Why Are Pilot Grants Important in Cancer Research?
Cancer research is a rapidly evolving field that requires continuous innovation to address the complexity and diversity of the disease. Pilot grants are crucial because they allow researchers to explore novel hypotheses and gather preliminary data. This initial data can be used to attract larger, more sustained funding from major agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or private foundations. Essentially, pilot grants serve as a stepping stone, enabling researchers to take significant risks that could lead to groundbreaking discoveries.