Mini Grants for Academic- Community Research

1. Mini Grants for Academic- Community Research Meharry Vanderbilt Community Engaged Research Core Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research

2. Whycommunity? Recognition that “traditional research”: Has often failed to solve complex health problems Is not well suited for translating knowledge into practice Does not adequately address community health needs

3. Why research? Articulate community health priorities Answer questions about your community Identify better ways to promote health Evaluate programs/interventions Adapt or test new programs/interventions Improve effectiveness or cultural appropriateness of programs/interventions

4. Why partnerships? Educate researchers about real life community health challenges Provide access to clinical trials for your clients/patients Translate promising clinical breakthroughs into health improvements Have input on projects that affect your community Access wider range of funding sources for both community organizations and researchers

5. Community Engaged Research Brings community and academic partners together to design and conduct health-relatedresearch that will enhance the collective capacityand address community health priorities.

6. Defininghealth. Health: a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Social determinants of health: the economic and social conditions that influence the health of individuals and communities.

7. Purpose of Mini Grants Stimulate new academic-community research partnerships Preliminary work and generation of pilot data on community-identified health concerns Build capacity of community organizations and coalitions to participate in research partnerships Build capacity of academic researchers to work collaboratively with community

8. Types of Activities Partnership building activities Identifying community health priorities Analyzing existing data Collecting pilot data for larger study Testing or adapting community based interventions or educational materials Implementing change in practice or protocol to improve services

9. Past Projects Development of community food asset map Community conference to identify health challenges among African American men in Nashville Creation of regional advisory council to plan community and faith-based HIV prevention strategies Pilot testing of an after-school obesity prevention program Introduce new training program for women with dual mental health diagnoses and assessed outcomes for agency. Introduce new activity into senior citizen program to assess improvements in mental health.

10. Past projects Forum for neighborhood groups to create action plans to address neighborhood health challenges Live Spanish-language radio show that features health and research topics Assess feasibility of urban walking trails to boost physical activity levels in North Nashville Intensive interviews with recent refugee population to understand how to improve services for newcomers Focus groups with African-American men to understand barriers to health care use and persistent health disparities

11. Sample Budget Items Incentives for focus group participants GIS mapping Food for community meetings Printing Equipment such as heart rate monitors and pedometers Training material development Focus group facilitator expenses Data collection and analysis expenses Radio air time Materials translation

12. Grant will not cover: Operating support for existing programs Direct services Health fairs Regular staff salary Total requests more than $5,000 Time periods longer than 12 months

13. Desired Outcomes Pilot data or other findings to direct future research Grant proposal for larger project Publications Evidence to advocate practice or policy change Groundwork for stable, on-going partnerships

14. Actual Outcomes Proposals to NIDA, CDC and EPA for larger research projects Outcomes shared with policymakers and service providers to strengthen community-based services Expansion of coalition activities around food advocacy Based on data collected in pilot, local funding secured to support program Increased community understanding of and participation in cancer clinical trials New intervention adopted for improved mental health service Innovation in neighborhood pharmacy service delivery

15. Requirements Community organization is applicant Meharry or Vanderbilt research partner* Community partner is federally tax-exempt IRB requirements met Maximum request: $5,000 Average request: $2,600-$3,600 *Other universities may be involved as well (in fact this is encouraged), and the Meharry or Vanderbilt partner does not have to be the lead researcher.

16. Requirements No more than 4 pages with minimal, explanatory appendices only. No smaller than 12 pt. type. Submit by email. Organizations not previously funded are priority Graduate students need involvement of faculty mentor to assure sustainability of partnership.

17. Timeline and Reporting Complete within 1 year of receiving funding Report upon completion Interim report if longer than 6 months Submit any products Periodic follow-up to track impact on research partnerships

18. Evaluation Criteria The role of each partner in the developmentand implementation of the project is clearly described. Purposeof project/research question is well defined and addresses an important health concern. The plan for/design ofthe project is described and is suitable to the purpose/research question being proposed.

19. Evaluation Criteria The project is likely to producemutualbenefits for both the community and academic partner and lead to a stronger,moresustainable, relationship. The anticipatedproductsof this proposal are clearly described and attainable within the time frame proposed. Overall impact is significant………….. The budget is appropriate and documented.

20. Format suggestions • Give enough background to help reviewers understand the importance of the research question/project in general and to the community in particular. • Highlight the strengths that each of the partners brings to the project, and the contribution each partner made to development of the proposal. • May cite some relevant articles or past work, but this is not intended to be a literature review. • May submit limited attachments if relevant to the proposal • Surveys that will be administered • Job descriptions or organizational charts • Background data on problem being addressed • Logic models for program [Attachments will not necessarily be reviewed but will be available if questions].

21. Evaluation process Review committee of six—3 CERC academic advisory board members and 3 CERC community advisory board members. Each reviewer rates each proposal independently using criteria and identifies questions. Reviewer ratings and questions returned to CERC staff for tallying, answering. Review committee meets to develop final impact score and decide whether to award, award pending recommended revisions, encourage resubmission, refer for VICTR funding, reject. Announcements one month from submission date.

22. Award process Preparation of mini-grant agreement based on template that is signed by CERC and community partners (Grants and Contracts). Check issued for total amount to community partner or intermediary (Finance folks). Site visit during grant period and Report due at end of grant work to describe progress and document expenses. Follow up one year afterward to assess if partnership sustained. Recipient obligated to repay grant if funds misused or work deviates from approved proposal.

23. Award Process Funds being distributed are not federal dollars, but institutional funds. Lump sum given to community partner. Taking 6-8 weeks minimum to get funds to recipient following return of contract.

24. Need help finding a partner? Community Research Partners monthly meetings and weekly listserv. Community Research Partners Website: www.communityresearchpartners.net Contact: tiffany.israel@vanderbilt.edu.

25. Questions? This presentation is posted for reference: http://mc.vanderbilt.edu/victr/pub/community Contact: clare.sullivan@vanderbilt.eduor 322-0593