CIMIT Clinical Fast Forward Grants

Clinical Fast Forward grants are designed to bring promising new clinical techniques from other sites (national or international) to CIMIT Consortium member institutions. To be considered for this award, a project must involve direct patient care. Fast Forward grants are specifically designed to change the way care is delivered to patient populations. New laboratory and basic science techniques will not be considered. This grant provides funding up to $25,000 direct cost to help the successful applicant travel and learn at a leading center, practice the new skill/technique in a laboratory setting (if necessary), and obtain proctoring when performing the first clinical cases at a CIMIT site. This grant cannot be used for purchases of capital equipment, and one-to-one matching (financial or in-kind) is required from the sponsoring department.

Programmatic fit within an existing CIMIT program area, in the gaps between program areas or expand into a new area within the CIMIT Mission
Collaborative nature of the project (multidisciplinary/ inter-institutional)
High likelihood of rapid impact on patient care, with plans that include early “prove-out” milestones.
Other established funding mechanisms are not appropriate or available as a funding source and CIMIT support (including facilitation support) is essential to its success.
Potential exit strategies for the project including future alternative funding sources, contacts with companies, licensing and venturing opportunities.

An enthusiastic champion
Novel technology/therapy not currently available in a CIMIT consortium institution
Enthusiastic support of division/department chief
Collaborative nature of the project, including a willingness to share knowledge/experience within the consortium institution, and across consortium members as appropriate
A clear plan for evaluation of clinical and economic impact of the new technology/therapy