ROCKY MOUNTAIN REACH 2024 PILOT AWARD

2025 RMT-REACH Pilot Award Preapplication Submissions Open

Preapplications are due by Friday, February 7, 2025 at 5:00pm MT. For submission information and to learn more about this funding opportunity, please read the RFA attached or visit our website.

This 2025 Pilot Research Funding Announcement (RFA) seeks proposals that will support the translational advancement of promising health innovations. The program supports proof-of-concept and go-to-market strategy activities through milestone-driven funding. Supported innovations may span the spectrum of health outcomes, including therapeutics, preventatives, diagnostics, devices, methods, or research tools that move the needle forward on unmet patient and public health needs. 

RMT-REACH intends to fund four pilot projects with up to $50,000 in direct costs each in this application cycle.

 

Principal investigator Eligibility

Principal Investigators (PIs) must meet the eligibility requirements outlined by their academic institution. For example, PIs from the University of Montana must meet the eligibility requirements outlined by the Office of Sponsored Programs at UM.

RMT-REACH Pilot Awards are open to faculty, staff, postdoctoral researchers, and undergraduate and graduate students affiliated with an academic institution in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, or Wyoming.

Students and postdoctoral researchers must identify a faculty sponsor. Collaborators from non-academic institutions are eligible to apply with an eligible Principal Investigator. 

Cross-disciplinary and multi-institutional teams are encouraged to apply. 

 

  • This award is open to faculty, staff, and postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate students; trainees must identify a faculty sponsor
  • Eligible Investigators must be affiliated with an academic institution in Montana, Alaska, Idaho, or Wyoming
  • Collaborators from external institutions are eligible to apply with an Eligible Investigator 

Applications should focus on explaining how RMT-REACH funds would improve chances of success in translating the innovation into clinical practice. Proposals will be evaluated for both scientific merit and product development potential, with emphasis on the following criteria: 

  • Translational potential
  • Unmet need (high disease burden/health disparities) and clinical impact
  • Research/Development status and planning 

In addition to receiving proof-of-concept funding, an RMT-REACH Project Manager will be assigned to support the recruitment of domain experts for development and advise on strategies to make products widely accessible. Awardees will also have access to an array of experts ranging from regulatory strategy, intellectual property, market analysis, and follow-on, non-dilutive grant development.  

Accepted projects will be invited to submit the full application by Friday, May 31st at 5:00 PM Mountain Time. For more information on the application timeline, please review the full RFA.

submitting an loi

Letter of Intent submissions will be accepted online only. More eligibility and award information can be found in the video below. If you have questions about LOI/Cohort eligibility, please contact rmtreach@umontana.edu

This project is supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institutes of Health, through Grant Number U01GM152530