2026-2027 Call for Applications
Two pilot awards for UTHealth Houston faculty
Applications due Friday, November 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CT
Each selected project will receive full CNRI Smart Apartment infrastructure, data, and personnel support, plus up to $20,000 in direct costs provided to the principal investigator for approved project expenses.
| 2 PILOT AWARDS | $20K PI DIRECT COSTS | 3 PAGES PROPOSAL NARRATIVE | 12 MO. PROJECT COMPLETION |
Applications are due November 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CT. Consultation with Shayan Shams, Smart Apartment Core Director, is strongly encouraged before submission [https://redcap.link/smartaptconsult].
Apply: https://redcap.link/eilbxsay
Questions: [email protected]
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Purpose
The Cizik Nursing Research Institute invites UTHealth Houston faculty to propose focused pilot studies that use the CNRI Smart Apartment to generate preliminary data for an R01 or another major external award. Applications should make the progression explicit: identify the larger scientific question, explain what preliminary evidence is needed, and show how the pilot findings would strengthen the planned external proposal.
Projects should use the Smart Apartment as a research environment—not simply as available space—and should be feasible with a smaller pilot sample. Consultation is strongly encouraged before submission to confirm scientific and technical fit.
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Eligible project focus
1. Can people use it?
2. Does it measure correctly?
3. What can the data tell us about the person?
4. Can the system respond intelligently?
5. Can it identify risk before conventional assessment does?
6. Can raw signals become a valid measure?
7. Can AI assist safely and usefully at home? -
Eligibility and project scope
- Principal investigators: Any UTHealth Houston faculty member. Faculty may submit more than one application.
- Project period: data collection, analysis, and pilot deliverables should be completed within 12 months after study start-up. The start-up period for consultation, final protocol development, purchasing, and regulatory preparation is not included in the 12 months.
- Readiness: Selected teams must be prepared to submit complete IRB materials by December 7, 2026. Anticipated data collection start is January 15, 2027, contingent on required approvals and project readiness.
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Proposal narrative — 3 pages maximum
Use standard NIH formatting: US Letter; Arial 11-point or larger; margins of at least 0.5 inch; single-spaced. Organize the narrative using the following headings:
- Project overview and specific aims: State the problem, objective, and focused pilot aims.
- Smart Apartment question and rationale: Identify the targeted question(s), explain why the Smart Apartment is necessary, and describe the capabilities the study will use.
- Approach and feasibility: Summarize the design, sample, activities, measures/data, analysis, team roles, and major risks or alternatives.
- Preliminary-data-to-major-award pathway: Identify the intended R01 or other major mechanism, the evidence gap this pilot will fill, and how the results will shape the future proposal. Explain how continued Smart Apartment services would be incorporated and budgeted.
- Timeline and milestones: Show that regulatory
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Additional required materials — excluded from the 3-page limit
- Reference list.
- Current NIH-format biosketch for the principal investigator.
- Budget and budget justification for up to $20,000 in direct costs. The justification must explain why each requested item is necessary for the pilot and distinguish requested funds from CNRI-provided infrastructure, data, and personnel support.
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Budget guidance
Allowable examples
Not allowable
Participant incentives; GRA effort specifically supporting project management; project-specific technology, devices, accessories, consumables, or software not already available through CNRI.
Travel; faculty or investigator salary;
publication fees; general-purpose computers; indirect costs/F&A.
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Review criteria
- Alignment with at least one Smart Apartment research question.
- Scientific significance and innovation.
- Feasibility within the proposed time, sample, budget, team, and approach.
- Appropriate and meaningful use of Smart Apartment capabilities.
- Strength of the logic connecting the pilot findings to an R01 or other major external award.
- Reasonableness and justification of the requested direct-cost budget.
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Key dates
Milestone
Date
Call announced
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Applications due
Friday, November 6, 2026, 5:00 p.m. CT
Award notification
Friday, November 20, 2026
Complete IRB materials ready for submission
Monday, December 7, 2026
Anticipated data collection start
Friday, January 15, 2027