MRI Pilot Project Program

The goal of the Pilot Project Program is solely to provide institutional support to investigators to acquire feasibility and/or preliminary MR data towards a future grant application using any one of the MRI facilities (human 3T system, animal 7T system and tissue samples at 11.7T).

  • To provide support for the scanning cost of new research projects initiated by investigators
  • The acquired imaging data is to be used solely for the purpose of providing evidence of feasibility and evidence potentially supporting the proposed hypotheses in grant applications, i.e., part of preliminary data
  • The purpose of the PPP is not to support the collection of imaging data for a research study
  • A maximum of 20 scanning hours will be provided that is split 75% by the core and 25% by the investigator (or his/her department).
  • The role of the new PPP review committee is to ensure applications meet these criteria as noted above.

Investigators requesting support for Pilot Project must submit:

  1. MRRC approval from MRI scan time (Apply for 3T scan time / 7T scan Time)
  2. A research proposal (not to exceed 3 pages) which includes:
    1. specific aims
    2. hypotheses
    3. background
    4. experimental approach
    Submit all applications to:
    Pavan Jella, MS
    Email: dx4925@wayne.edu
    Phone: 313-745-1388
  3. Developmental Time application form.

Applications will be accepted for review in the order they are received.

Investigators can only request up to a maximum of 20 hours of scanning time; detailed scientific justification of the number of hours requested must be provided in the research proposal. Additional scanning time may be requested upon completion of the initial Pilot Project, and with a progress report and rationale.

15 hours - 75% - OVPR support
5 hours - 25% paid by the PI

Prior to submission, investigators must secure matching funds from their own accounts (such as their indirect account, a start-up fund account, a retention fund account and/or by the department/center/division funds) totaling 25% of the proposed scanning time cost. If funds are unavailable, a special request can be included with justification and a letter from the department/institution.

Pilot Project applications will be reviewed and scored according to merit by the MRI Scientific Review Committee, which consists of MRI experts. There is a limit to the available funds provided by the SOM and OVPR in supporting this Pilot Project Program and, therefore, the awarding of scanning time for pilot projects will be competitive.