Center for Pain Research Pilot Awards
The annual pilot project awards aid in the Center for Pain Research’s mission by supporting new projects at UNE in the field of sensory and pain research. This award also helps build the neuroscience research community at UNE.
Pilot Project Information
The Center for Pain Research calls for pilot project proposals aimed at acquiring preliminary data for NIH R01/R15/R21/SBIR/STTR or comparable grant applications and for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Studies should utilize the Histology and Imaging Core and/or Behavior Core facilities.
Learn more about the UNE Center for Pain Research’s goals and the research core facilities
Projects may request up to $25,000 per year for a maximum of two years.
Continuation of funding after the first year is contingent upon success in meeting project goals and approval of the Center for Pain Research External Advisory Board. Proposals will be reviewed by a study section which will make funding recommendations to the External Advisory Board. All applications will require approval by NIH prior to funding. Investigators who receive support are expected to submit a progress report prior to the end of the first-year outlining progress made to date, any manuscripts published, in press, or under review, and how the data acquired will contribute to an NIH application. Faculty at the University of New England, and Maine Medical Center Research Institute are eligible to apply.
Questions can be directed to Ian Meng at imeng@vbj4.com or (207) 602-2195.
Letters of intent
Email your letter of intent to Heather Pollard at hpollard1@vbj4.com by December 13, 2024.
Your letter should include:
- Project title
- List of key personnel
- Brief description of the project (this information will be used to find qualified reviewers)
Applications
Submitted applications must be received by Heather Pollard at hpollard1@vbj4.com no later than 5 p.m. on January 13, 2025.
Completed applications must include (links below provide downloadable templates):
- Project Title and Summary (PDF)
- Research Strategy Section
- 3-page limit (not including works cited) which includes
- Specific Aims
- Background/Significance
- Experimental Design/Approach
- Expected Outcomes
- Timeline for Completion
- 3-page limit (not including works cited) which includes
- NIH Biosketches for all major personnel and collaborators
- Budget page
- Provide a detailed justification for all supplies and personnel
- IACUC/IRB approval is not required for grant submission but will be required if the proposal is selected for funding
2024 Pilot Project Recipients
Project Title: Characterizing Changes in Amygdala CRF Cell Function Following Neonatal Adversity
Project Title: Modulation of Neuroinflammation by Fibroblast Growth Factor-1
Project Title: Chronic Kidney Disease Autonomic Hypertension
Past Pilot Projects and Recipients
2023
Effects of morphine on HIV Tat-associated sensory neuropathy
- Ling Cao, M.D., Ph.D., Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
The Impact of Saphenous Nerve Injury on Signaling from the Tibia Medullary Cavity to the Dorsal Room Ganglia in Mice
- Kathleen Becker, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
Characterizing Changes in Amygdala CRF Cell Function Following Neonatal Adversity
- Michael Burman, Ph.D., Director of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
2022
Characterization of in vivo D1 dopamine / mu opioid receptor interactions in rats using operant assays of pain-depressed behavior and rate suppression, as well as conditioned place preference
- Glenn Stevenson, Ph.D., Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences
Effects of morphine on HIV Tat-associated sensory neuropathy
- Ling Cao, M.D., Ph.D., Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
The Impact of Saphenous Nerve Injury on Signaling from the Tibia Medullary Cavity to the Dorsal Room Ganglia in Mice
- Kathleen Becker, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
2021
Novel expression of MHC class II on DRG neurons can directly activate CD4+ T cells contributing to the resolution of neuropathic pain*
2019
The 2019 pilot awards were supported by the COBRE 5P20GM103643 and the Office of Research and Scholarship.
Effects of gut microbiome modulation on rheumatoid (RA)- and osteoarthritis (OA)-like pain-related behaviors, and gut microbial diversity/abundance
- Glenn Stevenson, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences
- Co-Investigator: Meghan May, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
Oxytocin signaling in nucleus accumbens GABAergic interneurons in chronic pain
- Christoph Straub, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
Mitochondrial contributions to the development of persistent hyperalgesia
- Derek Molliver, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
BMP modulation of injury-induced nociceptive sensitization in rodent and Drosophila
- Geoffrey Ganter, Ph.D., Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences
2018
The 2018 pilot awards were supported by the COBRE 5P20GM103643 and the Office of Research and Scholarship.
Effects of gut microbiome modulation on inflammatory pain-related behaviors
- Glenn Stevenson, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences
- Co-Investigator: Meghan May, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
Primary cilia in nociceptive DRG neurons: Investigating a role in chronic pain
- Kerry Tucker, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
Dynamic scaffolding of mu opioid receptor-associated complexes as a mechanism mediating opioid-induced hyperalgesia
- Derek Molliver, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Co-Investigators:
- Tamara King, Ph.D., Ph.D. Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Ben Harrison, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Biomedical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine
2017
The 2017 pilot awards were supported by the COBRE 5P20GM103643 and the Office of Research and Scholarship.
Effects of gut microbiome modulation on inflammatory pain-related behaviors
- Glenn Stevenson, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences
- Co-Investigator: Meghan May, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
Primary cilia in nociceptive DRG neurons: Investigating a role in chronic pain
- Kerry Tucker, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
Dynamic scaffolding of mu opioid receptor-associated complexes as a mechanism mediating opioid-induced hyperalgesia
- Derek Molliver, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
Peripheral and central determinants of injury-induced nociceptive sensitization in Drosophila
- Geoffrey Ganter, Ph.D., professor in the College of Arts and Sciences
2016
The 2016 pilot awards were supported by the COBRE 5P20GM103643.
Mechanisms of Infection-Mediated Pain
- Meghan May, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
Primary Cilia in Nociceptive DRG Neurons: Potential Links to Acute and Chronic Pain
- Kerry Tucker, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
2015
The 2015 pilot awards were supported in part by the COBRE 5P20GM103643, UNE’s Office of Sponsored Research, and Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences.
Effects of Early Life Pain on Subsequent Fear Conditioning and Sensory Function*
- Michael Burman, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences
Mechanisms of Infection-Mediated Pain
- Meghan May, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
Primary Cilia in Nociceptive DRG Neurons: Potential Links to Acute and Chronic Pain
- Kerry Tucker, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
Resident DRG Macrophages: Impact on Nociceptor Responses**
- Katherine Hanlon, Ph.D., assistant professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
Chronic Pain, Motor Output, and Motor Learning in Knee Osteoarthritis***
- Katherine Rudolph, PT, Ph.D., associate professor in the Westbrook College of Health Professions
*Transitioned to COBRE Project September 2016
**American Pain Society Rita Allen Fellowship Award - Received April 2016
***R15 Grant Awarded April 2016
2014
- Glenn Stevenson, Ph.D.*, associate professor, College of Arts and Sciences
Characterization of Delta/Mu Opioid Receptor Interactions on Chronic Osteoarthritis Pain-depressed Behaviors**
- Tamara King, Ph.D., associate professor of Biomedical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine
Identification of the Activated Signaling Complex of the Mu Opioid Receptor
- John Streicher, Ph.D., assistant professor of Biomedical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine
*R15 Grant Awarded September 2014
**Transitioned to COBRE Project October 2014