In this edition:

Feature

Special Opportunities

Translational Science 2026 Awards - Due November 18

Do you know an investigator, educator, trainee, or team making major strides in clinical and translational science? Celebrate their work by submitting a nomination for the 2026 Translational Science Awards before November 18. Awards span multiple categories to recognize innovation, mentorship, leadership, and scientific impact.

Rare Diseases Are Not Rare! 2025 Challenge Prize Competition - Apply by January 2

More than 10,000 known rare diseases affect millions of people across the US. We want to help raise awareness about rare diseases, the people, and families they impact and the need for research and development of treatment strategies for addressing multiple rare diseases at a time. Whether through visual art, photography, music or another artistic medium, your work can inspire action and shine a light on the rare disease community.

Funding (*New Opportunities)

Clinical Trial Readiness for Rare Diseases, Disorders, and Syndromes - Due Dates Vary

NOFO invites researchers to submit applications for support of clinical projects that address critical needs for clinical trial readiness in rare diseases. The initiative seeks applications that are intended to facilitate rare diseases research by enabling efficient and effective movement of candidate therapeutics or diagnostics toward clinical trials and to increase their likelihood of success. This could be through the development and testing of rigorous biomarkers and clinical outcome assessment measures or by defining the presentation and course of a rare disease to enable the design of upcoming clinical trials.

Emory/Georgia TRAC Pilot Grants - Proposals Due October 17

The Emory/Georgia TB Research Advancement Center (TRAC) announces Request for Applications to support TB-related research by early-stage and investigators new to TB. Due to recent changes, investigators at international partners are not eligible to apply. Questions? Email TRAC.

Emory SOM P4 Research Catalyst Track Awards RFA - Due November 10

The Dean of Emory SOM, in partnership with Winship, Emory Pediatrics and Children's, Emory at Grady, and CFAR, invites applications for the P4 Pivot Program. The P4 Research Catalyst Track Awards provide up to $100,000 in total direct costs over two years to support SOM faculty pivoting their research toward emerging federal funding priorities. Proposals should be novel, impactful, and represent a new research direction. NOTE: Log in to view award details.

Environmental Health Sciences Pilot Grants - LOI Due December 5

Join the HERCULES Exposome Research Center for an information session on November 4, 12:00-1:00 PM in CNR 6001 or via Zoom to learn about the 2026-2027 Environmental Health Sciences Pilot Project Program. The program funds developmental projects in environmental health sciences aligned with the NIEHS mission, with awards of $30,000 each. Letter of intent is due December 5 and full applications are due February 2. View Flyer.

NIH Common Fund Launches the Complement-ARIE Reduction to Practice Prize - Phase I Due: March 1

The NIH Common Fund has teamed up with NASA’s Tournament Lab to launch the Reduction to Practice Challenge, a shared $7M total prize competition inviting innovative New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) solutions that demonstrate integrated, human-based platforms in a practical form within three years. The challenge includes three phases: proof of concept and feasibility studies, prototype development with milestone achievements, and prototype delivery for independent validation. 

Education and Training

Phlebotomy 101 Training - October 30-31

Phlebotomy 101 is a two-day introductory classroom and clinical hands-on training that teaches the techniques of venipuncture. Led by the GCRC nurses, the course is offered to Georgia-CTSA affiliated partners. View 2025 Phlebotomy 101 Training Schedule.

Georgia CTSA KL2 Program - Apply by February 2

Accepting applications for the Georgia CTSA KL2 Clinical & Translational Research Career Development Program supporting junior faculty committed to careers in clinical and translational research and science. Scholars receive salary support, $30,000 for research expenses, tuition for didactic programs, and up to two years of mentored training to become independent investigators. Applications are due February 2.

Georgia CTSA TL1 Program - Apply by February 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). Accepted trainees receive stipend support, tuition for MSCR or CPTS coursework, travel funds, and training-related expenses. Applicants are encouraged to attend Application Workshop on October 30. Register.

Research Resources

President's Award of Distinction for Team Science - Due November 17

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Presidents’ Award of Distinction for Team Science, which recognizes outstanding multi-disciplinary Georgia CTSA research teams making innovative and impactful contributions to clinical and translational science. The winning team will receive $5,000 and be recognized at the 2026 Southeast Regional Clinical and Translational Conference. Apply Now. View Flyer. 

Team Science Award of Distinction for Early-Stage Research Teams - Due November 17

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.

Innovation and Translation

Biolocity Funding 2026-2027

The 2026-2027 Biolocity funding cycle is open for early-stage biomedical innovations from Georgia Tech and Emory with the potential to impact human health. Biolocity provides non-dilutive funding, project management support, and expert commercial guidance to help advance promising technologies toward market readiness. Georgia Tech-led proposals are limited to teams with a PI in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, while Emory-led proposals remain open to all departments.

ATDC Office Hours - October 28

The Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) at Emory will host office hours from 11:30 AM–1:30 PM at the Health Sciences Research Building-II (outside Lab2Launch, Room S125). Drop in to learn about ATDC programs and resources, explore funding opportunities, ask questions about startup growth, and enjoy light refreshments while networking.

Bioentrepreneurship Networking - November 20

Join Emory SOM for final Bioentrepreneurship Networking Founders event of the year on November 20, 4:30-6:00 PM, HSRB-II, 6th floor, N600 (in person). Featured speaker Dr. James Dahlman will share insights on translating academic work into a startup, followed by Q&A and networking with faculty, students, and local biotech professionals. Food provided and all are welcome. Please RSVP to attend.

Community

Breast Cancer Awareness Walk - October 30

Join Morehouse Medicine and the AUCC Student Health and Wellness Center for the Third Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk on October 30, 12:30 PM (assemble at 12:15 PM) at Morehouse Medicine, 455 Lee Street SW, Atlanta, GA. This free community event invites participants to wear pink, walk in honor of loved ones, and show support for breast cancer awareness. View Flyer.

Events

ENACT Network Grand Rounds: NLP - October 20

Dr. Yanshan Wang, Director of the Clinical Natural Language Processing and Artificial Intelligence Innovation Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh, will present “Development and Validation of Natural Language Processing Algorithms in the National ENACT Network” at 3:00 PM via Zoom. He will discuss how the ENACT NLP Working Group developed and deployed algorithms for rare diseases, social determinants of health, opioid use disorder, and more across 13 sites.

Speed Networking: Inflammation - November 6

Join faculty across the Georgia CTSA on Thursday, November 6, from 11:30 AM-1:00 PM via Zoom for a fast-paced virtual networking session focused on inflammation. Emceed by Dr. Bob Taylor, MD, researchers will present their work in 4 minutes or less, followed by collaborative discussion. Open to clinicians and researchers interested in new partnerships. Please note that presenter spots are full; however, non-presenters are welcome to attend. View Flyer.

Pilot Grant Writing Workshop - November 10

Join Georgia CTSA via Zoom for a workshop on preparing compelling pilot grant proposals on November 10, from 8:30-10:30 AM. Learn tips to strengthen your applications from expert panelists across Emory, Georgia Tech, and UGA, with keynote speaker Dr. Camille Vaughan, MD. View Flyer.

Informatics Lunch and Learn: Aging Solo - November 12

Join us on November 12 from 12:00-1:00 PM for a virtual Lunch & Learn featuring Jane Lowers, PhD, MPA. She will present “Aging Solo: A Multidisciplinary, Mixed-Methods Approach to a Hard-to-Find Population.” Dr. Lowers will discuss her work exploring individuals aging without family support and the role of community networks in helping them live independently. View Flyer.

Blue Sky Group: Nutrition - November 17

Join researchers and clinicians for a Blue Sky Group on Nutrition from 10:30 AM-12:00 PM via Zoom. Led by Dr. Jessica Alvarez, a leading researcher on the role of nutrition and body composition on metabolism in chronic diseases, this interactive discussion will cover burning issues, funding opportunities, and cross-institutional collaborative research opportunities. Share your experience, network, and find collaborators! View Flyer.

12th Annual Marcus Visiting Professor Lecture - November 20

The Marcus Society invites you to the 12th Annual Marcus Visiting Professor Lecture featuring Dr. Matthew State, Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco. He will present “Transforming the Clinical-Translational Research Landscape of Severe Forms of Autism Spectrum Disorder” at 3:00 PM in the Rollins Auditorium, Emory Health Sciences Research Building I (1760 Haygood Drive). Reception to follow. You can also join via Zoom, link on the flyer. RSVP by November 14. View Flyer.

Southeast Regional Clinical and Translational Science Conference - March-11-13, Abstracts Due November 10

Researchers working across the region are invited to submit an abstract by November 10 for the 2026 Southeast Regional Clinical and Translational Science Conference, March 11-13, at Callaway Resort and Gardens. This event brings together cross-disciplinary researchers and clinicians from across the region to present cutting-edge health-related research with national impact. Meet new collaborators and network with leaders in the field! View flyer.