The purpose of the PCTCS program is to develop, monitor, and expand a process to facilitate and support pilot and collaborative translational and clinical studies that result in increased institutional and community-based trans-disciplinary research with a goal of improved health. Our strategy is to bring all IIMS pilot and collaborative study review and funding decisions into a single mechanism to allow maximum flexibility and programmatic balance. In addition to investigator-initiated applications, the PCTCS will also support the review and funding of applications submitted in response to RFAs from other IIMS groups.
The Institute for Integration of Medicine & Science (IIMS) is issuing two separate and distinct pilot project RFAs – one for Clinical Translational Research (CTR) and one for Clinical Translational Science (CTS). It is essential that applicants understand the differences between these two pilot programs and apply only to the one most appropriate for their project. It is not allowed to submit the same project for both the CTR and CTS programs. Please contact us with any questions. The following table provides the key features of CTR vs. CTS, as well as examples of each.
| Clinical Translational Research (CTR) vs. Clinical Translational Science (CTS) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Project Features | Clinical Translational Research | Clinical Translational Science |
| Definition | A specific effort to move a discovery (e.g., a new drug or diagnostic) from the lab to patients | A broader approach to the principles, processes, and barriers (e.g., recruitment, data issues) across the translational spectrum to make the system more effective for studying any disease, not just one. |
| Focus | A specific project or disease | The overall translation process, common barriers, and generalizable strategies |
| Goal | To develop a new diagnostic, therapy, or procedure for patients (e.g., a new cancer drug) | To understand why research fails and create innovations (tools, methods, policies) to overcome these challenges for many diseases |
| Process | Move discoveries through translational stages (e.g., lab to clinic; clinic to community) | Study the “how” and “why” of translation itself (e.g., data sharing, trial design, recruitment) |
| Example | A clinical trial testing if a new compound is safe and effective in humans | A new platform for improved patient recruitment or use of new data formats that work across different disease research projects |
| Analogy | Making an apple pie | Figuring how to make all pies faster and better |
| Key Difference | The application to achieve a specific health outcome | Study of the translational process to improve efficiency for all research |
| To Apply | SurveyMonkey Apply (CTR) | SurveyMonkey Apply (CTS) |
| Pilot Project Application Deadlines | ||
|---|---|---|
| Task | Due Date | Link |
| Letter of Intent (CTR) | January 19, 2026 (deadline extended) | SurveyMonkey Apply |
| Letter of Intent (CTS) | January 19, 2026 (deadline extended) | SurveyMonkey Apply |
| Full Application (CTR) | March 9, 2026 | SurveyMonkey Apply |
| Pilot Project Application Forms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Form | Link | |
| Research Summary | Research Summary Form | If needed |
| Research Plan | Research Plan Form | Required |
| Literature Citations | Literature Citation Form | Required |
| NIH Biosketch Form | Biosketch (Link to NIH) | Required |
| Study Data Collection Form | Clinical Research Services | If needed |
If you have any questions, feel free to send us an email – iims-ctsa@uthscsa.edu