Translational Science Accelerator (Trax)

This year, the Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI) will offer pilot grants between $25,000 - $50,000 for projects focused on translational science initiatives. This announcement pertains to all Translational Science Accelerator (Trax) grant submissions.

1. Purpose
   1. The Translational Science Accelerator Grant Program at the Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI) supports projects that 1) contribute to the understanding and characterization of translational science challenges and/or 2) develop tools and approaches that increase the speed, efficiency, and impact of translational research at large and/or 3) implement and disseminate approaches already found to be effective in improving the research process in a novel way.
   2. Strategies should improve the speed, efficiency, quality, and/or impact of the research process. This may be demonstrated within a single study or stage.
2. Description of Acceptable Topics
   1. Research eligible for this call includes
3. Development of new research methodology and/or new technologies/tools/resources that will advance Translational Science and thus increase the efficiency and effectiveness of translation
4. Early-stage development of innovative therapy/technology with generalizable application to an identified translational challenge
5. Demonstration of new methods or technologies to enhance outcomes for decentralized clinical research
6. Dissemination of effective tools, methods, processes, and training paradigms in Translational Science
7. Feasibility/proof of concept studies to support future Translational Science projects

1. Multi-Step Collaborative Review Process:
   1. All interested applicants must submit a letter of intent (LOI) by June 12, 2026, which will be peer reviewed by the Translational Science (TrSci) Accelerator Management Committee. LOIs will be scored on alignment with SC CTSI priorities, approach and translational science impact potential. Up to 16 applicants will be invited to participate in the next stage of the application process: pitch sessions.
   2. During pitch sessions, each applicant will present a 5-minute “pitch” of their proposal, which will be peer reviewed by the TrSci Accelerator Management Committee. Applicants will receive immediate feedback regarding the design, feasibility, and translational science alignment of their project. Up to 10 pitches will be invited to participate in the next stage of the review process: development meetings. All projects advancing to development meetings will be connected with SC CTSI resources and services to help improve their proposal.
   3. In development meetings, applicants will work with the TrSci Accelerator Management Committee and the Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) to refine proposal development, team science support, and project plans. All projects participating in a development meeting will submit a full proposal.
2. Full proposals will be reviewed by a panel of scientists & community members: Review panels will include scientific reviewers with relevant project-specific expertise, as well as community members who have undergone comprehensive reviewer training. Both scientific and community reviewers will read, score, and participate in a discussion of the applications. The purpose of this community-engaged review panel is to help meet the SC CTSI’s goal to integrate community perspectives in shaping our research agenda and to be able to communicate to the public about work funded at SC CTSI.

1. Eligibility
   1. Full-time faculty members at USC and CHLA as of the date of the LOI submission are eligible to apply as a PI. Additionally, PIs must devote at least 30% of their professional effort to research.
2. Priority
   1. Preference and highest priority will be given to projects that support the understanding of translational challenges, development of tools and approaches that will increase the speed, efficiency, and impact of translational research, and/or the novel implementation of effective approaches. Commitment of the PI to a career in research will be considered a plus.
3. Submission Steps
   1. LOI Submission
   2. Pitch Session
   3. Development Session
   4. Full Application Submission
4. Translational Science Education Prior to LOI Submission
   1. Visit the SC CTSI Learning Network to access the Introduction to Translational Science Education Course. After completing the course, take the comprehension quiz at the end to receive a certificate of completion. This may be submitted with your LOI application.
   2. SC CTSI Learning Network: Courses Catalog | SC CTSI Learning Network
5. Resubmissions
   1. Resubmissions of previous SC CTSI pilot applications will be accepted.
6. Award Duration
   1. 1 Year (April 1, 2027 – March 31, 2028)
7. Funding
   1. $25,000 - $50,000

• RFA Released: April 30, 2026
• LOI Submission Deadline: June 12, 2026
• Notification of Invitation to participate in Pitch Sessions: July 8, 2026
• Pitch Sessions: July 20, 2026 – July 31, 2026
• Notification of Invitation to participate in Development Meetings: August 10, 2026
• Development Meetings: August 17, 2026 – September 4, 2026
• Full Proposal Deadline: October 9, 2026
• Review Period: October 12, 2026 – November 2026
• Final Selection Made: December 2026
• Submission of Regulatory approvals to NIH: December 2026 – April 2027
• Funding Period: April 1, 2027 – March 31, 2028

1. Please review the RFA linked below for detailed instructions on each step of the application process and specific award conditions.
   1. LINK TBD

• Information Session 1: May 19, 2026, 2pm-3pm PDT
  • Registration Link:  Session 1
• Information Session 2: May 22, 2026, 11am – 12pm PDT
  • Registration Link:  Session 2