In this edition:

Feature

Funding (* New Opportunities)

HEAL Initiative-Early-Stage Discovery of New Pain Targets Within the Understudied Druggable Proteome – Due Dates Vary

NOFO solicits applications for pilot projects to identify new druggable targets for pain within the understudied druggable proteome. Awards will support generation of preliminary data and/or tools around eligible understudied protein(s) listed in this NOFO. This NOFO is intended to jumpstart research on understudied proteins within the context of pain and pain management and provide applicants with sufficient funding to perform basic biochemical and/or biological work to further the characterization of understudied proteins to identify new druggable targets for pain.

Preclinical Proof of Concept Studies for Rare Diseases — Due Dates Vary

Funding to conduct efficacy studies in an established rare disease preclinical model to demonstrate that a proposed therapeutic agent warrants further development. Therapeutic agents include small molecules, biologics or biotechnology-derived products. Goal is to spur therapeutic development for a variety of rare diseases by advancing projects to the point where they would attract subsequent investment supporting IND application development or progression to clinical trials in the case of repurposing or repositioning.

Georgia CTSA Pilot Grants – LOI Due January 15

The Georgia CTSA Pilot Grants Program is now accepting proposals to support innovative translational and clinical research. Awards of up to $40,000 for single-institution projects and $50,000 for multi-institution collaborations are available. Proposals addressing health equity and interdisciplinary collaborations are strongly encouraged. Letters of Intent Due: January 15 by 5:00 PM. Proposals Due: March 3 by 5:00 PM.

University Research Committee RFP — Proposals Due January 17

The Emory University Research Committee (URC) invites faculty to submit proposals for the 2025-2026 funding cycle. The URC supports innovative research across six categories, including Arts, Biological and Health Sciences, and Social Sciences. Awards of up to $30,000 are available, with interdisciplinary projects eligible for up to $40,000. Join us November 6 at 12:00 PM for URC Grants Informational Session.

Samuel and Nancy Gordon GCRC Research Program RFP — Due March 3

The Samuel and Nancy Gordon Research Program is an endowed research fund to support studies broadly related to regenerative medicine with a particular interest in supporting work related to hematopoietic cells and immunotherapy. Applications broadly related to stem cell research will be accepted. Accepting applications for seed grants up to $40,000 each. A maximum of two awards will be made this round. Applications due by 5:00 PM ET on March 3.

‘* ENPRC Pilot Research Program – Proposals Due March 7

Emory National Primate Research Center (ENPRC) is seeking proposals for its 2025 Pilot Research Program. Awards provide up to $70,000 in direct costs for one or two years to support innovative research involving non-human primates. Early career investigators, external researchers, and those new to NHP research are encouraged to apply. Proposals must be submitted by 5 PM EST on March 7.

Awards Supporting Cutting-Edge Technologies for Translational Science (ASCETTS) – Due June 19

NCATS invites applications for the Awards Supporting Cutting-Edge Technologies for Translational Science (ASCETTS) NOFO to foster investigator-initiated development of highly innovative technologies to address barriers, limitations, or bottlenecks in translational science – particularly for therapeutic development. This program will support the early-stage proof of concept, high-risk and potentially high-reward studies for feasibility and exploratory technology development, which can transform or significantly improve the efficiency of therapeutic development to achieve NCATS ultimate goals - more treatments to all people more quickly. The research proposed should be for the development of technology that can break new ground or extend present technology toward new directions or novel applications.

Education and Training

Notice of Technical Webinar: NCATS Translational Science Education and Training Challenge Competition – January 28

NCATS will conduct a technical assistance webinar on Tuesday, January 28 at 2:00 ET for those interested in participating in the NCATS Translational Science Education and Training Challenge. The Challenge will identify, amplify and disseminate exemplary models of translational science education and training from across the nation to a broad national audience. Participants will have already designed and implemented exemplary translational science education and training opportunities that have the potential for broader dissemination. Submissions for the first round of this competition are due on April 30.

Call for Speakers: Physician Assistant GROW Webinar Series

The Morehouse School of Medicine’s Physician Assistant Studies Program is seeking speakers for the Georgia Rural Health Outreach Workforce (GROW) Webinar Series starting February 2025. This HRSA-funded initiative focuses on increasing the rural health workforce by providing MSM PA students with experiential education. We invite speakers to address a wide range of topics impacting rural communities.

Influential Mentoring Training Series

The Research Education Core at the Georgia CTSA is offering the Influential Mentoring Training Series, a monthly, hour-long interactive Zoom series for FACULTY ONLY from 12:00 – 1:00 PM on February 19, March 5, April 2. Led by Dr. Dawn Comeau, this series focuses on enhancing equitable mentorship for diverse trainees. Topics include assessing mentees’ understanding, using coaching approaches, evaluating mentorship, and adopting five practices for success. View Flyer.

Georgia CTSA KL2 Clinical and Translational Research Career Development Program – Apply by February 3

The goal of the KL2 Program is to support and enhance career development for junior faculty (MD, PhD, MD/PhD, PharmD) committed to a career in clinical and translational research (CTR) and clinical and translational science (CTS). Georgia CTSA is committed to assisting junior faculty at partner institutions to become independent, established, and ethical CTR and CTS investigators.

Georgia CTSA TL1 (T32-like) Clinical and Translational Research Training Grant - Predoc Due February 17, Postdoc Due March 17

The TL1 Program provides innovative didactic and mentored clinical and translational research (CTR) training to individuals interested in careers that encompass CTR and clinical and translational science (CTS). The program supports predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees (medical, PharmD, PhD students; resident, fellow physicians; PhD postdocs; and PharmD residents).

Research Resources

Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design (BERD) Consultation

Georgia CTSA’s BERD program provides free comprehensive biostatistical, epidemiological, and research design support for researchers. Emory: Submit a RAPID Request for a BERD Consult. Georgia Tech: every Monday from 10:30 to 11:30 AM in Groseclose 303 or Submit a RAPID Request . Register via Google form . MSM: every Friday from 10AM-12PM, virtual statistical consulting clinic via Zoom. Book appointment . UGA: every Tuesday from 11AM-12PM, virtual stat clinic via Zoom. Request a link .

AI Regulation Blog

Georgia CTSA launched a new blog on Regulatory Knowledge and Artificial Intelligence to stimulate opinion and insights on the ethical and political dimensions of regulating AI models. We welcome future bloggers!

Georgia CTSA Resources and Support Programs Guide

Are you a research investigator with an appointment at Emory, MSM, Georgia Tech, or UGA? This resource guide is for you! Take a look at the broad range of Georgia CTSA resources and support programs available including consult offerings, clinical/translational research & clinical trials, innovation & entrepreneurship, education & career development, grant writing, funding, collaboration, team science, databases, conferences, and more.

Call for Content Experts: Georgia CTSA TEAMS Mentoring Program

Georgia CTSA Match

Looking to connect with experts in your field? Join Georgia CTSA Match! The platform encourages meaningful networking and collaboration by pairing researchers based on similar interests. These matches will help you to build networking opportunities acting as a catalyst to spur your research forward. Discover more and Join Now!

Innovation & Translation

Call for Applications: Innovation Certificate Program – Deadline Extended to January 10

The Innovation Certificate Program is designed for clinicians to develop and enrich entrepreneurial skills and business knowledge for those interested in learning how to bring technologies to market. Launched in 2023, the program is expanding this year to include a partnership with Portal Innovations, a premier life science venture capital fund.

Bench2Market Talks: Protecting Your Innovation – January 15

Join this webinar from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM to learn the basics and strategies of intellectual property protection. Featuring Sarah Wilkening, PhD, and Daniel Bruzzone, JD, from Merchant & Gould, this session will provide valuable insights for innovators. A Q&A with tech transfer expert Dr. Kashmira Kulkarni will follow.

Bioentrepreneurship Networking — January 16

Join Emory SOM for first Bioentrepreneurship Networking event for 2025 on January 16, from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m., HSRB-II, 6th floor, N600! Guest speaker Michael Tanenbaum, JD, MS, Office of Technology Transfer will help us discover the ins and outs of intellectual property management and evaluation as he shares his insights from his experiences. Food will be provided.

Biomedical Data Science Innovation Lab Applications — Due January 31

The 2025 Biomedical Data Science Innovation Lab, themed "Quantitative Approaches in Spatial Multi-Omics for Guiding Personalized Medicine," will take place June 16-20 in Nashville. Early-career biomedical and data science researchers are encouraged to apply . Travel and lodging are covered for selected participants. A virtual Seminar Series is open to all.

Community

2025 NAACFRC Community-Engaged Research Conference – Proposals Due January 10

The NAACFRC Conference will be held June 12 at Morehouse College in Atlanta. Presenting your work provides an opportunity to build your professional network and share timely, relevant research with a diverse audience. You can present as an individual or as part of a team. This year’s conference theme is Laboring Together: Community-Engaged Research for Economic Justice. The conference will showcase innovative research approaches, stories of successful research collaborations, lessons learned, and more. Deadline to submit proposals: January 10 at 11:59 PM ET.

27th Annual HeLa Symposium – January 23

The symposium, "Shedding Light, Saving Lives: MSM Symposium on Maternal Mortality," is taking place on Thursday, January 23 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at MSM Auditorium. Advancing maternal health equity through research, collaboration, and innovation is Part 1 of a two-part symposium series. Stay tuned for Part 2 details! In partnership with Merck For Mothers. This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 credit. RSVP by January 16. View flyer .

Georgia CTSA Community Engagement Biennial Forum – April 22 & 23

Save the date for the Georgia CTSA Community Engagement 2025 Biennial Forum, which will take place from April 22-23, 2025. Stay tuned for details including location, agenda, speakers, and more.

Events

Blue Sky Group: Pain Research — January 13

Join researchers and clinicians from across the Georgia CTSA for a Blue Sky Group session focused on Pain Research on January 13 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM via Zoom. Led by Dr. Anna Woodbury, an expert in chronic pain and pain management, this session is a unique opportunity to drive the agenda and explore interdisciplinary collaborations. Topics will include pressing issues in pain research, funding opportunities, and potential cross-institutional partnerships. View Flyer.

Informatics Lunch & Learn: Epic Cosmos – January 29

Join Georgia CTSA’s Informatics program virtually on Wednesday, January 29, from 12:00-1:00 PM. Gabriel Najarro, PA-C, Emory, will discuss how Emory & Children’s faculty can use Epic Cosmos to access 280+ million de-identified patient records to perform clinical and public health research. View Flyer .

Southeast Regional Conference – March 5-7

Join us at Callaway Resort and Gardens for the Southeast Regional Clinical and Translational Science Conference . The conference will feature Keynote Speakers Michael Kurilla, MD, PhD, Director, Division of Clinical Innovation, NCATS, and Pearl A. McElfish, PhD, MBA, MS, Director, Institute for Community Health Innovation, UAMS, a new Tools & Technology Showcase, interactive session on using AI to lighten your load, opportunities for networking, collaboration, and more. Book your stay by January 28 to secure group rates. View Flyer.

Epic Cosmos Datathon – March 21

Collaborate with clinicians, researchers, and data scientists in using Epic Cosmos' de-identified EHR database encompassing over 280 million patient records. This intensive event from 11AM-6PM in Emory SOM will empower participants to dive into real-world health data, tackle pressing research questions, and aim for rapid research publication. With guidance from clinical subject matter experts and Epic staff, teams will explore themes ranging from chronic conditions and health disparities to cutting-edge treatments and rare diseases. Non-Epic users are invited to join us for the overview from 11:00AM-Noon and 4:30-6:00PM for team presentations, awards and cocktails. View flyer .

Physician Scientist Symposium — April 4 (Abstracts Due January 31)

The inaugural Emory Physician Scientist Symposium will occur in HSRB I and II. Symposium is a collaboration across Physician Scientist Training Programs at Emory for anyone with clinical training who devotes time to clinical, basic, or translational research. The symposium will provide career development and scientific networking opportunities for a diverse group of medical students, residents, fellows, and faculty across SOM and our Health Systems. Submit Abstracts . View Flyer.

Translational Science 2025 - April 14–17

The Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS) hosts Translational Science 2025: Integrating Data to Power Translation held at the Washington Hilton with scientific sessions and networking with leaders in translational science and clinical research. Early bird rates end Tuesday, February 11.

Save the Date: 11th Annual Health Services Research Day – May 6 (Abstracts Due March 3)

Join us for this symposium and networking opportunity where researchers across Georgia will learn about ongoing quality, effectiveness, and value-based research activities. Health services research examines access to health care, how it is organized and delivered, costs, and outcomes. Keynote Speaker: Jennifer (Jen) DeVoe, MD, DPhil, Chair, Family Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University. Abstracts Due: March 3. Stay tuned for more details!