Pilot Project Grant Program

The objective of the HWCE pilot project grant program is to encourage development of new and creative research oriented towards prevention/intervention and translation with promise to lead to more comprehensive studies addressing occupational and non-occupational health risks of workers. Projects must integrate health protection and health promotion. Proposals that focus on only health protection or health promotion (i.e., not integrated approaches) will not be considered responsive to this RFP. Awards will cover a one-year period and all funding is conditional of the availability of funds to the HWCE. Three types of pilot projects will be considered:

• New Investigator Awards: The HWCE will fund at least one new investigator award focused on the integration of employee health protection and health promotion consistent with the goals of the HWCE. New investigators may include junior faculty, post-doctoral trainees, medical residents and fellows, doctoral students, senior scientific staff, and senior faculty new to the Total Worker Health™ and HWCE programs.
• Student Research Projects: The HWCE will fund at least two student research projects focused on the integration of employee health protection and health promotion consistent with the goals of the HWCE. Advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, medical residents, and fellows from the health sciences, engineering, or other applicable programs are encouraged to apply. Each student research proposal must have a faculty sponsor who will oversee the research.
• Community-based Projects: Depending on available funds, the HWCE anticipates awarding at least one community-based project focused on the integration of employee health protection and health promotion consistent with the goals of the HWCE. In particular, projects focused on the design, implementation, or evaluation of new or existing integrated health protection and health promotion programs are highly desired.

Eligibility

• New Investigator and Student Awards: Any faculty member, post-doctoral trainee, medical resident or fellow, graduate student, undergraduate student, or senior scientific staff (e.g., research scientists) with an interest in employee health protection and health promotion at The University of Iowa is eligible to apply. Researchers and students affiliated with other Midwest institutions who have an interest in the NIOSH Total Worker Health initiative are also eligible. Questions about eligibility should be directed to Dr. Nathan Fethke (nathan-fethke@uiowa.edu; 319-467-4563).
• Community-based Awards: Any public or private health care provider organization or employer organization interested in employee health protection and promotion and possessing the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out their proposed project is invited to respond to this RFP. Such organizations may include for profit, non-profit, and public organizations including units of local or state government and faith- or other community-based organizations. Priority will be given to applications from Iowa organizations or organizations which provide health care services to Iowa employees. Organizations that serve under-represented racial and ethnic groups, as well as organizations serving those with disabilities, are especially encouraged to apply. Questions about eligibility should be directed to Dr. Diane Rohlman (diane-rohlman@uiowa.edu; 319-384-4007).

Active Requests for Proposals:

• Request for New Investigator, Student and Community Pilot Proposals
  Application deadline: April 19, 2013
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