Brittle Bone Disorders Consortium (BBDC) Pilot and Feasibility Grant Program

Mission and Scope of the Program

The mission of the Brittle Bone Disorders Consortium (BBDC) Pilot and Feasibility Grant Program is to support innovative projects that advance the understanding, diagnosis, management, and treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) and related heritable skeletal disorders.

The program is intended to foster new research directions, generate preliminary data for future funding applications, and accelerate the development of studies that improve outcomes for individuals affected by brittle bone disorders.

Examples of responsive pilot projects include, but are not limited to:

  • Analysis of existing BBDC datasets
  • Genotype-phenotype correlation studies
  • Natural history and observational studies
  • Patient-reported outcomes research
  • Quality-of-life assessments
  • Studies addressing transition of care across the lifespan
  • Dental, craniofacial, orthopedic, pulmonary, cardiovascular, or psychosocial manifestations of OI
  • Biomarker discovery and validation studies
  • Health services and health equity research
  • Ancillary studies leveraging existing BBDC protocols and infrastructure
  • Early-stage interventional clinical studies (with prior NIH and BBDC approval, as applicable)
  • Other innovative projects aligned with the BBDC mission
Upon completion of funding, investigators are expected to leverage pilot data to support larger grant applications, collaborative studies, and future consortium initiatives. Priority will be given to projects with the potential to improve clinical care, inform future clinical trials, advance scientific understanding, and ultimately enhance the lives of individuals living with brittle bone disorders.

Funds may not be used to support animal research.

Funding Available

Annual funding of up to $15,000 total costs (including indirect costs) is available to support one pilot project for a one-year funding period.

The BBDC intends to fund at least one award during this funding cycle beginning October 15, 2026.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Hold a doctoral degree (MD, DO, PhD, DDS, DMD, or equivalent)
  • Be affiliated with a U.S.-based academic, clinical, research, or healthcare institution
  • Be conducting research relevant to osteogenesis imperfecta or related heritable skeletal disorders
Applications are welcomed from investigators both within and outside the BBDC network.

Early-stage investigators and new investigators are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Requirements

Applications should be submitted as a single PDF and include the following components:

1. Project Title

2. Project Abstract

  • ½-page limit
3. Specific Aims

  • 1-page limit
4. Research Proposal

  • 5-page limit
  • Include: 
    • Background
    • Significance
    • Relevance to the BBDC mission
    • Preliminary data (if available)
    • Research plan
5. References

  • Not included in the 5-page limit
6. Human Subjects Information (if applicable)

Not included in the proposal page limit.

Include:

  • Study condition(s) or disease focus
  • Eligibility criteria
  • Study timeline
  • Planned enrollment
  • Protection of human subjects
7. NIH Biosketch

  • Applicant biosketch (5-page limit)
8. Letter of Support

  • Required for applicants who are not current BBDC investigators
  • Must be provided by a BBDC investigator
  • 1-page limit
9. Budget and Budget Justification


Review Criteria

Applications will be reviewed using NIH-style scoring criteria.

Reviewers will evaluate:

  1. Relevance to the BBDC mission
  2. Scientific significance and innovation
  3. Feasibility of the proposed project
  4. Investigator qualifications
  5. Potential to generate preliminary data for future external funding
  6. Potential impact on the understanding, diagnosis, management, or treatment of brittle bone disorders

Awardee Expectations and Reporting Requirements

Awardees will be expected to:

  1. Participate in BBDC consortium activities, including monthly consortium calls and annual investigator meetings.
  2. Provide periodic project updates to consortium leadership.
  3. Present project progress and outcomes at a BBDC meeting or webinar.
  4. Acknowledge BBDC support in abstracts, presentations, and publications resulting from the funded work.
  5. Submit a final progress report within 30 days of project completion.

Application Submission

Applications should be submitted as a single PDF document using:

  • Arial font
  • Minimum 11-point font size
  • Minimum ½-inch margins
Applications must be submitted by the deadline listed above through the:

RDCRN Grants Portal

Late or incomplete applications may not be considered.

Questions

Questions regarding the BBDC Pilot and Feasibility Grant Program may be directed to the BBDC Administrative Coordinating Center at <diannen@bcm.edu>

We encourage investigators from diverse disciplines and career stages to apply and help advance research that improves outcomes for individuals living with osteogenesis imperfecta and related skeletal disorders.