RAND-University of Pittsburgh Health Institute
RUPHI-WPIC Pilot Grant Program
Mental Health Focus
The RAND-University of Pittsburgh Health Institute (RUPHI) and the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC) Health Policy Institute are pleased to announce a pilot grant program to encourage collaborative health services research conducted by teams of investigators from RAND and the various schools and departments at the University of Pittsburgh-WPIC, and affiliated institutions. The RUPHI-WPIC Pilot Grant Program provides seed grants to support efforts by junior investigators to promote RAND- University of Pittsburgh-WPIC health services research collaborations.
The RUPHI-WPIC Pilot Grant Program provides grants of up to $25,000 to fund pilot research projects in mental health that will be used to strengthen subsequent larger scale research proposals. University of Pittsburgh-WPIC investigators must have either a primary or secondary appointment at WPIC or are part of a team of WPIC investigators. Projects should be completed within one year of funding. Funds may be used to cover time spent by investigators on the pilot project, supplies, research participant compensation or reimbursement, or other purposes related to the conduct of the research. The funds awarded will support direct costs only; no indirect support will be provided.
These RUPHI-WPIC pilot grants are designed to provide funding for pilot health services research studies that focus on any aspect of mental health. Mental health research can include the entire spectrum of psychiatric and psychological concerns, including anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD, ADD), autism spectrum disorders (pervasive developmental disorders), bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness), borderline personality disorder, depression, eating disorders, alcohol and substance use disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, and social phobia (social anxiety disorder).* Furthermore, these illnesses may occur any time in a person’s life (i.e., children, adolescents, men, women, and older adults). The research conducted under this program is expected to lead to larger efforts that will ultimately help to reduce the burden of mental illness.
Eligibility:
- To be eligible for a RUPHI-WPIC Pilot Grant, a project must involve collaboration between at least one University of Pittsburgh-WPIC investigator and at least one RAND investigator. University of Pittsburgh-WPIC investigators must have either a primary or secondary appointment at WPIC or are part of a team of WPIC investigators. Priority will be given to those projects that allow junior investigators to develop research programs and research strengths.
- Pilot research projects may be led by either RAND or the University of Pittsburgh-WPIC investigators. Investigators from the University of Pittsburgh-WPIC and RAND must have a demonstrably substantial role; assessment of these roles will be a component of the review of the application.
- Investigators must include at least one senior investigator/mentor from RAND or the University of Pittsburgh-WPIC to help guide the conduct of the pilot project.
- Pilot projects should focus on mental health issues.
- One of the expected work products of this pilot project is a substantial proposal submission to a federal agency, foundation, or equivalent organization.
Application Process:
The application will consist of:
- An abstract summarizing the study design and methods (not to exceed 250 words);
- A cover page that includes the title of the proposed pilot project and the name, degree, academic title, primary departmental affiliation, and contact information (telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address) of both the University of Pittsburgh-WPIC investigator and the RAND investigator;
- A description of the relevant background of both the University of Pittsburgh-WPIC investigator and the RAND investigator (not to exceed 200 words per investigator);
- A proposal that includes a description of the pilot project (including specific aims, background and significance, and research design and methods) (not to exceed 5 single-sided pages);
- A description of how these preliminary data will be used in a substantial grant application in the future, including a description of the overall aims and a broad overview of the methods of the future grant proposal. (not to exceed 1 page);
- A budget page and budget justification;
- NIH biographical sketches for all investigators.
Applicants should follow PHS 398 guidelines for the development and format of the proposal. Adherence to type size and line spacing requirements is necessary for several reasons. No applicant should have the advantage, by using small type, of providing more text in his or her application. Small type may also make it difficult for reviewers to read the application. The application must be clear, readily legible, and conform to the following three requirements: 1) the font must be 11-point; 2) margins, in all directions, must be at least 1/2 inch; 3) text in figures, charts, tables, figure legends, and footnotes may be smaller in size but must be in black ink and readily legible. If these are not legible, there may be a negative impact on the evaluation of the application.
Proposals of this pilot grant program are due May 15, 2008. The full application will be reviewed by the RUPHI-University of Pittsburgh-WPIC Pilot Grant Review Committee. Since funds are limited, all expenditures must be carefully justified. Up to 3 awards will be made. Approved applications will be funded beginning June 15, 2008.
RUPHI Activities: Successful applicants will be encouraged to attend or participate in: the weekly Health Services Research Seminar sponsored by the Center for Research on Health Care (CRHC), the Center for Health Equity and Promotion (CHERP), and RAND; the monthly RAND Health Brownbag Seminar Series; the biweekly CRHC Research Development Seminar (RDS), and appropriate WPIC activities such as the monthly Multidisciplinary Mental Health Services Research Seminar (MMHSR). At the RDS, successful applicants will be expected to present the progress of their projects during the course of the grant.
Subsequent Extramural Support: This pilot funding is intended to result in the collection of sufficient preliminary data and results to support the preparation and submission of substantial, formal proposals designed to obtain extramural support. These larger proposals should maintain the collaborative arrangements between RAND and University of Pittsburgh-WPIC.
Submission of Proposals: Eight (8) copies of the proposal should be sent to:
RAND- University of Pittsburgh Health Institute
c/o RAND Corporation
Attn: Gina Yayo
4570 Fifth Avenue, Suite 600
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
One (1) copy should be sent electronically to:
Proposal Due Date: May 15, 2008
Questions Regarding the Program: Scientific and other questions can be addressed to RUPHI Associate Directors: Donna Keyser or Deborah Seltzer.
RUPHI/CTSI Pilot Grant Project Reviewer Guidelines:
Applicants:
- Do the investigators from RAND and University of Pittsburgh-WPIC have substantial responsibilities and roles in the project?
- Are the applicants prepared, in terms of background and experiences, to undertake this project?
- Is there a senior investigator (from either RAND or University of Pittsburgh-WPIC) to help guide the conduct of the project?
- Is the research plan appropriate to the applicants’ stage of training and experience?
Pilot Project Research Plan:
Significance:
- Does the project focus on mental health issues?
- Does the proposal reflect good knowledge of the research content area?
- Does this study address an important problem?
- If the aims of the application and the future work are achieved, will clinical practice be advanced?
Approach:
- Is the conceptual or clinical framework adequate and feasible?
- Are the design, methods, and analyses adequate and feasible?
Innovation:
- Is the project original and innovative? For example: Does the project challenge existing paradigms or clinical practice; address an innovative hypothesis or critical barrier to progress in the field?
- Does the project develop or employ novel concepts, approaches, methodologies, tools, or technologies for this area?
Environment:
- Does the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success?
Future Work:
- Is the way in which the preliminary data will be used in a substantial grant application in the future adequately described (including a description of the overall aims and a broad overview of the methods of the future grant proposal)?
- Does it appear feasible that this pilot work could lead to a substantial grant/research project?
Budget and Budget Justification:
- Does the budget seem reasonable and appropriate to carry out the work proposed?
- Is the budget justification sufficient to support the request for funds?