Pilot Awards

WiNSC seeks applications that will explore new ideas in the basic biology of aging and the role of metabolism in aging. The purpose of the Pilot Award program is to competitively offer directed funds to explore new and innovative ideas and concepts. Applications from early‑stage investigators or established investigators pivoting their research toward mechanisms of aging are particularly encouraged.

All applications must include experimental design and analyses that use WiNSC Research Cores, services, and platforms. Pilot Awards function as service‑based vouchers.

These awards are open to applicants from any U.S. academic or research institution.

Inquiries regarding WiNSC awards can be directed to WiNSC Program Manager Alicia Weich at winsc@medicine.wisc.edu.

Pilot Award Flyer (PDF)
Download a one‑page overview of the current Pilot Award call, including eligibility, deadlines, and key program requirements.

Application Timeline
• Letter of Intent (LOI) due: June 26, 2026
• Full application due: July 31, 2026

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How Applications Are Reviewed

WiNSC uses a multi‑stage review process designed to ensure that funded projects are well aligned with our mission, technically feasible within available Core services, and positioned to generate meaningful scientific outcomes.

1. Letter of Intent (LOI) Screening

All applications begin with a Letter of Intent (LOI). LOIs are reviewed by WiNSC leadership to assess:

• Alignment with the basic biology of aging and metabolism
• Fit with WiNSC’s scientific priorities
• Appropriateness of the proposed use of WiNSC Research Cores

The LOI stage supports early thematic screening and helps to identify appropriate expertise in the evaluating study section.

2. Feasibility and Scope Assessment

Invited full applications are evaluated for:

• Technical feasibility using existing WiNSC Core services
• Appropriate project scope for a pilot‑scale effort
• Budget accuracy and alignment with Core service rates and the service‑only (voucher‑based) funding model

Consultation with relevant Core leaders prior to full submission is absolutely required.

3. Scientific and Programmatic Review

Applications are reviewed using criteria that reflect best practices across the Nathan Shock Center network, including:

• Scientific merit, innovation, and feasibility
• Relevance to the WiNSC mission and effective use of WiNSC Research Cores
• Likelihood that the project will generate publishable results and/or support future external funding (e.g., NIH/NIA grants)
• Appropriateness of the project for the investigator’s career stage, particularly for early‑stage or new‑to‑aging investigators

4. Funding Outcomes

Based on this review, applications may be:

• Selected for a full Pilot Award
• Invited to revise or pivot to a smaller, more focused award mechanism when appropriate
• Referred to shared or partner funding opportunities when alignment exists
• Declined if they are not a good fit for available mechanisms

Final funding decisions are made by WiNSC leadership following review and confirmation of feasibility and scope.

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Application Process

Step One: Letter of Intent (LOI)

Applicants must first submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) for review by the Administrative Core to ensure that proposals fall within the mission and scientific goals of WiNSC. Applicants are encouraged to connect with the leaders of the Cores hosting the services they plan to engage before submitting a full application.

The LOI is a one‑page document that will later serve as the cover page for the full application. Each LOI must include:

• Proposal title
• Principal Investigator(s): name, degree, position, academic institution, department
• Abstract: a brief synopsis of the proposed work and how it relates specifically to aging
• Future Development Statement: a brief statement describing how the pilot project will support future research advancement (e.g., grant submission, new avenue of research)

Letters of Intent should be emailed as a single PDF to winsc@medicine.wisc.edu with “Pilot Award LOI” in the subject line by June 26, 2026. Once received, applicants will receive an email acknowledgment. Eligible applicants will be invited via email to submit a full application.

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Step Two: Full Application

Invited applicants must submit a full application by July 31, 2026. The full application must be submitted as a single PDF and include the following elements:

• LOI cover page (see above)
• Biosketch (NIH format, maximum 5 pages)
• One‑page statement of the specific aims of the proposal
• Scientific Research Plan (maximum 4 pages, excluding references), which should:
  • Clearly state relevance to aging and metabolism
  • Describe translational potential and future development plans
• Budget and Justification (maximum 2 pages), including:
  • Project scope (e.g., sample numbers, mouse numbers, cell numbers)
  • WiNSC Core services and platforms to be used
  • Name of the WiNSC Core leader consulted
  • Brief budget justification
  • Summary of project planning and budget discussions with the relevant Core leader
• Applicants must include a brief Project Support Statement written by the applicant that addresses the following:
  • If appropriate, outline existing resources, facilities, collaborations, or institutional support that will help ensure successful completion of the proposed work.
  • If the requested WiNSC services are part of a larger funded project or ongoing collaboration, briefly describe where the pilot study fits within the parent program.
  • This statement does not require a letter of support from a department chair, dean, or other institutional official. This statement is intended to provide context for feasibility and project environment and should be concise.

Completed full applications should be emailed to winsc@medicine.wisc.edu with “Pilot Award Application” in the subject line.

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Application Format Requirements

• Arial, 11‑point font
• 0.5” margins
• Data elements must fit within stated page limits
• Figures and tables must use 9‑point font or larger
• Final submission must be a single PDF file

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Budget and Allowable Costs

• Maximum budget: Up to $30,000
• Project duration: 10 months

Allowable costs include:

• WiNSC Core services
• Specialty reagents or consumables required for Core services
• Mouse purchase and housing in Core facilities
• Biorepository fees for human samples

Not allowable:
Personnel salaries, general‑use laboratory reagents, equipment, or travel.

Pilot Awards function as service‑based vouchers; funds are used to cover approved WiNSC Core services rather than being transferred to investigators or institutions.

Since Pilot Awards function as service‑based vouchers used to support WiNSC Core services and platforms, the applicant’s institutional Research and Sponsored Programs office will generally not need to review or approve the budget or application.

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Awardee Responsibilities

Principal Investigators will:

• Submit a scientific progress report six months after the project start date
• Submit a final scientific and financial report within three months of project completion
• Participate in mentoring or check‑ins as needed
• Present their work at the WiNSC Annual Conference if requested
• Report publications, follow‑on funding, and new collaborations resulting from the pilot

Projects that do not meet interim milestones may be reviewed by the Administrative Core and the PI to establish an action plan or refocus project goals.