Pilot/Small Projects Program

BACKGROUND
The Heartland Center for Occupational Health and Safety supported by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) announces the availability of funds to support pilot projects. Research projects must focus on National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) priority areas (see description below).

WHO MAY APPLY
This pilot program mechanism especially encourages doctoral students, post-doctoral fellows, and occupational medicine residents to apply. Each proposal submitted by a student, fellow or resident must have a faculty sponsor who will oversee the research. Faculty new to the field of occupational health and safety are also eligible for funds.

FY 2008 AWARDS
These pilot project funds will be awarded on a competitive basis. The maximum award is $20,000. Awards cover a one-year period (7/1/08 – 6/30/09). No carry-over will be allowed. No indirect costs or meeting/conference travel can be covered. Faculty salary support is not allowed. Awards are contingent on the continuation of federal funding for the next fiscal year.

APPLICATION MECHANISM
            Please follow this format. Each of the 6 main sections must begin on a new page.

Cover Page

• Proposal Title, investigator (Identify the PI), affiliation, and Abstract (300 words max)

Proposal (5 pages maximum, single spaced, 12-point font)

• Specific Aims
• Background and Significance
• Research Plan (linked to each Specific Aim)
• Relevance to NORA Research Priority Areas (see NORA explanation below)
• Potential for Future Grant Support (for faculty PI) and Expected Products (conferences, papers, etc)
• Timeline - covering the period July 08 to June 09.

References

Detailed Budget and Budget Justification

• For a student PI, this section must include a detailed description of the role of, and duties to be performed by, the student (even if no support is requested for the student).

Human Subjects Statement

• For projects involving human subjects, approval by an appropriate institutional review board (IRB) must be obtained prior to funding. The PI of the pilot grant must be listed as the PI on the IRB approval document. In this section of the application provide (1) a statement of assurance to demonstrate that the project will be subject to initial and continuing reviews by the an IRB, (2) a description of, and justification for, the total number of subjects, and (3) a breakdown of subject inclusion of women, minorities, and children as per DHHS and NIH requirements. Any use of animal subjects will likewise require approval by an institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC).

Appendix

• For student-PI grants, letter of support from the faculty sponsor
• 2-page biosketch for each faculty investigator/PI
• 1-page resume for each student investigator/PI
             

NORA
Information on the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/. From 1996 to 2007, NORA established three key occupational health research needs: Disease and Injury, Environment and Workforce, and Tools and Approaches. Within these three areas were subcategories of important research areas as given at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/99-108.html. However, this process is now being changed to a “sector-based” approach that seeks to identify the research needs within various occupational sectors as explained at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/sector.html. The process of determining the research needs within each sector is currently ongoing. In the interim, these pilot grants should consist of research associated with a particular sector group (for example “Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing”) and that addresses at least one of the subcategories defined in the earlier NORA approach as given at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/99-108.html, (for example “Traumatic Injuries”).

PROPOSAL REVIEW
A Scientific Review Committee of regional occupational health and safety specialists will evaluate pilot grant applications in a process modeled after that used by federal study sections. Applications will be reviewed and scored in the following areas (in order of relevance):

• Relevance to NORA priority areas in occupational health and safety
• Scientific merit (originality, validity and reliability of methods, quality assurance)
• Project feasibility in terms of budget, timetable, and applicant expertise
• Capacity to build research skills in trainees and junior investigators
• Potential for future grant support or significance of grant outcomes
• Appropriateness of the budget
• Meeting regional occupational health and safety needs
• Participation of multiple stakeholders (including employers, employees, and academic institutions)

SUBMISSION PROCEDURE, DEADLINE, AND AWARD DATE
Please send six copies and an electronic version (Word file) of the application, no later than March 3, 2008 in order to be considered. Applicants will be notified of an award decision in April.

Send Copies to:
Heartland Center for Occupational Health & Safety
Attention:  Karlyn Harthoorn
100 Oakdale Campus, #124 IREH
Iowa City, IA 52242-5000

Send electronic files to:
Ms. Karlyn Harthoorn at karlyn-harthoorn@uiowa.edu