Funding-Southeast Center for Ag Health and
Injury grants; deadline Jan. 31, 2009
Southeast Center for Agricultural Health and
Injury Prevention
Feasibility Project Program in Agricultural Health and Safety
Grant
Opportunities Announcement
Applications received from October 1, 2008 to January 31, 2009.
In collaboration with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Southeast Center announces the availability of awards for feasibility projects that focus on agricultural occupational safety and health among human populations in the southeastern United States. These funds are intended to support pilot projects that can lead to larger funded studies.
Priority will be given to applicants from Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Virginia, and West Virginia. New faculty, doctoral students,
residents in occupational medicine, Extension specialists, and other professionals who have not received a major grant award in agricultural health research are especially encouraged to apply.
Any research, prevention/intervention, or education/translation project within a broad range of occupational health and injury topics in agriculture (i.e., farming, forestry, and fishing) is welcome. The Southeast Center places special emphasis on transdisciplinary projects and the translation of research to practice (r2p). Literature reviews will not be funded, nor will projects that merely disseminate information.
However, novel educational programs with a strong evaluation component will be considered. Studies of occupational hazards and their prevention in forestry and logging are especially encouraged. Historically, the Center has awarded a limited number of $25,000 awards and $12,500 awards (direct costs) in each funding cycle. Projects may span 1 to 2 years. Accordingly, studies must be completed within 12 or 24 months of the date of award, and a final report must be filed within 90 days upon completion of the project (i.e., 15 or 27 months from the date of award). Monies may be used for specialized equipment, domestic travel, research assistants, and other costs necessary to complete the study. Indirect costs shall not exceed 46.5 percent. Travel costs for one trip to Lexington to present study results must be included in the budget. Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received.
• Deadline for application is January 31, 2009.
• At least two expert members of the Review Panel will examine and score each application.
• Copies of this announcement, detailed instructions, and cover forms can be found online at
http://www.mc.uky.edu/scahip/ posted under Research.
Contact: 2009 Feasibility Project Program
c/o Teresa A. Donovan, MPH
Southeast Center for Agricultural Health and Injury Prevention
University of Kentucky College of Public Health
1141 Red Mile Road, Suite 102
Lexington, Kentucky 40504-9842
Phone: 859-323-4602, Fax: 859-254-3760
The Southeast Center for Agricultural Health and Injury Prevention is directed by Robert H. McKnight,
MPH, ScD, Professor and Chair of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, UK College of Public Health.
Southeast Center for Agricultural Health and Injury Prevention
University of Kentucky
Feasibility Project Program (FPP)
2009 Grant Opportunities
Detailed
Instructions for Proposal Submission
Applications received from October 1, 2008 to January 31, 2009.
The Southeast Center for Agricultural Health and Injury Prevention provides grant funding to
encourage new and innovative pilot studies in agricultural occupational safety and health. As one of a select number of agricultural research centers funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (CDC/NIOSH), the Southeast Center has established a feasibility project program (FPP). Its purpose is to increase scientific understanding through pilot studies involving agricultural occupational health and safety in the Center’s 10-state service region: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Applications are sought from investigators who possess the vision and skills to complete a project and to use its results to seek additional funding for larger/longer-term endeavors. Applicants can select from one of three types of projects:
Research Projects
For the purposes of the FPP, research is defined as a process of discovery using quantitative or qualitative scientific methods to explore or develop research questions or hypotheses, with the aim of preventing human injury and illness in agriculture. Research activities can be laboratory based, data based, field based, or community based, and include studies in epidemiology, industrial hygiene, health education, nursing, engineering, clinical medicine, public health, health services administration, biostatistics, environmental health, health policy, social and behavioral science, economics, and other disciplines. Studies can address any of a variety of occupational safety and health issues in agriculture (defined as farming, fishing, or forestry), including needs among special populations such as migrant farm workers, children, older farmers, women, and farmers with disabilities, et al. Studies of occupational hazards and their prevention in logging and forestry are especially encouraged at this time.
Prevention/Intervention
Projects
Prevention/intervention projects are studies that test promising approaches in actual agricultural field settings. Prevention/intervention projects may include efforts to eliminate or reduce exposure, practices or policies that further agricultural occupational health and safety, projects to demonstrate the value of screening, and related public health approaches to detect disorders and diseases in early stages. Projects also may examine the larger value of prevention systems (i.e., workplace or public policy) in reducing hazards to, and adverse outcomes among, agricultural workers. Other prevention/intervention projects might examine the utility and impact of new and existing measures in the workplace, such as engineering controls/control technologies, personal protective equipment, worker training programs, etc.
To enhance needs assessment and project relevance, prevention/intervention projects should
have significant involvement of agricultural stakeholders. Active participation of the target
population is expected, as is an evaluation plan to determine the efficacy of the intervention.
Education/Translation
Projects
Education/translation projects focus on applying existing knowledge and theory into products or practices that meet the needs of stakeholders and promote measurable improvements in
agricultural health and safety practice and/or rates of injury and illness. Examples of
education/translation projects include demonstration projects that expand the use of effective
interventions, projects that disseminate innovations, and community-based participatory research projects where researchers and subjects work as partners toward health and safety objectives. A strong evaluation component is expected with education/translation projects.
A. Eligibility
Priority will be given to applicants from the ten southeastern states served by the Center: AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, and WV. New faculty, doctoral students, occupational medicine residents, agricultural extension agents, state government employees, and other professionals who have not received a major grant award for agricultural health research are especially encouraged to apply. Principal investigators who have previously received a feasibility award from the Center are not eligible. Award recipients must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident.
B. Other Requirements
Budget Period: Maximum of 24 months from start date, which will be between December 1,
2008 and March 30, 2009.
Grant Amount: Awards will be up to $25,000 for direct costs. Historically, a limited number of
$25,000 and $12,500 grants have been awarded through each cycle of the annual Feasibility
Projects program. Indirect costs may be requested at a rate not to exceed 46.5 percent. All funds must be expended within 24 months of the project start date.
Deadline: Proposals must be received at the Southeast Center by 5:00 p.m. on January 31, 2009.
Allowable Expenses: Itemize project expenses, including support personnel, supplies, travel
necessary to conduct the research, and small equipment items. Equipment purchased for the
project becomes the property of the sponsoring agency. Funds allocated for computer equipment cannot exceed $500. Budget justification must be provided. Monies may be used for specialized equipment, domestic travel, research assistants, and other costs necessary to complete the study.
Indirect costs up to 46.5% are allowed. For awards up to $12,500 combined investigator and
mentor salary must be less than $7,000. For awards up to $25,000 combined investigator and
mentor salary must be less than $10,000. Travel costs for one trip to Lexington to present study results must be included in the budget.
Rev. 09/03/08 3
Disallowed Expenses: Indirect costs > 46.5%, computer equipment exceeding $500.
Other: No supplemental funding beyond the approved budget will be available.
C. Application Format
Compile your application in the following sequence.
Cover Sheet
Complete the 1-page Grant Application Cover Sheet. Attach the following information.
Abstract / Project
Description
In 250 words or less, describe the type of project you are proposing (i.e., research, prevention/
intervention, or education/translation).
Budget/Justification
Provide budget justification consistent with proposed study and timeline. Successful candidates and/or mentors will be required to travel to UK to present the results of their project. Travel costs for one trip to Lexington to present study results must be included in the budget.
Biographical Sketches
Provide a biographical sketch for the PI, supervisor, mentor, and consultants. Include details
about other research support (for PI, other
key personnel, mentor)
Details of the
Proposed Study
Do not exceed 10 pages for items 1 through 5 below. The detailed project description must be
single spaced, using Arial 11 point type on 8.5 x 11-inch paper, with one-inch margins.
1. Specific Aims
2. Background
3. Methods and Data Analysis
4. Expected Results
5. Future Directions (Maximum of 10 pages
for these items, 1 through 5).
6. Protection of Human or Animal Subjects (not part of the 10-page limit). If humans or
animals are used in the project, then a section on human subjects or animal protection must
be included. If available, a copy of the project’s approval by an appropriate human or animal
subjects' committee should be included in the application. Human (IRB) or animal care
approval must be obtained before the University of Kentucky will fund the project. If human
subjects or animal protection approval is not available at the time the proposal is submitted,
investigators are urged to submit human/animal paperwork to their respective agencies
simultaneously with this application and forward the approval letter as soon as possible.
7. Timetable
8. References
9. Letters of Support
If the investigator is a student, a faculty mentor must be listed and his or her biographical
sketch must be included. Also include a letter of support from the mentor indicating the
Rev. 09/03/08 4
student investigator’s ability to complete the proposed study in accordance with the
timetable, his or her potential as a researcher, and the potential for future funding.
10. Appendices (e.g., data collection forms, other letters of support and commitment, etc.)
Mail the original plus
five copies to:
Feasibility Project Program
c/o Teresa A. Donovan, MPH
Southeast Center for Agricultural Health and Injury Prevention
University of Kentucky
Suite 102, 1141 Red Mile Road
Lexington, Kentucky 40504-9842
D. Questions
Please direct questions to Teresa Donovan at 859-323-4602 or tdono2@email.uky.edu. Copies of these instructions and cover forms may be found online at http://www.mc.uky.edu/scahip/ under Research.
E. Review Process
Each proposal will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
Criteria Weight (100 total points)
Significance/Relevance (20 points) Does this study address an important problem in agricultural occupational safety and health? If the project aims are achieved, how will scientific knowledge be advanced? Is the study likely to advance the translation of research to practice? Does this study have the potential to reduce rates of injury and illness among farmers, farm workers, and/or farm family members?
Approach (20 points) Are the conceptual framework, design (including composition of study
population), and methods adequately developed and thoroughly appropriate to the project aims?
Can this project be accomplished in the timeline presented? Has the PI obtained “buy-in” (i.e.,
letters of support) from relevant stakeholders? Is the study protocol ready for Human Subjects
review/Institutional Review Board approval? Does the applicant recognize limitations or
potential problems and consider alternative strategies and tactics?
Innovation (20 points) Does the project employ novel concepts, approaches, or methods? Are
the aims original? Does the project challenge existing paradigms or develop new technologies or methods?
Future Funding Potential (15 points) Does the project have the potential of obtaining pilot data
that may increase the probability of developing larger fundable R01-type or other research grants or contracts in the future?
Investigator (12 points) Does the investigator have sufficient skills and support to meet the
project aims? Are additional expertise and suitable guidance available to the PI (e.g., mentor or research team)? It is recognized that the feasibility grant applicant may have little or no
experience in writing grant applications, so appropriate allowances are given when evaluating
each application; however, the application must conform to format and content requirements
specified in this announcement.
New Investigator (5 points) For investigators who have not received a previous grant in the past 5 years in excess of $5,000 to study agricultural safety and health issues.
Environment (8 points) Does the environment in which the work will be performed contribute to
the probability of success? Does the proposed project increase the institution’s ability to conduct agricultural health and safety research and contribute to regional needs? Does the project involve multiple stakeholders (employers, employees, and academicians)?
Review Panel
Each proposal will undergo a rigorous merit review process. At least two members of the review
panel will examine each proposal. Reviewers may include those with different areas of expertise.
Please keep this in mind when preparing the application and avoid the use of jargon. Explain
technical terms and include sufficient background information to enable reviewers to judge the
soundness of the proposal. Proposals will be reviewed in the order they are received. Award
recipients will be notified of results within 6 weeks of receipt of application.
F. Monitoring Progress
and Progress Report Submission Requirements
Investigators will be scheduled to present their progress at a feasibility project seminar called
"Works in Progress." Dates and location will be announced at a later time.
A brief written interim report will be due six months after the funding begins.
A written final report will be due 90 days after the project end date. (Final written report is due
15 months following the award of one-year funding, 27 months following the award of two-year
funding.) The report must document study results, as well as presentations, publications, and
extramural funds that have ensued directly or indirectly from the award. A notice with formatting
instructions will be sent to the investigator before the due date for the final report.
A brief written summary will be submitted along with the final report detailing the actual
disposition of funds compared with the original budget categories.
The principal investigator must acknowledge support from the Southeast Center for Agricultural Health and Injury Prevention Feasibility Project Program in all related publications resulting from the feasibility grant award.
In order for this type of funding to continue, CDC/NIOSH expects to see measurable and future
benefits. For up to three years after FPP funding ends, the investigator may be asked to provide details on additional publications and presentations resulting from the feasibility study, as well as updates on new proposals that resulted from the findings of the study.
Checklist
□ Cover Page signed by appropriate official
□ Abstract /Project
Description < 250 words
□ Budget with Justification
□ Biographical Sketch
□ Principal
Investigator (PI) include other research support
□ Mentor (if
applicable)
□ Co-investigators
(if applicable)
Details of Proposed Study
□ Specific Aims
□ Background
□ Methods and Data Analysis
□ Expected Results
□ Future Directions
↑ Total pages for Details
of Proposed Study < 10
□ Human
Subjects/Vertebrate animals (if applicable)
□ Timetable
□ References (2 pages maximum)
□ Letter from Mentor if PI is a student
□ Appendices (other letters of support, copies of data
collection forms, etc.)
□ Mail original and
5 copies of completed application to:
Feasibility Project Program
c/o Teresa A. Donovan, MPH
Southeast Center for Agricultural Health and Injury Prevention
University of Kentucky College of Public Health
1141 Red Mile Road, Suite 102
Lexington, Kentucky 40504-9842
Southeast Center for Agricultural Health
and Injury Prevention
Feasibility Project
Program in Agricultural Health and Safety
Grant
Application Cover Page
Title of Proposal:
Amount Requested:
Principal Investigator:
Co-Investigator
or Mentor:
Project will be
administered by the Department of
Human Subjects or
Vertebrate Animals
Yes Copy
of IRB approval letter with signature, protocol number and expiration date must
be attached
No
Proposal Checklist
Cover page
Abstract
/Project Description < 250 words
Budget details
with justification
Biographical
Sketches
Principal Investigator
(PI), Co-Investigator(s),
Mentor (if applicable)
Other Research
Support for PI
Details of
Proposed Study
Specific Aims
Background
Methods and Data
Analysis
Expected
Results
Future
Directions
↑ Total pages for Details of Proposed
Study < 10
Human
Subjects/Vertebrate Animals (if applicable)
Timetable
References (2
pages maximum)
Letter from
Mentor if PI is a student
Appendices
(other letters of support, copies of data collection
forms, etc.)
Submit original and 5 copies of completed application to:
2009 Feasibility Project
Program
c/o Teresa A. Donovan, MPH
Southeast Center for
Agricultural Health and Injury Prevention
University of Kentucky
College of Public Health
1141 Red Mile Road, Suite
102
Lexington, Kentucky
40504-9842
Phone: 859-323-4602
Rev. 09/08
Administrative contact:
Name, Phone,
Email
Department Chair:
Name, Phone, Email
Mailing
Address
Print Name,
Title and Department
Phone Number
and Email
Signature
Mailing
Address
Print Name,
Title, and Department
Phone Number
and Email
Signature