Call for proposals: CPHR Research Projects
The University of Montana’s Center for Population Health Research (CPHR), a Phase 2 NIH Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE), will support one or more Research Projects to represent the next phase of our growing community of investigators. Note that this funding opportunity is distinct from our pilot project program. Research Projects are multi-year projects funded up to $150,000 in direct costs per year. Research Project Leaders (RPLs) are expected to allocate a substantial portion (~50% grant-supported) of their overall effort to the project. Applications must describe a research project that fits well with the scientific theme of CPHR. Preference will be given to projects that will make good use of one or more CPHR Core Facilities at the University of Montana.
Eligibility
RPLs must qualify either as a NIH Early Stage Investigator (ESI) or as a New Investigator (NI)*, must hold faculty appointments (or equivalent at research institutes), and lead their own research programs.
If you are interested in applying, you are strongly encouraged to contact Curtis Noonan (curtis.noonan@umontana.edu) to discuss program fit and eligibility status. Key dates are indicated below.
Key deadlines
- Letter of Intent with Specific Aims page due: 5:00 pm MST on May 25, 2026
- Notification to submit full application: May 29, 2026
- Applications due: 5:00 pm MST on July 13, 2026
- Anticipated CPHR Selection Date: August 25, 2026
- Anticipated Project Period: October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2029
Letter of Intent
The required Letter of Intent is limited to 2 pages or less. The first page should briefly explain the proposed research and how it fits within the CPHR scientific theme. The first page should also briefly describe how the project will utilize one or more of the CPHR Core Facilities. The second page should be an NIH-style Specific Aims page. Letters must be emailed to Desirae Ware (desirae.ware@mso.umt.edu) no later than 5:00 pm MST on May 25, 2026.
* A new investigator or early-stage investigator is defined as a junior investigator who does not have, or has not previously had an external, peer-reviewed Research Project Grant (RPG) or Program Project Grant (PPG) support from either Federal or non-Federal sources for which the individual is named as the PD/PI. A PI may have held an R03, R15, R21, R00, training or mentored-career award (including NSF CAREER), and retain status as a new investigator.
CPHR Pilot Announcements - Coming Soon!