Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can medical students apply for the Innovation Pilot Awards?
A. Medical students can participate as members of a pilot team but the application must be submitted with a health system employee or faculty member as the Principal Investigator or project leader.
Q. Can an Innovation Pilot Award fund a project at a managed UNC Health entity?
A. Each case will need to be reviewed independently to ensure that receipt of the pilot award would not violate any laws or contractual obligations.
Q. Can the Innovation Pilot Awards be used to fund a study or project already in process?
A. Generally not. However, if there is a discreet and separate scope of work with independent aims that can easily be distinguished from the existing project, it may be considered. In this case it is important to clearly articulate the scope of the existing project vs. the pilot in the application.
Q. Can a team re-submit a proposal that was not selected for funding during a previous cycle?
A. Yes, absolutely. However, each team is encouraged to review the summary of raters’ comments and consider revising the proposal as necessary.
Q. Can Innovation Pilot Award funds be used to pay a vendor outside of the university for services? (e.g., software development, training, etc.)
A. Yes, pilot award funds can be used to pay an outside vendor for services rendered within the scope of the pilot. We strongly encourage teams to get an estimate or quote for any third-party services before submitting the application.
Q. What makes a great proposal?
A. Successful proposals contain all of the requirements listed in the “Proposal Requirements” section and demonstrate that the pilot project applies to all or most of the criteria outlined in the “Review and Selection Process” section of the RFP. An example of the narrative section of a past winning proposal is available for your reference. Also, applicants are welcome to meet with Center staff to review proposal ideas in advance of submission for general guidance and feedback (email innovatehealthcare@med.unc.edu). Please note the Center for Health Innovation staff do not participate in the scoring of applications and meeting with the Center prior to submission does not factor into the scoring or ranking of proposals.
Q. How else can someone work with the UNC Center for Health Innovation outside of participating in the Innovation Pilot Awards?
A. The Center’s mission is to initiate, evaluate, disseminate and support adoption of disruptive innovations in the delivery and financing of health care that are patient centered and increase value with improved health outcomes and lower costs. We are always looking to connect with colleagues and collaborate with partners in new and exciting ways. Feel free to submit an inquiry to innovatehealthcare@med.unc.edu at any time.
Q. What other funding opportunities for innovative health care ideas are available at UNC?
A. In addition to the Center for Health Innovation’s Innovation Pilot Awards, there are variety of other awards and programs focused on supporting innovation throughout UNC Health, including:
- The UNC Institute for Health Care Quality Improvement offers the IHQI Improvement Scholars Program. Selected scholars and their project teams receive support, training, and coaching from IHQI faculty and staff.
- Eshelman Innovation is an emerging innovation engine that moves groundbreaking healthcare therapeutics and digital health ideas to reality.
- Gillings Innovation Labs funds projects that are innovative, interdisciplinary, and strive to achieve fundamental breakthroughs in public health.
- Innovate Carolina – Get Funding. A university-wide initiative to help faculty, students, and staff thrive as innovators and entrepreneurs. Database lists funding opportunities from internal and external sources for innovators and entrepreneurs