Delaware Health Sciences Alliance (DHSA) is seeking population health research proposals from students, faculty, or staff affiliated with any of DHSA’s member institutions. This is a “shark tank” type event with real-time presentations, judging and awards!
This year, proposals are requested to have a focus on health disparities. Proposals may address any area of population health related to or impacting health disparities, including but not limited to social determinants of health, environmental health, behavioral and mental health and COVID-19.
The deadline to submit proposals is October 13 at 11:59 p.m. Proposals submitted after the deadline will not be considered. The researcher(s) with the highest score will receive a check for $50,000 to fund their proposal.
Please submit all proposals and questions to Pamela Gardner, DHSA Lead Program Manager.
Background
The DHSA Research Competition was established to foster collaboration between colleagues at our partner institutions. We favor projects in population health, including topical areas of interest (in this case, COVID-19).
DHSA was established in 2009 with four founding partners – ChristianaCare, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, Thomas Jefferson University, and the University of Delaware. The newly expanded membership includes Bayhealth, the Delaware Academy of Medicine / Delaware Public Health Association and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
This unique, broad-based partnership focuses innovative collaborations among colleagues in medical education and practice, health economics and policy, population sciences, public health, and biomedical sciences and engineering. We encourage multidisciplinary collaborations with strong community engagement.
In 2019, the Delaware Health Sciences Alliance (DHSA) launched its first annual Research Competition in ‘shark tank’ format, awarding a $50,000 grant to the winner.
Proposals must include:
- Researcher’s Name(s)
- Structured Abstract, including the overall research plan, innovative aspect of the proposal, budget, and how the funds will be utilized. Funds may not be utilized for salary support.
- Proposed partnership with at least two of DHSA’s partner organizations. Partner organizations include ChristianaCare, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, Thomas Jefferson University, the University of Delaware, Bayhealth, the Delaware Academy of Medicine / Delaware Public Health Association, and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
- Applicant cannot include only one researcher who spans multiple DHSA organizations, there must be a minimum of two researchers from 2 or more DHSA organizations to ensure collaboration.
- A letter of support from each applicant’s Department chair or institutional leaders, such as VP of Research or VP of Academic Affairs (or equivalent) is expected. The letter should address the institution’s interest in collaborating across the DHSA and in supporting the applicant(s) in their work.
Review Process:
- All proposals will be vetted by a review committee.
- The top three scoring proposals will advance to a live, virtual presentation and pitch to the DHSA panel in mid to late fall. Finalists will have 15 minutes to pitch their proposal and the panel (along with community members) will have time alloted to ask questions. A rubric will be utilized by the panel and a numerical score will be given to each proposal. The researcher(s) with the highest score will receive a check for $50,000 to fund their proposal.
- DHSA reserves the right to evaluate the final project and timeline one year after awarding funding. If funds have not been utilized after 12 months, upon review, DHSA will either grant an extension of time or require unused funds be returned to DHSA.