Description
The ASCENT Pilot and Exploratory Studies Award is ideal for researchers seeking to build foundational evidence that can advance the science of palliative care. Whether you’re an early-career investigator transitioning from a K to an R award, or a mid-career researcher seeking to obtain a second large research grant or exploring new directions, ASCENT provides the resources, mentorship, and community to help you succeed.
Applicants may submit for one of two types of awards:
- Pilot Study Award: These studies will propose intervention development and/or preparatory work for a clinical trial. Clinical trials should be limited to intervention development, refinement, implementation/dissemination, or feasibility/acceptability testing (NIH Stage 1). Applications proposing efficacy or effectiveness testing (Stage 2 or higher) are unlikely to be competitive given budget and timeline constraints.
- Exploratory Study Award: These proposals will typically be structured around observational studies, secondary data analysis, or development/testing of new measures. Exploratory studies might direct the field toward deeper understanding of mechanisms, analysis of disparities or access gaps, innovations in research methods, or exploring the drivers of clinician, patient, or caregiver behaviors. Exploratory Study Awards do not need to be preparatory for a larger award and instead may be designed to advance the science of palliative care research.