Osher Pilot Research Awards
2025 Osher Research Grant Funding Opportunity-Guidelines for Full Application Submission
Please find below the specific guidelines and instructions for submitting a full proposal.
Deadline: Applications are due on May 12th, 2025 by 5 PM US Central Time.
Please submit all required application through Competitions:
https://competitions.fsm.northwestern.edu/grants/osher-pilot
Full Application Required Documents
Please submit one PDF document containing the following components, in order:
1. Cover letter (1 page) – please address how your proposed project meets the review criteria and addresses the mission and research interests/strategic themes of the Osher Center for Integrative Health.
2. Title page (1 page), including:
- Title of the proposed research project
- Applicant's Name, Department/Division, Hospital affiliation, FSM professional appointment, office or laboratory address, phone number, and e-mail address.
3. Scientific Proposal (Maximum 5 pages)
Format: Single-spaced, Arial 11-point font, 0.5” margins. Proposal must include all figures and tables within the 5-page limit. References may be listed separately.
Sections:
- Background/Significance (include preliminary data if relevant)
- Specific Aims and Hypotheses
- Innovation
- Research Approach (include clear study design and procedures, experimental details, timeline, detailed analysis plan, plans for future funding, contributions of each team member).
4. Biosketch(es) of Principal Investigator, co-investigators, and significant key personnel in NIH format.
Eligibility & Criteria
The Osher Center for Integrative Health at Northwestern University supports innovative, inclusive, and impactful research that advances whole-person health. This funding opportunity invites proposals that align with the Osher Center’s mission and research focus areas, and foster collaborative, cross-disciplinary inquiry.
We seek scientifically rigorous projects that demonstrate innovation and collaboration across disciplines. Proposals may include:
- Pilot studies generating essential preliminary data
- Novel, integrative medicine aims added to existing funded research
- Efforts to sustain momentum in promising ongoing work
Priority will be given to projects with high potential for external funding.
All members of the Northwestern research community—including postdoctoral fellows, research faculty, and clinician-researchers—are eligible to apply. Individuals may serve as Principal Investigator (PI) on only one submission.
Selection Process
Applications will undergo a formal peer review by the Osher Center Pilot Grant Review Committee. Top-scoring proposals will be further evaluated by the Osher Center Leadership Team. Final funding decisions will be announced following this review. Please note: written critiques will not be provided, and all materials will remain confidential.
Reciprocity Requirements
Awardee Expectations
Successful applicants will be expected to:
- Participate in a progress update meeting at 6 months
- Present their work—via oral or poster format—at the IPHAM Research Day or another venue that highlights Osher Center-supported research, either during or at the conclusion of the one-year funding period
- Notify the Osher Center of any additional grants received that stem from this pilot funding
- Acknowledge the Osher Center for Integrative Health in all resulting publications and notify Osher Center staff upon submission of such manuscripts
Indirect Cost Policy
Requested budgets must be for a one-year period, between $15,000 and $50,000, with a project start date of July 1st, 2025. No indirect costs will be allowed by this grant, including any indirect costs associated with sub-awards. PI’s may use funds for any purpose that is deemed necessary and sufficiently justified to successfully carry out this research.
Contact Us
Questions about eligibility and the application process may be sent to the Osher Center research coordinator.