South Central MIRECC
Pilot Study Research Program

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The South Central Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) invites pilot study applications that support its mission:

To improve access to evidence-based practices in rural and other underserved populations, including recently returning war veterans, veterans experiencing natural disasters, and
vulnerable elderly veterans.

[Extracted from full Request for Proposals.]

Goals

The ultimate goal of the South Central MIRECC pilot study program is to stimulate research that can be used to develop clinical policy or programs that improve access, quality and outcomes of mental heath and substance abuse treatment services for rural and underserved veterans. This request for pilot study applications is intended to increase both the quantity and quality of federally funded research that will help better understand the experiences of rural/underserved veterans and which supports the development and dissemination of evidence-based practices that can make a real difference in the lives of rural/underserved veterans. The South Central MIRECC encourages pilot study applications that will lead to federally funded research programs designed to improve the delivery of services by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), as well as help community partners better serve the behavioral health needs of rural/underserved veterans.

Types of Studies

The South Central MIRECC invites three types of pilot study applications: observational pilot studies, intervention pilot studies, and implementation pilot studies. Pilot studies are needed to support the submission of highly competitive grant applications to federal agencies. Observational pilot studies include qualitative research, survey research, chart reviews, and analyses of administrative data. Observational pilot studies are needed to justify the objectives and validate the proposed methods of large scale observational studies. Observational pilot studies are also needed to help inform the design of interventions and implementation strategies for large scale intervention and implementation studies. Intervention pilot studies are needed to demonstrate the acceptability, safety, feasibility, and/or preliminary effectiveness of interventions to support grant applications proposing randomized trials. Implementation pilot studies are needed to cultivate partnerships, conduct needs assessments, develop educational tools and informatics applications, and conduct small scale feasibility demonstrations to support grant applications proposing regional demonstrations and national rollouts of evidence-based practices.

Award amount

The maximum award under this Request for Pilot Study Applications is $75,000. However, the average award is expected to be much less. Investigators may submit a request for a waiver to exceed the maximum amount.

Submission Process

Pilot study applications will be accepted four times per year (July 1, October 1, January 1, and April 1). Applications must be submitted by 5:00 CST on the due date. If the due date falls on a Saturday or Sunday, applications will be due the following Monday by 5:00 CST.

CONTACT:
Associate Director for Research
John Fortney, PhD
South Central MIRECC
HSR&D Center for Mental Healthcare Research
Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System
Division of Health Services Research, Department of Psychiatry
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
FortneyJohnC@uams.edu
501.526.8131