The Engineering in Medicine pilot project program is designed to support innovative and collaborative research between the Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) and the Purdue University College of Engineering. The overarching goal of the research collaboration is to develop novel technologies that will lead to innovative approaches and engineered systems for improved patient care. We expect research teams to propose tackling significant and collaborative research questions that would not be feasible through individual efforts. Teams should be poised to pursue a compelling, external proposal opportunity (R01 or equivalent) after receiving Engineering in Medicine pilot funding. The ultimate metrics of success for the pilot projects are the development of strong collaborations that will lead to joint publications, externally funded research partnerships, and intellectual property disclosures and patents.
Each pilot project must have at least one principal investigator from each of the participating institutions (Purdue University College of Engineering and IUSM). The pilot project program will provide $50K/year for each pilot project with the opportunity to competitively apply for a second year of support. The $50K/year grant funding will be administered as two $25K grants (direct cost) – one each to the Purdue University College of Engineering and the IUSM principal investigators. Submitted budgets should reflect this division of funding. Proposals will be reviewed by a committee composed of faculty from Purdue University College of Engineering and IUSM. Investigators with funded proposals will meet virtually with Engineering in Medicine, College of Engineering, and IUSM leadership to describe progress, identify challenges, and review the timeline for an external collaborative grant submission. All teams must participate in the Engineering in Medicine symposiums twice a year and provide an annual progress report.
Application components:
- Names and affiliations of principal investigators
- Proposal Title
- Scientific proposal (Arial 11-point font with 0.5-inch margins, maximum of 2 pages including figures and tables)
- Describe how the project will provide new opportunities for potential future funding and/or intellectual property
- References (optional, maximum of 1 page)
- Milestones and deliverables for the first year and long-term goals for the collaboration (maximum of 1 page)
- NIH Biosketch plus current and pending projects for the PIs and Co-Is (if any)
- Budget including brief justification
Proposals will be evaluated on Significance, Innovation, Approach, Collaboration, and Overall Impact. Applications do not need to be routed through Purdue Sponsored Program Services nor the IU Office of Research Administration and should be submitted online by the investigators 11:59 PM on Friday, May 29, 2026. For questions: Please contact Tatiana Foroud (tforoud@iu.edu) and/or Craig Goergen (cgoergen@purdue.edu).