Introduction
The Pilot Project Program facilitates specialized research training of graduate students, junior faculty or new investigators, and promotes the development of multi-disciplinary research addressing NORA–related topics in the areas of occupational health or safety. The Southern California NIOSH Education and Research Center (ERC) awards for one-year pilot projects to support occupational health and safety research training for students (including ERC trainees), new investigators, and new faculty (within 6 years of initial appointment). Funding is provided for small research projects or pilot studies to explore feasibility, to collect preliminary data, and to enable investigators to seek external, longer-term funding. Applications need to address topics relevant to NORA research areas, including cross sector goals.
Who should Apply
Students and young investigators are particularly encouraged to apply, and with all other factors equal, will receive funding priority. Non-faculty must have a full-time faculty member to sponsor their project. Faculty sponsors and students must be identified as such in the proposal. Projects involving human subjects should apply for human subject approval from their IRB at the earliest opportunity and attach their submitted human subject protocol to the research proposal. All pilot project grantees are required to submit quarterly progress reports and to present their research results, if selected, in the fall of the following year at an ERC-wide meeting. In addition, grantees are expected to present their research at a scientific conference and to submit a manuscript based on their research results to a peer-reviewed journal.
How to Apply
By April 14, 2021, submit a one-page work document of a Letter of Intent describing the proposed project via email to Negar Omid (nomid@ph.ucla.edu) and cc Dr. Krause (niklaskrause@ucla.edu) with a heading, ‘ERC pilot LOI.’ A CV of the applicant, and of the sponsoring faculty if the applicant is a student, should be submitted along with the letter of intent. By May 18, 2021, full applications are due as e-mailed MS Word documents.
Applications must include:
- Cover page with title, contact information, faculty sponsor if applicant is a trainee, NORA sector and
occupational safety and health area(s) addressed by the proposal, and the status of IRB approval; - Abstract of the proposal (maximal 250 words);
- Description of the project (3-5 pages, plus bibliography);
- Human subjects protocol as draft or as submitted to local IRB;
- Budget and budget justification for a 12-15 month period ending no later than September 30, 2022;
- Bio-sketch (NIH format) of applicant (and faculty sponsor(s) if applicable).
Applications will be subjected to peer review. Awardees will be asked to respond to reviewers’ comments before a final decision is being made. Funding may begin as early as July 1, 2021, or if human subjects are involved after IRB approval has been obtained. The primary review criteria are:
1) Relevance to workplace health and safety and NORA research areas
2) Scientific merit / methodological quality
3) Qualification of applicant, institutional environment, and feasibility
4) Stimulation of interdisciplinary research and translation into practice
5) Likelihood of resulting in publication in a peer-reviewed journal
6) Likelihood of leading to future external funding
7) Novelty of ideas, methods, or application in a new occupational context
8) Appropriateness of budget and evidence that the proposed work is not otherwise funded
Please refer to the PPRT Application Guidelines at the top of page