Pilot Projects

Center for Pain Research Pilot Awards

The annual pilot project awards aid in the Center for Pain Research鈥檚 mission by supporting new projects at 91制片厂 in the field of sensory and pain research. This award also helps build the neuroscience research community at 91制片厂. 

Pilot Project Information

The Center for Pain Research calls for pilot project proposals aimed at acquiring preliminary data for NIH R01/R15/R21/SBIR/STTR or comparable grant applications and for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Studies should utilize the Histology and Imaging Core and/or Behavior Core facilities.

Learn more about the 91制片厂 Center for Pain Research鈥檚 goals and the research core facilities

Projects may request up to $25,000 for the grant year June 1, 2026鈥揗ay 31, 2027.

Proposals will be reviewed by a study section that will make funding recommendations to the External Advisory Committee. All applications will require approval by NIH prior to funding. Investigators who receive support are expected to submit a progress report prior to the end of the first-year outlining progress made to date, any manuscripts published, in press, or under review, and how the data acquired will contribute to an NIH application. Faculty at the University of New England and Maine Health Institute for Research are eligible to apply unless they are currently receiving Institutional Development Award (IDeA) funds.

Questions can be directed to Ian Meng at imeng@une.edu or (207) 602-2195.

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Letters of intent

Email your letter of intent to the Center for Pain Research at cpr@une.edu by 5 p.m. on December 10, 2025.

Your letter should include:

  • Project title
  • List of key personnel
  • Brief (one paragraph) description of the project (this information will be used to find qualified reviewers)
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Applications

Submit your application to the Center for Pain Research at cpr@une.edu no later than 5 p.m. on January 16, 2026.

Completed applications must include (links below provide downloadable templates):

    • 3-page limit (not including works cited) which includes
      • Specific Aims
      • Background/Significance
      • Experimental Design/Approach
      • Expected Outcomes
      • Timeline for Completion
  •  for all major personnel and collaborators
    • Provide a detailed justification for all supplies and personnel
  • IACUC/IRB approval is not required for grant submission but will be required if the proposal is selected for funding

2025 Pilot Project Recipient

Headshot of Diana Goode
Diana J. Goode, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
College of Osteopathic Medicine: Department of Biomedical Sciences
dgoode@une.edu (207) 602-2210

Project Title: Neuronal MHCIII in Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy, and CD4+ cells in neurite growth after injury

Past Pilot Projects and Recipients

2024

Characterizing Changes in Amygdala CRF Cell Function Following Neonatal Adversity

Modulation of Neuroinflammation by Fibroblast Growth Factor-1

  • Deena J. Small, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the School of Molecular and Physical Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences

Chronic Kidney Disease Autonomic Hypertension

2023

Effects of morphine on HIV Tat-associated sensory neuropathy

The Impact of Saphenous Nerve Injury on Signaling from the Tibia Medullary Cavity to the Dorsal Room Ganglia in Mice

Characterizing Changes in Amygdala CRF Cell Function Following Neonatal Adversity

2022

Characterization of in vivo D1 dopamine / mu opioid receptor interactions in rats using operant assays of pain-depressed behavior and rate suppression, as well as conditioned place preference

Effects of morphine on HIV Tat-associated sensory neuropathy

The Impact of Saphenous Nerve Injury on Signaling from the Tibia Medullary Cavity to the Dorsal Room Ganglia in Mice

2021

Novel expression of MHC class II on DRG neurons can directly activate CD4+ T cells contributing to the resolution of neuropathic pain*

2019

The 2019 pilot awards were supported by the COBRE 5P20GM103643 and the Office of Research and Scholarship.

Effects of gut microbiome modulation on rheumatoid (RA)- and osteoarthritis (OA)-like pain-related behaviors, and gut microbial diversity/abundance

  • Glenn Stevenson, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences
  • Co-Investigator: Meghan May, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine

Oxytocin signaling in nucleus accumbens GABAergic interneurons in chronic pain

  • Christoph Straub, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine

Mitochondrial contributions to the development of persistent hyperalgesia

BMP modulation of injury-induced nociceptive sensitization in rodent and Drosophila

2018

The 2018 pilot awards were supported by the COBRE 5P20GM103643 and the Office of Research and Scholarship.

Effects of gut microbiome modulation on inflammatory pain-related behaviors

  • Glenn Stevenson, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences
  • Co-Investigator: Meghan May, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine

Primary cilia in nociceptive DRG neurons: Investigating a role in chronic pain

Dynamic scaffolding of mu opioid receptor-associated complexes as a mechanism mediating opioid-induced hyperalgesia

2017

The 2017 pilot awards were supported by the COBRE 5P20GM103643 and the Office of Research and Scholarship.

Effects of gut microbiome modulation on inflammatory pain-related behaviors

  • Glenn Stevenson, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences
  • Co-Investigator: Meghan May, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine

Primary cilia in nociceptive DRG neurons: Investigating a role in chronic pain

Dynamic scaffolding of mu opioid receptor-associated complexes as a mechanism mediating opioid-induced hyperalgesia

Peripheral and central determinants of injury-induced nociceptive sensitization in Drosophila

2016

The 2016 pilot awards were supported by the COBRE 5P20GM103643.

Mechanisms of Infection-Mediated Pain

  • Meghan May, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine

Primary Cilia in Nociceptive DRG Neurons: Potential Links to Acute and Chronic Pain

2015

The 2015 pilot awards were supported in part by the COBRE 5P20GM103643, 91制片厂鈥檚 Office of Sponsored Research, and Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences.

Effects of Early Life Pain on Subsequent Fear Conditioning and Sensory Function*

Mechanisms of Infection-Mediated Pain

  • Meghan May, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine

Primary Cilia in Nociceptive DRG Neurons: Potential Links to Acute and Chronic Pain

Resident DRG Macrophages: Impact on Nociceptor Responses**

  • Katherine Hanlon, Ph.D., assistant professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine

Chronic Pain, Motor Output, and Motor Learning in Knee Osteoarthritis***

*Transitioned to COBRE Project September 2016

**American Pain Society Rita Allen Fellowship Award - Received April 2016

***R15 Grant Awarded April 2016

2014

Characterization of Delta/Mu Opioid Receptor Interactions on Chronic Osteoarthritis Pain-depressed Behaviors**

  • Tamara King, Ph.D., associate professor of Biomedical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine

Identification of the Activated Signaling Complex of the Mu Opioid Receptor

  • John Streicher, Ph.D., assistant professor of Biomedical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine

*R15 Grant Awarded September 2014

**Transitioned to COBRE Project October 2014