Research Pilot Grants The Hartford Silberman Center of Excellence in Aging and Diversity at Hunter College The Hartford Silberman Center of Excellence ( the Center ) announces the opportunity to apply for funding for one-year pilot research projects to begin in the fall 2014. The Center will provide funding of up to $15,000 to support community-based research that advances psychosocial knowledge in aging and enhances direct and indirect practice with older adults and their families. Center faculty will provide grantees with research mentorship and technical assistance. The program is designed to support emerging gerontological scholars in conducting community-engaged, interdisciplinary research that benefits diverse, underrepresented older adults and their families. Priority will be given to proposals that: 1) are consistent with the mission and aims of the Center (see Mission statement below); 2) demonstrate the potential to effect positive change in practice or policy with under-represented older adults; 3) are feasible based on the budget and timeline; and, 4) aim to generate preliminary data to support future applications for federal or foundation grant funding. Eligibility: Eligible applicants include early-career faculty and doctoral students from accredited colleges or universities, and individuals affiliated with community-based organizations (501c3) in the New York metropolitan area. All proposals must identify a lead researcher as Principal Investigator (PI). Application Procedures: Applicants should submit a three-page, single-spaced narrative description of the proposed research (see below for details), excluding references and appendix materials. Proposals are due by midnight Monday June 23rd via email to Rebekah Glushefski at: rglushef@hunter.cuny.edu. All materials should be submitted on a single pdf file attached to the email, with the Principal Investigator s full name in the subject line (Example: Daniel Gardner_ Pilot Grant_2014-15). Applicants will be notified that proposals have been received within 72 hours of receipt of completed submissions. The Review Committee will notify applicants of award decisions by the last week in July. 1
Your proposal must include the following: Cover sheet and Application Checklist (see below) Project Title Principal Investigator (PI) PI s contact information 350-word abstract Research Plan (3 pages maximum, single-spaced, 1 inch margins) Specific aims Research strategy: Significance, Innovation, and Approach (i.e., methods) Preliminary studies (if applicable) Protection of study participants Project timeline Collaborating agency/ies and description of collaboration process (if applicable) Budget and budget justification* (2 pages maximum) Plan for obtaining future funding Anticipated funder(s); specific RFP or mechanism, if known Anticipated submission date How Center pilot funding will make this a competitive proposal Existing or anticipated funding (where applicable)* Letters of support from all participating organizations Biosketches (NIH format) of PI and key study personnel *Note: If the proposed research has funding from other sources (or if PI has applied for such funding), applicants must provide an explanation of the terms of the other funding, how Center funds will be used, and why additional funding is required. Budget: Proposals may request funding up to $15,000. Awards for individual projects may be smaller than this, based on the Review Committee s assessment of need and the number of qualified applications. Program funding will only cover direct and no indirect costs. Budgets can include project personnel, student or research assistance, consultants, training, supplies, travel associated with carrying out the study or disseminating findings, purchase of large datasets, or other expenses associated with the research. Budgets should follow NIH format and be detailed, including line item justification for the funds requested, roles and time commitment of key personnel, equipment, travel, etc. Reporting and other requirements: Awardees will be expected to maintain complete records of all expenditures related to the research project and to justify discrepancies with the proposed or revised budget. A sixmonth progress report and a final report describing fiscal and program activities one month after the end of the grant period will be required. The PI is responsible for reporting any 2
changes to the proposed activities during the course of the grant. All awardees will be required to follow established rules of ethical scientific conduct and to obtain appropriate Institutional Review Board approvals before beginning data collection. Additional requirements will be discussed at the time of the award. Review Process: The Review Committee will consider the following areas in evaluating proposals: The compatibility of the proposed work with the areas of funding listed (see below). The significance, impact, and expected benefit of the study, including: a) the breadth and scope of the population or topic to be studied; b) the relevance and significance of the topic to diverse, under-represented elders; c) the potential of study to advance knowledge and to effect changes in practice and policy affecting older adults, their families and communities. The conceptual and technical merits of the proposed study. This includes: a) the clarity and soundness of the study methods; b) the appropriateness of the methodology to the research questions or aims; and c) research innovation. Note: We welcome quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methodology approaches, as are appropriate to meeting the study aims. The likelihood of successful and timely completion of the proposed work. This is based on an assessment of the applicant's experience and proven ability, as well as the feasibility of the proposed study. Center of Excellence Mission: The Hartford Silberman Center of Excellence in Gerontological Social Work at Hunter College works to advance community-engaged, practice-relevant research, education, policy and practice that meet the bio-psychosocial needs of diverse, under-represented older adults, their caregivers and their communities. The Center s activities in research, collaborative partnerships, education and training aim to enhance the capacity of social workers, community-based organizations and public systems to advance the health and social wellbeing of older individuals, families, and communities. We welcome proposals for research that furthers the Center s mission and substantive areas of interest. These areas include, but are not limited to: Disparities in health and social resources Participant-directed and person-centered services Care coordination and care transitions Long-term services and supports, and models to promote aging in place Management of chronic and progressive illness, palliative and end-of-life care Geriatric mental health and substance abuse practice and policy Impact of current or planned policy changes on services and resources for older adults and their families Poverty, economic insecurity, housing and nutrition in urban communities 3
Identifying unmet needs of vulnerable elders, including Veterans, LGBT individuals, older adults with dementia and their caregivers, undocumented immigrants, older prisoners, survivors of elder abuse and neglect Collaborative partnerships among community-based organizations and coalitions to advocate for and improve services and policies for older adults Translating, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based interventions in practice and policy designed to meet the diverse needs of elders, families and communities Addressing workforce shortages and enhancing geriatric competency among social workers and other professionals serving older adults and caregivers Community-based participatory (CBPR) and participatory action research (PAR) Comparative effectiveness research on interventions and services addressing the needs of diverse elders and communities Please contact Rebekah Glushefski, rglushef@hunter.cuny.edu, Program Manager or Daniel Gardner, dgardn@hunter.cuny.edu, Director of the Center Research Core if you have any additional questions. 4
The Hartford Silberman Center of Excellence in Aging and Diversity at Hunter College Principal Investigator Information Name: COVER SHEET & APPLICATION CHECKLIST Phone: Email: Mailing address: Proposed Project Title: Abstract (300 words maximum) Amount requested: $ Checklist Completed cover sheet Project abstract (350 words maximum) Research plan (3 pages maximum) Budget and budget justification (2 pages maximum) Plan for obtaining future funding Letters of support from all participating organizations Biosketches of PI and key study personnel (NIH format) 5