Innovating Together. Transforming Rural Health
Backed by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences’ (NCATS) Clinical & Translational Science Award (CTSA) program, the Consortium of Rural States (CORES)—representing CTSA hubs at the University of Utah Health, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, University of Arizona, University of Kansas, University of Kentucky, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, University of Iowa, Dartmouth College/Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Medical University of South Carolina, and Penn State University—is thrilled to launch a new, dynamic pilot process designed to spark collaborative translational science across our multi institutional network. This initiative accelerates the development, testing, and implementation of innovative solutions to improve health outcomes, while building strong collaborative pathways across CORES to drive meaningful care model transformation in rural communities and position these efforts for national scaling through external funding.
Join a cross institutional research team spanning nine CTSA hubs
Co-develop high-impact translational science projects
we want you!
Whether you’re a clinical researcher, data scientist, implementation scientist, community-engaged scholar, or innovator with a passion for rural health—CORES wants your expertise.
Year 1
Phase 1 -- Call for Investigators & Team Formation
Interested investigators apply to participate in a focus area team (see focus areas above)
Investigators will be selected based on expertise and skill set as it applies to their desired focus area.
Selected applicants for each focus area will collaborate in-person at the CORES Fall Conference, October 6-7, 2026, hosted by the University of Iowa, to develop translational science pilot projects that will exemplify the CTSA mission of “supporting translational research and fostering collaborations among academic institutions that will improve the efficiency, quality and impact of the process for improving human health.” Travel will be covered by the home hub.
Research development support will be provided for team formation, travel to the CORES Fall Conference, and early-stage project development activities.
Teams will have the opportunity to meet virtually prior to the CORES Fall Conference.
Phase 2 -- Proposal development & submission
Building upon the work done at the CORES Fall Conference, teams will continue to work virtually to develop their project and application.
Each team will submit a full application, with up to one application per project area selected for funding.
A Fresh, Phased Pilot Model – Calling Investigators
This year, CORES is introducing an innovative, teambuilding–first approach to project development. In Phase 1,interested investigators apply to join cross-institutional teams organized around shared translational challenges specific to our focus areas (see below). In Phase 2, the assembled teams collaborate to develop their projects, refining questions and co-creating proposals designed for real-world impact in rural settings. Finally, in Phase 3, funded projects are executed; teams work together to put their plans into action with ongoing support from the CORES consortium.
Why Participate?
Join a cross institutional research team spanning nine CTSA hubs
Co-develop high-impact translational science projects
Benefit from focused support for research program development and team science training
Advance solutions with measurable real-world outcomes
Contribute to improving for all in rural communities nationwide
Benefit from focused support for Research Program Development and Team Science training
Timeline
Advance solutions with measurable real-world outcomes
Focus Areas
Data & Technology Infrastructure for Rural Health
Harnessing AI, remote monitoring, data integration, and real-world data pipelines to create scalable, tech-enabled solutions that improve health outcomes across rural environments.
Chronic Disease Prevention, Diagnosis & Management
Emphasizing partnerships with Practice-Based Research Networks (PBRNs) and clear translational and implementation strategies to improve chronic disease care in rural communities.
Maternal & Infant Health
Innovative approaches to overcoming barriers to access to maternal and infant care, with an emphasis on improving outcomes for rural populations.
Data & Technology Infrastructure for Rural Health
Harnessing AI, remote monitoring, data integration, and real-world data pipelines to create scalable, tech enabled solutions that improve health outcomes across rural environments.
Chronic Disease Prevention, Diagnosis & Management
Emphasizing partnerships with Practice-Based Research Networks (PBRNs) and clear translational and implementation strategies to improve chronic disease care in rural communities.
Phase 1: Call for Investigators & Team formation
Posted Date
June 15, 2026
Letters of Interest (LOI) Due
July 15, 2026
Selected Investigators Announced
August 14, 2026
Phase 2: Proposal Development & Submission
Project Teams Develop
August-October, 2026
Proposal Submission Due
August-October, 2027
CORES Fall Conference Team Science Project Refinement
October 6-7, 2026
Funded Project Announced
May 1, 2027
Formal Proposal Development
October 2026 - January 2027
Phase 3: Implementation
Funds Awarded Implementation Phase
July 1, 2027 - June 30, 2028
Mid-Year Project Update at Fall Conference
September/October 2027
Present Project Status & Plans at CORES PI Monthly Meeting
May/June 2028
Year 2
Phase 3 -- Implementation
Funded projects are executed; teams work together to put their plans into action with ongoing support from the CORES consortium.
Funded teams will receive up to $25,000 in direct costs per participating institution to support project implementation. Final funding levels may vary based on the number of participating sites and project scope.
For specific budget questions, please contact your institution’s CORES Pilot Administrator listed at the document attached below.
Mid-Project Progress will be presented during the Fall 2027 CORES meeting.
Project status and future plans will be presented to CORES PIs during their monthly meeting in May or June 2028.
Contribute to improving health for all in rural communities nationwide
Maternal & Infant Health
Innovative approaches to overcoming barriers in access to maternal and infant care, with an emphasis on
improving outcomes for rural populations.
Phase 1: Call for Investigators & Team Formation
Posted Date: June 15th, 2026
Letter of Interest Due: July 15th, 2026
Selected Investigators Announced: August 14th, 2026
Phase 2: Proposal Development & Submission
Project Teams Develop: August - October, 2026
Cores Fall Conference Team Science Project Refinement: October 6-7th, 2026
Formal Proposal Development: October 2026 - January 2026
Proposal Submission Due: August - October, 2027
Funded Project Announced: May 1st, 2027
Phase 3: Implementation
Funds Awarded Implementation Phase: July 1st, 2027 - June 30th, 208
Mid-Year Project Update at Fall Conference: September/October 2027
Present Project Status & Plans at CORES PI Monthly Meeting: May/June 2028
Additional Info
Eligibility Criteria
Faculty or faculty equivalent at participating CTSA institutions (including partner institutions) who are eligible to receive federal funding.
Non-faculty research staff or administrators may participate but will not be able to serve as PI of the funded project. They should confirm eligibility with their site administrator.
Submission Instructions
The CORES Multi-Institutional Pilot Program requires all applicants to adhere to the following instructions when preparing their LOI. Applications that are late and or do not adhere to the instructions may be administratively withdrawn. The online platform Apply will be utilized to submit applications. Please click here to view the instructions on how to create an Apply account.
If you need assistance working within the Apply online platform, contact Hailey Rogers at hrogers@uams.edu or Paul Duguid at pduguid@uams.edu