Journal of Research Administration最新文献

A major pre-award administrative challenge research universities face is turnaround time for generation of high-quality NIH Data Training Tables for NIH training grants (e.g., T32, K12, TL1, KL2, R25s) which are required for training grant submission proposals to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Universities with dedicated training grant submission offices generally require data preparation following a structured timeline of several months in advance of the grant submission due date, while other universities with less or no dedicated support for training grant submissions use an ad hoc approach. In these cases, department or program administrators may collect the data manually, in Excel or REDCap, or similar manually maintained methods for those tables requested by the specific NIH grant announcement for the relevant participating graduate predoctoral and/or postdoctoral (including clinical) training programs across the university, depending on the training focus and the "participating faculty" provided by the proposed program director (PD/PI) for the grant. We describe an efficient "federated" method of data collection and construction for NIH Tables (2, 4, 5A/B, 6A/B & -8A part III/8C part III) for new and renewal applications by combining the use of REDCap and NIH xTRACT, leveraging the strengths of each.

Background: Pilot project programs offer early-stage and other investigators support to pursue emerging research areas, explore new methodologies, gain experience as principal investigators, and collect pilot data needed to pursue larger extramural research funding, such as from the National Institutes of Health. Pilot project programs may be particularly important to early-stage investigators from underrepresented backgrounds, who must overcome unique challenges to launching careers in community-based participatory research. This paper describes the structure, function, and impact of the Native Center for Alcohol Research and Education (NCARE) Pilot Project Core.

Methods: During four calls for applications from 2018 to 2021, research investigators interested in conducting alcohol use disorder research in partnership with Tribal communities were recruited, with a focus on early-stage and American Indian and Alaska Native investigators. Eligible investigators were required to submit letters of intent prior to preparing full applications, which underwent a rigorous review process.

Results: Eight pilot projects were awarded. Of the eight pilot project investigators, seven were early-stage scholars, seven were female, and four identified as American Indian or Alaska Native. The funded projects included two primary areas of research, epidemiological studies and intervention projects. Once funded, the Pilot Project Core assisted pilot project investigators with securing approvals for their research studies, responding to methodological and analysis questions, and mentoring and monitoring of their progress. At the time of writing this paper, three pilot project investigators have completed their pilot projects, three investigators are currently collecting data, and one is in the analysis phase. One pilot project investigator did not complete their project due to COVID-19 restrictions early in the pandemic. The pilot project investigators submitted 36 grant proposals for independent external funding and received 25 grants after funding of their pilot project; four were directly related to pilot project grants. Additionally, four peer-reviewed manuscripts resulting from Pilot Project Core support were published.

Conclusions: Despite challenges related to COVID-19 pandemic the pilot project funding through NCARE provided eight pilot grants, half of which identified as AI/AN and most of which led directly to multiple grants and papers. The NCARE pilot program provides a model for other similar programs seeking to support early-stage investigators who identify as AI/AN or other groups underrepresented in science.