Head and neck cancer innovation pilot program
Developmental Research Program
This program funds small projects to create new ways to prevent, find earlier, and treat head and neck squamous cell carcinoma for people affected by these cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11192303 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As a patient, this program pays for short-term pilot projects that aim to move lab discoveries into tests or treatments for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. It asks researchers—both newcomers to this cancer and established teams—to submit ideas, then uses a rigorous NIH-style review to pick the best proposals. Awardees receive funding, mentorship, and help integrating into broader studies at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and collaborating sites. Past awards have led to publications, additional grants, patents, and clinical trials that patients could join.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, or those willing to donate tissue/samples or join related clinical trials, are the most likely candidates to benefit or participate.
Not a fit: People without head and neck cancer or those who need immediate standard-of-care treatment may not directly benefit from these early-stage pilot projects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could produce earlier detection tools, better targeted therapies, and new clinical trials that reduce illness and death from head and neck cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Previous cycles of this pilot program supported awards that produced publications, external grants, patents, inventions, and clinical trials, demonstrating prior success with this approach.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nilsen, Marci Lee — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Nilsen, Marci Lee
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.