In this episode of SurgOnc Today, Dr. Christina Angeles, surgical oncologist and Chair of the SSO Research Committee, sits down with two experienced surgical investigators, Dr. Andrew Lowy and Dr. Craig Slingluff, to discuss one of the most challenging steps in advancing surgical research: securing funding for pilot clinical trials. Drawing from their real-world experience designing and running surgical trials, our guests share practical strategies for identifying funding sources, building a competitive application, and navigating setbacks along the way. Whether you are a junior faculty member with your first research idea or a mid-career surgeon looking to expand your trials program, this episode delivers actionable advice to help you turn your clinical observations into funded research.