The ICA Pilot Research Program began in 1985 and remains the first and only IC research program funded by a non-profit, patient association.  To date, this ICA program has funded over 70 projects, totaling more than $1 million.

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Often researchers with novel IC research proposals are unable to receive funding from the NIH because they lack the preliminary data needed for NIH grant approval.  The ICA Pilot Research Program provides researchers with the initial funding to get their projects literally "off the ground."  The ICA Pilot Research Program, funded largely by ICA patient contributions, has "opened the door" for many researchers and enabled them to obtain large government grants to further pursue their explorations into the causes and treatments of IC.

We encourage specialists with a particular interest in IC in the areas of urology, urogynecology, or pain management to apply.  Application due date TBD.

Funded Projects
With the goal of providing seed dollars for IC research, the ICA Pilot Research Program awarded funds to essential pilot research.  A list of recently funded projects is listed below.  Categorized by year, the project name and recipient are listed as well as a brief description of the project where possible.

• 2007
• 2006
• 2005
• 2004

1. Requirements for submission of an application for funding

ICA Pilot Research Program research projects are normally funded for one year, up to $10,000, and must be completed in one year.  Funded areas of research inquiry include:

There are no standardized application forms to fill out; however, we urge you to keep your proposal as concise as possible.  To apply submit a PDF of the proposal including:

• PAGE ONE: Cover sheet listing the researcher’s full contact address (name, academic degree, full address with zip, phone and fax numbers, e-mail address)
• PAGE TWO: Detailed budget
• PAGE THREE: Title of research study plus abstract of the proposal
• PAGE FOUR and subsequent pages:
  • Research hypothesis
  • Proposed methodology
  • Estimated time required to complete project (one year maximum)
  • Short-version curriculum vitae of principal researchers
  • List of funding sources for current research projects, including those ongoing or completed in the last 3 years
  • List of other grants expected in the near future, with funding sources and titles
• Any relevant articles

The Peer Review Panel requires that you submit PDF copies of all documents:

• PDF #1: Proposal, pages one, two, three, four and subsequent pages
• PDF #2: Relevant articles (preferably no more than 3)

An email will be sent acknowledging receipt of your proposal. 

The ICA Pilot Research Program will not pay for costs associated with administrative overhead.

2. The process for determination of funding recipients

A grant review committee comprised of members of the ICA Medical Advisory Board reviews all grant applications. Committee members review applications independently prior to the committee meeting and submit their evaluation and feedback. The committee meets as a whole and discusses the proposals weighing scientific merit, potential advancement for the field, relevance for IC patients, cost proposal, and quality of the application.

Grants are classified into three groups: Yes, No, Maybe, pending resubmission of grant.  For grants classified as Maybe, pending resubmission of grants, applicants are asked to address limitations of the applications raised by the review committee and/or consider resubmission with a revised cost proposal. The revised applications are reviewed by the grant committee and reclassified as Yes or No decisions.

3. Scientific Advisory Board, responsible for making funding determinations

The Grant Review Committee is composed of a subset of the ICA Medical Advisory Board.  Board members are selected based on the pool of applications received and area of expertise.

4. Post-award requirements, including scientific and financial reporting requirements

The use of award funds is restricted to research based on the purposes and methodology outlined in the application.  No funds may be used toward administrative overhead costs.

A final report outlining the results of your project is due no later than one year from the date of the initial payment.  In addition to the scientific report, a short one paragraph description of the salient findings in plain language (6 to 8^th grade reading level) is required, along with a

Researchers are required to credit the ICA for support of the research where appropriate and participate in scientific and patient meetings to discuss the research if requested and whenever possible.

Researchers who receive a larger grant (such as one from the NIH) to fund the same type of research described in the proposal to the ICA, are required to inform the ICA of this news and agree to waive the final payment of the grant. In that event, researchers are required to provide the ICA with a report on the part of the research funded by the ICA.

An initial payment of 50% of the total grant is made upon award.  Upon receipt, review and approval of the final report by the review committee, a check for the remaining 50% of the grant is issued.  Failure to complete the project and submit the final report within one year of receipt of initial payment will require that you repay the full amount initially received. 

If you have any further questions, please contact the ICA at research@ichelp.org. 

Revised September 16, 2009