Pilot Project Program Overview

In December 2023, CHANGE launched our first Pilot Project Cohort, an 18-month training program in which participants conduct their proposed and approved pilot project (months 1-12) and write a grant proposal (months 13-18).

In January 2025, the second cohort of CHANGE Scientists began the 18-month program, presenting their pilot study proposals and receiving feedback from mentor teams and observing an NIH-style mock grant review of Cohort 1 Scientist’s grant proposals.

The goals of the CHANGE Pilot Studies are:

1. To encourage junior investigators to pursue aging health disparities research, especially with our priority populations;
2. To publish articles on their research in peer-reviewed journals; and
3. To obtain NIH and other external funding.

The participants completed their prerequisite training and continue to meet with their mentors on a regular basis to carry out their pilot study experimental designs. The first CHANGE training meeting took place in-person on December 14-15, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. During the meeting, investigators presented and received feedback on their pilot study proposals, met with their mentorship teams, and completed a mini-course on community outreach and engagement.