Call for Project Leads and Pilot Projects Proposals – due 1/16/2026
The Delaware Center for Musculoskeletal Research (DCMR) is pleased to announce two funding opportunities.
The Delaware Center for Musculoskeletal Research (DCMR) is a NIH Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE). The Delaware Center for Musculoskeletal Research (DCMR) supports basic and preclinical research on the central theme of musculoskeletal health—from the level of the entire body to the actions of key cells and molecules—with emphasis on understanding the mechanisms by which physical and biological cues influence tissue structure and normal function and dysfunction, and identifying potential therapeutic interventions.
The Delaware Center for Musculoskeletal Research (DCMR) includes a Research Core to maximize the success and impact of researchers by providing state-of-the-art equipment and support to apply and assess physical cues and biological signals. The Research Core supports multimodal and live animal imaging, mechanical loading and measurement, preclinical biophysical models, and histological assessment. We have multiple partnering research cores and centers, including Bioimaging, MRI, Flow Cytometry, Biostatistics, and others.
Project Proposals for a new Project Lead ($150,000 / year for up to 3 years). Letter of Intent due 1/5/2026. Full proposals are due on 01/16/2026. We will fund 2 new Projects. Apply Now
Eligibility: The Research Project Lead must qualify either as an NIH Early Stage Investigator (ESI) https://grants.nih.gov/policy-and-compliance/policy-topics/early-stage-investigators or New Investigator (NI), hold a faculty appointment, and be leading their own independent research program. They must commit 6 person months effort annually. The RPL cannot receive simultaneous research support as a project lead from any other IDeA parent award (e.g., COBRE, INBRE, CTR).
Pilot Proposals ($50,000 / year for 1 year). Letter of Intent due 1/5/2026, full proposals are due on 1/16/2026. We will fund 2 new Pilots. Apply Now
Eligibility: Faculty investigators of all ranks are eligible, but it is strongly encouraged that Early Stage and New Investigators be given priority for leading a Pilot Project. Individuals holding postdoctoral, trainee, or similar non-independent positions are not eligible to lead COBRE Pilot Projects.
Funding Available
The Delaware Center for Musculoskeletal Research (DCMR) is pleased to announce Core Access Vouchers available to assist musculoskeletal research investigators.
The Core Center Access Voucher, supported by NIGMS-NIH COBRE, P20 GM139760, is available to assist musculoskeletal research investigators in conducting:
- small pilot studies
- obtaining preliminary data for grant applications
- testing proof of concept; or
- providing additional data for publication
Core Access Funds for 2025 –up to $2K available to be spent by December 31, 2025. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Funds are available to access core facilities including the DCMR Research Core (including multimodal imaging, preclinical development, biomechanics and histology). Funds can also be used at collaborating cores including CBBI, DBI Bioimaging, Flow Cytometry and Single Cell Core, DNA Sequencing, and the Bioinformatics Data Science Core.
Application can be found here and should be submitted to Mary Boggs at mboggs@udel.edu.
Contact Mary Boggs or Lori May with questions.