In this edition:

Feature

Special Opportunities

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.

Job Posting

Clinical Research Nurse (Part-time)

Clinical investigators from the Emory School of Medicine Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics are looking for a clinical research nurse to engage with them in conducting clinical assessments, medical screening and chart reviews as part of a Phase II clinical trial of an experimental non-hormonal medication to treat vasomotor symptoms of menopause.  If you are a clinical research nurse licensed in the state of Georgia (and in particular with experience in the Emory Healthcare system, including with EPIC and OnCore), please see the announcement and email Dr. Anne Dunlop to apply.

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.

Research!America Civic & Public Engagement Funding Opportunities - Apply by November 21

Graduate students, postdocs, and professional students in STEMM with an interest in community outreach, public policy, or science communication are invited to apply for Research!America’s 2025–2026 Civic Engagement Microgrant Program. Funding of up to $4,000 is available for public engagement projects, including science policy group startups, STEMM community events, nonpartisan dialogues, and digital media initiatives. Research!America is also offering Public Engagement Content Awards with stipends up to $5,000 to support development of civic science training materials.

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.

Emory University Research Committee (URC) RFP - Due January 17

Emory URC supports early career faculty, advanced faculty who wish to engage novel questions that enhance their expertise, and teams who seek to transcend the boundaries of their respective disciplines and undertake transformative research. Eligible faculty can apply for one year of funding during the 2026-2027 cycle. Typically, 30-38 awards are made across all 6 URC categories. Register for information session on November 6 via Zoom. Learn more.

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 - December 4-5

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.

Frontiers in Emerging, Re-Emerging, and Zoonotic Diseases - Apply by December 14

Apply for the NIH/NIAID-sponsored FrERZD course, Feb. 15-20 at Ponce Health Sciences University. This immersive program offers hands-on lab training, expert lectures, and career development for early-career researchers in infectious diseases. Participants will gain skills to better predict, prevent, and respond to emerging health threats. Full financial aid available. View Flyer.

ASOM Faculty Research Mentor Training Series - Register by December 15

Registration is open for the Spring 2026 Faculty Research Mentor Training Series, running January 26/27–March 2/3, 2026. Sessions will be held Mondays from 2:00-3:30 PM (in person, location TBD) and Tuesdays from 5:30–7:00 PM (via Zoom), offering flexible options with identical content each week. Topics include effective mentorship, cultural awareness, professional development, and fostering wellbeing. The series is open to Emory faculty.

Virtual CPTS Course Available to Non-Degree Students: Biostatistics for Translational Research - Apply by January 5

Emory faculty and postdocs are invited to enroll in CPTS 502 – Biostatistics for Translational Research, a 2-credit virtual spring semester course which is part of the curriculum in the Certificate Program in Translational Science (CPTS) in the Laney Graduate School.  This semester-long course introduces statistical concepts and analytical methods with special attention to data encountered in the biomedical sciences and biotechnology as well as translational research. The course will meet via Zoom on Tuesdays from 1:00-2:50 PM from January 13 – May 27. Tuition support is not available; however, faculty and postdocs at Emory may be eligible for the Emory Courtesy Scholarship if employed for at least one year. Tuition can also be covered by departmental funds, if available. For more information and instructions on how to apply to the Laney Graduate School as a non-degree student, contact Rachel Hardison.

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.

Research Resources

Online HIV Research Document Library

The Center for AIDS Research at Emory University (Emory CFAR) created a new resource designed for early-career HIV investigators. The HIV Research Document Library is a free, publicly accessible database of more than 300 documents from a range of funded study designs. It provides investigators with examples of successful study protocols, detailed procedures successfully implemented by seasoned investigators, and other documentation to support the development of their own study design. This library also serves as a connector between collaborators and funding organizations. 

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 - Due December 1

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.

Bench2Market: Accelerating Commercialization When There's No Playbook - December 10

Join Biolocity’s Bench2Market Talk on December 10 from 12:00–1:00 PM, where early-stage teams will learn how to navigate uncertainty, define roles, build trust, and accelerate commercialization of academic innovations. Register now to receive the Zoom link and actionable strategies for launching first-of-its-kind products.

ACME POCT GLUE Webinar: The Language of Innovation - December 16

Join ACME POCT for a virtual GLUE presentation on December 16th from 12:00-1:00 PM, featuring Dr. Lokesh Guglani and Dr. W. Hong Yeo discussing how clinician–engineer collaboration drives impactful medical device development. This session will cover communication strategies, common barriers, and lessons from a wearable pediatric stethoscope case study. View Flyer.

Capstone Design Project Submissions - Apply by December 19

Georgia Tech’s BME Capstone Design program is accepting Spring 2026 project submissions from healthcare professionals, industry members, and academic researchers. The program connects innovators with student teams to develop actionable solutions that advance patient care. Early submissions are encouraged to allow for project scoping and coordination. Submit Project.

Events

Grand Rounds: Artificial Intelligence and Clinical Transformation - December 1

Join the ENACT Network on Monday, December 1, at 3:00 PM ET via Zoom for Grand Rounds featuring Dr. Philip R.O. Payne, Chief Health AI Officer for BJC Healthcare and Washington University Medicine. Dr. Payne will present “Artificial Intelligence and Clinical Transformation,” highlighting AI-driven approaches to biomolecular and clinical phenotype discovery, EHR-based interventions and decision support, human factors in healthcare IT, and advanced data-sharing platforms that enable high-value, agile care and research environments.

ATLANTIS Network Core Connections: Social Hour - December 3

Join ATLANTIS for a networking social hour on December 3 from 4:30-5:30 PM in HSRB-II N600 to strengthen collaborations among Kidney, Urology, and Hematology researchers across Atlanta. Register by November 30. Food will be provided, and parking will be validated. View Flyer.

Southeast Regional Clinical and Translational Science Conference - March-11-13

Join us 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!