MIRECC / CoE

Targeted Request for Pilot Study Applications that Address Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and/or Community Engagement

In the context of our overall mission, the South Central MIRECC strives to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in our efforts to improve mental healthcare for rural and other underserved Veterans. This special request for applications (RFA) is designed to promote research that advances diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and/or community engagement.

We will give priority to pilot studies that are consistent with our mission and address inequities in healthcare associated with age, race or ethnicity, birth sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or socioeconomic status; engage diverse groups of Veterans; and/or increase engagement with community partners.

Pilot study data are needed to support highly competitive grant applications to federal agencies. Such studies generally fall into one of three categories: observational studies, intervention studies and implementation studies. Please download the RFA for specifics on the program, submission requirements, review details and contacts.

Overview

• Only researchers in VISN 16 and San Antonio, Texas are eligible to apply.
• Medical students, interns and residents are not eligible to apply unless they request and receive a waiver before applying.
• Project duration is 1 year (possible to request a waiver to submit a proposal for a longer period).
• Maximum budget request is $55,000 (possible to request a waiver to submit a proposal with a larger budget).
• Maximum proposal length is 5 pages.
• Fellows must provide a completion plan if the project will be ongoing when the fellowship ends. The plan must identify a doctoral-level faculty co-investigator to complete the project (an additional 1/2 page may be added to the proposal to describe the plan).

Application Deadlines

We accept applications four times a year. If the deadline falls on a weekend, submit the application the following Monday.

• January 2
• April 1
• July 1
• October 1

Application Submission

Email your application to Dr. Ellen Fischer at Ellen.Fischer@va.gov and FischerEllenP@uams.edu. Include both of her email addresses on the submission.

Contact

Dr. Ellen Fischer, Assistant Director for Research
Ellen.Fischer@va.gov | FischerEllenP@uams.edu

Download Application

Download

Request for Pilot Study Applications

We invite pilot study applications that support our mission:

To promote equity in engagement, access, and quality of mental health care for Veterans facing barriers to care, especially rural Veterans.

In addition to encouraging proposals addressing the needs of rural Veterans, we also encourage submission of proposals addressing the needs of other underserved and vulnerable Veteran populations, including those facing access barriers and/or disparities in the quality of mental healthcare due to age, race or ethnicity, birth sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socioeconomic status.

The ultimate goal of our 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 health and substance abuse treatment services for rural and underserved Veterans.

Our request for applications (RFA) is intended to increase the quantity and quality of federally funded research for this population to better understand their experiences and support the development and dissemination of evidence-based care that can make a difference in their lives. Please download the newly revised RFA for specifics on the program, including our funding priority areas, submission requirements and review details, and contacts.

Overview

• Only researchers in VISN 16 and San Antonio, Texas are eligible to apply.
• Medical students, interns and residents are not eligible to apply unless they request and receive a waiver before applying.
• Project duration is 1 year (possible to request a waiver to submit a proposal for a longer period).
• Maximum budget request is $55,000 (possible to request a waiver to submit a proposal with a larger budget).
• Maximum proposal length is 5 pages.
• Fellows must provide a completion plan if the project will be ongoing when the fellowship ends. The plan must identify a doctoral-level faculty co-investigator to complete the project (an additional 1/2 page may be added to the proposal to describe the plan).

Application Deadlines

We accept applications four times a year. If the deadline falls on a weekend, submit the application the following Monday.

• January 2
• April 1
• July 1
• October 1

Application Submission

Email your application to Dr. Ellen Fischer at Ellen.Fischer@va.gov and FischerEllenP@uams.edu. Include both of her email addresses on the submission.

Contact

Dr. Ellen Fischer, Assistant Director for Research
Ellen.Fischer@va.gov | FischerEllenP@uams.edu

Download Application

Download

MIRECC Implementation, Design and Analysis Support (MIDAS)

MIDAS offers centralized design, methodologic and analytic support to VISN 16 investigators who are seeking research funding or conducting South Central MIRECC pilot projects.

The MIDAS team has expertise in biostatistics, epidemiology, psychometrics, qualitative methods, application of technology to research and education, and project implementation. We can help you with topics such as:

• Study design
• Instrument selection or design
• Recruitment and data collection procedures
• Analysis of qualitative data
• Identification of best VA data sources and access procedures
• Manuscript preparation
• and more!

We can help connect you with other experienced methodologists at our affiliated programs and institutions when we do not have the expertise you need. Contact Dr. Ellen Fischer at Ellen.Fischer@va.gov or FischerEllenP@uams.edu to learn more.

Select to learn about how MIDAS can help you in the research process in our newsletter.