# SCVAHCN Network Research Grants Program Guidance

**1. Purpose:** The purpose of the Network Research Grants Program is to
promote research in the South Central VA Health Care Network (SCVAHCN)
through the development of promising junior investigators who have
demonstrated their commitment to a research career. In this instance,
junior is not defined as years since completion of training but rather
in terms of research career stage. Research is a fundamental component
of a continuously improving organization, and is essential if we are to
meet our goals of improving quality of care and patient outcomes. The
Network Research Grants Program not only provides needed financial and
mentorship support but demonstrates the Network and facilities
commitment to developing research and its potential to improve veteran
health care.

**2. Policy:** The conduct of research is an integral component of a
continuously improving organization. It is the policy of the SCVAHCN
that Network Research Grants be awarded to investigators who demonstrate
a career commitment to VHA and potential for developing an independent
research career. It is also the policy of the Network that once awarded,
investigators are given the protected time their grant purchases to
accomplish their study within the time and at the level of quality
required by the Network Research Grants Program.

**3. General Conditions of Eligibility:** Applicants for one of the two
Network Research Grants awards must:

a.  Hold at least a 5/8s VA appointment at a South Central VA Health
    Care Network facility. If the applicant's appointment is pending at
    the time of application submission, a memorandum from the Service
    Line Manager committing to a VA appointment must be provided. This
    memorandum must state that the applicant will be appointed at least
    5/8s and that this appointment is independent of the grant award.

b.  Hold a doctoral degree and a faculty appointment. Eligible degrees
    include MD, PhD, DrPh, PharmD or other doctorate degree in
    disciplines such as rehabilitation, nursing, audiology and speech
    pathology.

c.  Provide a career plan and research agenda as part of this
    application.

This program is not intended for independent, established investigators.
Research investigators who have served as a Principal Investigator on a
non-entry level or non-mentored national private or public peer reviewed
grant (VA Merit Review, VA Co-op, NIH-R01, etc.), and/or have greater
than or equal to \$75,000 per year in grant funding are **not eligible**
to apply.

The typical applicant for one of these research grants will have
completed training and hold a faculty appointment (at least at the rank
of Instructor or Assistant Professor). Applicants who have been awarded
other research career development grant funding (NIH, VA, etc.) are
eligible to apply for the Pilot Project Grant but not for the Career
Development Grant.

**4. Description of the Program:** The Network Research Grants Program
is comprised of two different investigator development awards:

a.  **SCVAHCN Research Career Development Grant -** The Research Career
    Development Award (RCDA) is a three-year award intended for those
    junior faculty and clinicians interested in pursuing a research
    career. Applicants [may not]{.underline} have had prior research
    funding at the national level, either as an independent investigator
    (R01, VA Merit grant, or equivalent), or as a Career Development
    Award recipient from the NIH, VA, or major foundation. This program
    will provide up to \$80,000 for three years, depending on
    satisfactory progress. RCDA grant funding may be used to support the
    investigator salary (up to \$50,000), supplies, equipment, tuition,
    and/or research assistance. It may not be used to support travel.
    The goal of this research grant is to provide an opportunity for the
    recipient to develop and submit a grant application that is
    competitive at the national level. Indeed, it is an expectation that
    a national level grant (RCDA, or research grant) be submitted by the
    time this award is completed.

b.  **SCVAHCN Pilot Project Grant** -- This award is intended to assist
    junior investigators in collecting pilot data that will enable them
    to successfully compete for VA and non-VA peer reviewed, career
    development and independent investigator awards. In addition,
    applications will be accepted from investigators who have a VA, NIH
    or other career development award, and seek supplemental funds
    through this pilot project award. The pilot project grant provides
    up to \$50,000 per year for two years, depending on satisfactory
    progress. Funding may be used to support the investigator salary,
    supplies, equipment, tuition, and/or research assistance. It may not
    be used to support travel. The goal of this research grant is to
    provide an opportunity for the recipient to develop and submit a
    grant application that is competitive at the national level.

**5. Application Process:** Application requirements for the SCVAHCN
Career Development Grant, Pilot Project Grant are provided in Appendices
A through B. All Network Research Grant applications must be submitted
through the local Research & Development Committee and be approved for
submission. Proof of R&D approval to submit is then provided by the
signature of the ACOS/Research Service in the space provided on the
SCVAHCN Grants Program cover page.

A summary of grant application requirements is provided below:

# South Central VA Health Care Network Research Grants Program

# Application Requirements Summary

+-----------+-----------------------------+--------------+-------------+
| **Award** | **Application**             | **To         | **To        |
|           |                             | demonstrate  | demonstrate |
|           |                             | Facility     | Mentorship, |
|           |                             | Support,     | application |
|           |                             | application  | must        |
|           |                             | must         | include:**  |
|           |                             | include:**   |             |
+-----------+-----------------------------+--------------+-------------+
| **SCVAHCN | 1\. SCVAHCN Grants Program  | 1\. Letter   | 1\. Letter  |
| Research  | cover page                  | from Medical | from Mentor |
| Career    |                             | Center       | addressing  |
| De        | 2\. Abstract -- less than   | Director     | plans for   |
| velopment | 300 words                   |              | recipient's |
| Grant**   |                             | 2\. Letter   | career      |
|           | 3\. Budget and Budget       | from         | d           |
|           | Justification (VA Forms     | Departm      | evelopment. |
|           | 1313-3 & 1313-4)            | ent/Division |             |
|           |                             | Chair        |             |
|           | 4\. Biographical Sketches & |              |             |
|           | Other support (VA Form      |              |             |
|           | 1313-5/6)                   |              |             |
|           |                             |              |             |
|           | 5\. Research Plan -- 10     |              |             |
|           | pages                       |              |             |
|           |                             |              |             |
|           | 6\. Career Development and  |              |             |
|           | Mentoring Plan -- 2 pages   |              |             |
|           |                             |              |             |
|           | 7\. Letters of support      |              |             |
+-----------+-----------------------------+--------------+-------------+
| **SCVAHCN | 1\. SCVAHCN Grants Program  | 1\. Letter   | 1\. Letter  |
| Pilot     | cover page                  | from Medical | from Mentor |
| Project   |                             | Center       | addressing  |
| Grant**   | 2\. Budget and Budget       | Director     | plans for   |
|           | Justification (VA Forms     |              | recipient's |
|           | 1313-3 & 1313-4)            | 2\. Letter   | career      |
|           |                             | from         | d           |
|           | 3\. Biographical Sketches & | Departm      | evelopment. |
|           | Other support (VA Form      | ent/Division |             |
|           | 1313-5/6)                   | Chair        |             |
|           |                             |              |             |
|           | 4\. Research Plan -- 5      |              |             |
|           | pages                       |              |             |
|           |                             |              |             |
|           | 5\. Career Development and  |              |             |
|           | Mentoring Plan -- 2 pages   |              |             |
|           |                             |              |             |
|           | 6\. Letters of support      |              |             |
+-----------+-----------------------------+--------------+-------------+

# 

Note: If the application is a resubmission of a previous Network grant
that was not funded, applicants must include a one page response. This
response must summarize the additions, deletions, and changes made to
the proposal, either based on the comments and suggestions received or
on new information. If suggested changes in the application were not
made, the reasons need to be explicitly stated. The one page response
does not count towards either the Career Development or the Pilot Study
grant page limit.

# South Central VA Health Care Network Research Grants Program

# Application Requirements Summary

**6. Interim and Final Reports:** To track research project progress and
to assist in the evaluation of the effectiveness of the Network Research
Grants Program, all recipients must provide interim and final reports.
Appendix D provides the format for the interim report and Appendix E
provides the format for the final report. Interim progress reports will
be requested at one year intervals, and final reports are due within
three months of project completion.

**7. Network Research Grant Program Agreement:** If the applicant is
awarded any one of the two grants, the applicant will be asked to sign
an agreement accepting accountability and responsibility for the
management of the project, as well as a commitment to acknowledge the
SCVAHCN Network Research Grants Program on all publications and others
products generated as a result of the research conducted. A copy of the
grants program agreement is provided in Appendix F.

**8. Evaluation Process:**

a.  South Central VA Health Care Network Research Subcommittee will
    appoint two scientific reviewers for each proposal. Reviewers will
    remain anonymous. Proposals will be scored using the NIH streamlined
    review process. This process calls for reviewers to place
    applications into two groups -- those applications in the upper end
    of quality and those in the lower end of quality. Then the higher
    quality applications receive full discussion by the review
    committee, and are scored using the NIH scoring process

b.  Proposals will be evaluated using the NIH review criteria:

#### *Significance*: Does the study proposed address an important problem? If the aims of the study are achieved, how will scientific knowledge be advanced? What will be the effect of this study on the concepts or methods that drive this field?

1.  *Approach*: Are the conceptual framework, design, methods and
    analyses adequately developed, well integrated and appropriate to
    the aims of the project? Reviewers will keep in mind the
    applications are submitted by new investigators and that in these
    cases, the approach described should demonstrate the techniques and
    approaches are feasible.

2.  *Innovation*: Does the project proposed use novel concepts,
    approaches or method? Are the aims original and innovative? Does the
    project challenge existing paradigms or develop new methodologies or
    technologies?

3.  *Investigator*: Is the investigator appropriately trained and well
    suited to carry out this work? Is the work proposed appropriate to
    the experience level of the principal investigator and other
    researchers? Reviewers will keep in mind the applications are from
    new investigators and that more emphasis will be placed on the
    researchers training and their research potential rather than their
    research track record.

4.  *Environment*: Does the scientific environment in which the work
    will be done contribute to the probability of success? Do the
    proposed experiments take advantage of unique features of the
    scientific environment or employ useful collaborative arrangements?
    Reviewers will keep in mind that these applications are from new
    investigators and that there should be strong evidence of
    institutional commitment in terms of space and time to perform the
    research.

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c.  The South Central VA Health Care Network Research Subcommittee will
    review the scientific scores provided, rank the proposals, and
    submit to the SCVAHCN Health Care Advisory Council (HCAC)
    recommendations for funding. The HCAC will review and discuss the
    recommendations, rending a final decision as to project awards. The
    HCAC will then relate these decisions to the Research Grants Review
    Committee for communication to the applicants, as funds allow.

d.  Applicants will be notified in writing whether or not their proposal
    will be funded.

######## Appendix A

######### South Central VA Health Care Network Research Career Development Grant

Applicants are encouraged to work closely with their local VA Research
and Development office in the development of this submission.
Additionally, applicants [must have]{.underline} local R&D committee
approval to submit this grant application and the ACOS for Research
Service must sign the application cover page (Appendix C).

The purpose of this award is to provide an opportunity for junior
investigators to develop and refine their research knowledge and skills.
It is anticipated that by the end of three years, award recipients will
be able to develop and submit a research grant application that is
competitive at the national level. While the research proposed in this
application is important, as much or more emphasis will be placed on the
career and mentoring plan during application review.

**1. Application Cover Page.** The cover page provided in Appendix D
should be completed in its entirety. Applications submitted without the
signature of the ACOS/Research will be returned to the applicant.

**2. Page 2 - Abstract.** Provide an abstract of less than 300 words
that concisely describes the proposed project.

**3. Budget and budget justification.** Budgets for three years should
be developed to support the research proposed, and should be submitted
using VA Form 1313-3. Grant funding may be used to support the
investigator salary (up to \$50,000), supplies, equipment, tuition,
and/or research assistance. Travel may not be included. A brief
justification of each item in the budget should be included on VA Form
1313-4. The budget may not exceed \$80,000/year.

Up to \$50,000 may be requested for the support of the PI's salary.
However, this item will require careful justification. The investigator
must clearly indicate how PI salary support will help the project move
forward and must be consistent with institutional policies. Sufficient
funds must be available to perform the work proposed. If additional
support will be made available to the applicant for the project (e.g.
from institutional funds, the mentor, co-investigators, etc.), this
should be discussed in either a cover letter or in the Career and
Mentoring Plan.

Please note that no research may be conducted, and no funds will be
transferred until all committee approvals are obtained and copies of the
approval letters provided. Clinical studies that propose to use
experimental devices or drugs of unproven efficacy and safety are
subject to FDA regulations.

**4. Biographical sketches and Other Support.** Include in the
application a current biographical sketch of the Principal Investigator,
each Co-Investigator, and the mentor(s). Please do not attach a full CV.
Biographical sketches should be submitted on VA Form1313-5/6, and should
include other sources of research support. It is not necessary to
include institutional support that only covers the investigator's
salary. The biographical sketch should not exceed three pages.

**5. Research plan** -- The page limit for the Research Plan is ten
pages, and includes sections 5a-5d, below, and does not including
appendices, references, and required sections on humans, animals, and
mentoring plan.

a\. [Specific aims]{.underline}. The investigator should state concisely
and realistically what the research described is intended to accomplish
and what hypotheses are being tested. State the overarching problem in
the scientific field of study this project addresses, and describe (in
general terms) what is known about this problem and what question(s)
remain that your research will address. Briefly describe the results of
your preliminary research. Provide an overall hypothesis for the project
and state each specific aim in terms of the goal and/or outcome of the
research, if successful. Briefly describe the general experimental
design and methods that will be used to carry out your aims. Explain in
one or two sentences the significance and innovation of your research.

b\. [Background and Significance]{.underline}. Briefly sketch the
background leading up to this proposal, and critically evaluate existing
knowledge. Provide a general literature review pertinent to the aims
proposed, and show the scientific logic behind the path you propose to
explore. Explain the gaps in our knowledge and how this project will
provide the missing information. State the importance of this research
to the overall clinical mission of the VA.

c\. [Preliminary Data (if applicable)]{.underline}. Briefly describe any
preliminary data that support the specific aims -tie what you have
discovered in with the questions that remain. Graphic material may be
included in an appendix, but generally should not exceed 5
figures/tables.

d\. [Research Design and Methods]{.underline}. Discuss in sufficient
detail the experimental design and methods to be followed. It is
understood that great detail is not possible within the ten-page limit
for the Research Plan, and therefore the investigator may reference
standard methodology in the literature. Clearly describe which methods
are standard and which are new. Statistical methods should be
specifically addressed, along with a power analysis that justifies the
sample size. Discuss anticipated results, as well potential problems
with the experiments and solutions to overcome these difficulties
(pitfalls and limitations).

**6. Human & Animal Subjects**. The description of human subject
involvement must follow VA guidelines, as described for VA Merit Review
grant applications. This would include a description of the human
subjects proposed such as characteristics of the subject population,
including their anticipated number, age range, and health status.
Identify the criteria for inclusion or exclusion of any subpopulation,
the plans for subject recruitment and the process of seeking informed
consent. This section should describe any potential risks to the
subjects (physical, psychological, social, legal, other) and plans for
minimizing this risk. It should identify the sources of research
material obtained from any individually identifiable living human
subjects in the form of specimens, data or records and how this material
will be protected. This section should address the importance of the
knowledge gained from the research, the potential benefit to the
subjects, as well as the inclusion of women, minorities, and a
data-safety monitoring plan, if applicable.

If animal subjects are to be involved in the research, a description of
their proposed use in the work outlined in the Research Design and
Methods section must be included. Provide a justification for the use of
animals in this section, the choice of species, their numbers to be
used, and describe their veterinary care. This section should also
include a description as to the procedures for ensuring that discomfort,
distress, pain and injury will be limited to that which is unavoidable
in the conduct of scientifically sound research. Also describe the use
of analgesic, anesthetic, and tranquilizing drugs, and/or comfortable
restraining devices, where appropriate, to minimized discomfort,
distress, pain and injury. This section should also describe any method
of euthanasia to be used and the reasons for its selection. State
whether or not this is consistent with the recommendations of the Panel
on Euthanasia of the American Veterinary Association. If not, present a
justification for not following the recommendations.

**7. Literature cited**. References should be given in order of
appearance and should include titles.

**8.** **Career and Mentoring Plan.** The career plan should discuss how
a concentrated period of protected time, mentoring and educational
enhancement would enable the applicant to develop into an independent
investigator. The amount of formal training and hands on research
described should be consistent with the applicant's previous experience.
The less experienced investigator may include didactic training in
epidemiology, biostatistics and data management, as well more closely
supervised research. The career plan should describe short and long
range research career plans; current research interests and involvement;
future research plans; and specific education and training activities
planned, including formal coursework, seminars and workshops.

[]{.mark}

The mentor should be recognized as an accomplished investigator in the
area of research proposed, and have a track record of success in
training young investigators. Applicants may also propose co-mentors if
this provides a better fit with the research goals. The mentoring plan
should describe the relationship between the applicant and the mentor.
If a mentoring committee will be formed, discuss how the committee will
function and how it will further the investigator's career and research.
The mentoring plan should address the mentor's current obligations
including the number of residents, fellows and other trainees the mentor
currently supervises in research, and describe the planned training
experience including the number of hours per week the mentor will devote
to the applicant. Finally, the applicant should indicate a timetable for
the submission of a nationally competitive grant proposal.

**9.** **Mentorship and Departmental Support**. A minimum of two and a
maximum of six letters should accompany the application. Required
letters are from the applicant's mentor, the Department/Division
Chairman (University affiliate or VA as appropriate), and a letter from
the VA Medical Center Director.

The letter from the mentor should discuss the training program, plans
for the applicant's career development, and the estimated time
commitment of the mentor to maintain this relationship. The Department
Chairman's letter should clearly indicate the departmental support for
the applicant. It is expected that this letter will indicate that at
least 50% time is available to the applicant to pursue research
activities. The Department/Division Chairman's letter should
[specifically]{.underline} state which non-research responsibilities the
applicant will be required to maintain throughout the period of Career
Development Support (i.e. the number of months of inpatient attending
duty, administrative duties, committees, etc), and the long term plans
for the applicant within the Department or Division. It is critical that
the letters from the mentor and/or Department Chair convince the review
committee that the applicant will have sufficient protected time,
resources, and guidance to develop as a productive investigator. The
letter from the Medical Center Director should indicate senior
management support of this research, and commit VA space & facilities.
In addition, if the applicant does not currently have at least a 5/8s VA
appointment, a memorandum committing to an appointment from the Service
Line Manager must be provided. This memorandum must indicate that the
applicant will be appointed to a position that is at least 5/8s and that
this appointment is NOT DEPENDENT on grant award.

Other letters of support may be enclosed from other investigators who
are familiar with the applicant's record and achievements, and who are
in a position to comment on the suitability of the applicant for this
award. Also attach any letters from collaborating or essential other
investigators on the project.

**10.** **Application Submission**. SCVAHCN Career Development Grant
Applications are due close of business September 29, 2006 and must be
submitted in electronic form. If the applicant is unable to have letters
of support scanned into electronic form, they may be mailed.
Applications should be sent to <Melonie> Shelton at msshelton@uams.edu.
The local mailing address is :

[]{.mark}

#### Melonie Shelton

> South Central MIRECC (16MIR/NLR)
>
> Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System
>
> 2200 Fort Roots Drive, Building 58
>
> North Little Rock, AR 72114

[]{.mark}

[]{.mark}

Questions regarding forms and submission format should be directed to
Ms. Shelton at (501) 257-1971. Questions regarding the program and
research project development should be directed to Tim Hammond, MD,
Chairperson, SCVAHCN Research Grants Review Committee at 501-556-7225 or
Timothy.Hammond@va.gov.

###### Appendix B

# SCVAHCN Pilot Project Grant

Applicants are encouraged to work closely with their local VA Research
and Development office in the development of this submission.
Additionally, applicants [must have]{.underline} local R&D committee
approval to submit this grant application and the ACOS for Research
Service must sign the application cover page (Appendix C). Applicants
must provide a research career and mentoring plan along with their pilot
project grant application.

The goal of this research grant is to provide an opportunity for the
recipient to collect pilot data to use in the development of a grant
application that is competitive at the national level. Applications will
also be accepted from investigators who have a VA, NIH or other career
development award, and seek supplemental funds through this pilot
project grant.

1.  **Application Cover Page.** The cover page provided in Appendix D
    should be completed in its entirety. Applications submitted without
    the signature of the ACOS/Research will be returned to the
    applicant.

2.  **Budget and Budget Justification**. Budgets for two years should be
    developed to support the research proposed, and should be submitted
    using VA Form 1313-3. Grant funding may be used to support the
    investigator salary, supplies, equipment, tuition, and/or research
    assistance. Travel may not be included. A brief justification of
    each item in the budget should be included on VA Form 1313-4. The
    budget may not exceed \$50,000/year.

> Please note that no research may be conducted, and no funds will be
> transferred until all committee approvals are obtained and copies of
> the approval letters provided. Clinical studies that propose to use
> experimental devices or drugs of unproven efficacy and safety are
> subject to FDA regulations.

3.  **Biographical sketches and Other Support.** Include in the
    application a current biographical sketch of the Principal
    Investigator, each Co-Investigator, and the mentor(s). Please do not
    attach a full CV. Biographical sketches should be submitted on VA
    Form1313-5/6, and should include other sources of research support.
    It is not necessary to include institutional support that only
    covers the investigator's salary. The biographical sketch should not
    exceed three pages.

4.  **Research Plan.** This five-page narrative should address each item
    described below; appendices are not included in the page count.

> a\. [Specific Aims]{.underline}. State concisely and realistically
> what the research is intended to accomplish and what hypotheses are to
> be tested.
>
> b\. [Background and Significance]{.underline}. Briefly sketch the
> background to the present proposal, critically evaluate existing
> knowledge, and identify the gaps that the project is intended to fill.
>
> c\. [Research Design and Methods]{.underline}. Briefly describe the
> sampling, experimental design, and the procedures to be used to
> accomplish the specific aims of the project. Include the means by
> which the data will be analyzed and interpreted.

**5. Human & Animal Subjects**. The description of human subject
involvement must follow VA guidelines, as described for VA Merit Review
grant applications. This section should describe the proposed
involvement of human subjects in the work outlined in the Research
Design and Methods Section, identify the source of research material
obtained from living human subjects in the form of specimens, records or
data, and describe the potential risks to the subjects. The section
should then describe the plans for subject recruitment including the
process for obtaining informed consent, the planned procedures for
protecting against or minimizing potential risks, including risks to
confidentiality, and assess their likely effectiveness. This section
must also describe the potential benefits of the research to the
subjects and others, the importance of the knowledge gained from the
research, as well as the inclusion of women, minorities, and children,
and a data safety monitoring plan, if applicable.

If animal subjects are to be involved in the research, a description of
their proposed use in the work outlined in the Research Design and
Methods section must be included. Provide a justification for the use of
animals in this section, the choice of species, their numbers to be
used, and describe their veterinary care. This section should also
include a description as to the procedures for ensuring that discomfort,
distress, pain and injury will be limited to that which is unavoidable
in the conduct of scientifically sound research. Also describe the use
of analgesic, anesthetic, and tranquilizing drugs, and/or comfortable
restraining devices, where appropriate, to minimized discomfort,
distress, pain and injury. This section should also describe any method
of euthanasia to be used and the reasons for its selection. State
whether or not this is consistent with the recommendations of the Panel
on Euthanasia of the American Veterinary Association. If not, present a
justification for not following the recommendations.

**6. Timeline**. Include a timeline for the work planned, including a
projected completion date.

**7. Future Plans**. Describe your plans for continuing or extending the
work if the current project is successful. In particular, describe how
the current work will support a plan for continued VA or other funding.

**8. Literature Cited**. References should be given in order of
appearance and should include titles.

**9.** **Career and Mentoring Plan**. The career plan should discuss how
a concentrated period of protected time, mentoring and educational
enhancement would enable the applicant to develop into an independent
investigator. The career plan should also describe: 1) short and long
range research career plans; 2) current research interests and
involvement; 3) future research plans; 4) the relationship between the
applicant and the mentor; and 5) specific education and training
activities planned, including formal coursework, seminars and workshops.
The mentoring plan should discuss the mentor's current obligations
including the number of residents, fellows and other trainees the mentor
currently supervises in research, and describe the planned training
experience including the number of hours per week the mentor will devote
to the applicant as well as formal and informal coursework planned.

**10.** **Mentorship and Departmental Support**. A minimum of two and a
maximum of six letters should accompany the application. Required
letters are from the applicant's mentor, the Department/Division
Chairman (University affiliate or VA as appropriate), and a letter from
the VA Medical Center Director.

The letter from the mentor should discuss the training program, plans
for the applicant's career development, and the estimated time
commitment of the mentor to maintain this relationship. The Department
Chairman's letter should clearly indicate the departmental support for
the applicant. It is expected that this letter will indicate that at
least 50% time is available to the applicant to pursue research
activities. The Department/Division Chairman's letter should
[specifically]{.underline} state which non-research responsibilities the
applicant will be required to maintain throughout the period of the
Pilot Project grant (i.e. the number of months of inpatient attending
duty, administrative duties, committees, etc), and the long term plans
for the applicant within the Department or Division. The letter from the
Medical Center Director should indicate top management support of this
research, and commit VA space & facilities. In addition, if the
applicant does not currently have at least a 5/8s VA appointment, a
memorandum committing to an appointment from the Service Line Manager
must be provided. This memorandum must indicate that the applicant will
be appointed to a position that is at least 5/8s and that this
appointment is NOT DEPENDENT on grant award.

Other letters of support may be enclosed from other investigators who
are familiar with the applicant's record and achievements, and who are
in a position to comment on the suitability of the applicant for this
award. Also attach any letters from collaborating or essential other
investigators on the project.

**11. Application Submission**. SCVAHCN Pilot Study Project Grant
Applications are due

close of business September 29, 2006 and must be submitted in electronic
form. If the applicant is unable to have letters of support scanned into
electronic form, they may be mailed. Applications should be sent to
Melonie Shelton at msshelton@uams.edu. The local mailing address is :

[]{.mark}

#### Melonie Shelton

> South Central MIRECC (16MIR/NLR)
>
> Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System
>
> 2200 Fort Roots Drive, Building 58
>
> North Little Rock, AR 72114

[]{.mark}

[]{.mark}

Questions regarding forms and submission format should be directed to
Ms. Shelton at (501) 257-1971. Questions regarding the program and
research project development should be directed to Tim Hammond, MD,
Chairperson, SCVAHCN Research Grants Review Committee at 504-556-7225 or
Timothy.Hammond@va.gov.

Appendix C

# SCVAHCN Network Research Grants Program

# Application Cover Page

[]{.mark}

***Please indicate which program by checking the appropriate box:***

Career Development Grant Pilot Project Grant

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **Title of the Project:      **

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

##### Principal Investigator/Program Director:

+--------------+------------+---+---+---+----------+-------------------+
| ##### **     |            |   |   | * |          |                   |
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+--------------+------------+---+---+---+----------+-------------------+
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+--------------+------------+---+---+---+----------+-------------------+
|              |            |   |   |   |          |                   |
+--------------+------------+---+---+---+----------+-------------------+
| Human        |            |   |   |   |          |                   |
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+--------------+------------+---+---+---+----------+-------------------+
| Animal       |            |   |   |   |          |                   |
| Subjects     |            |   |   |   |          |                   |
+--------------+------------+---+---+---+----------+-------------------+
| Inv          |            |   |   |   |          |                   |
| estigational |            |   |   |   |          |                   |
| Drugs        |            |   |   |   |          |                   |
+--------------+------------+---+---+---+----------+-------------------+
| I            |            |   |   |   |          |                   |
| nvestigation |            |   |   |   |          |                   |
| Devices      |            |   |   |   |          |                   |
+--------------+------------+---+---+---+----------+-------------------+
| R            |            |   |   |   |          |                   |
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+--------------+------------+---+---+---+----------+-------------------+
| Biohazards   |            |   |   |   |          |                   |
+--------------+------------+---+---+---+----------+-------------------+
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| Total Budget |            |   |   |   |          |                   |
+--------------+------------+---+---+---+----------+-------------------+
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|              | mail:      |   |   |   |          |                   |
+--------------+------------+---+---+---+----------+-------------------+

**ACOS for Research -**

**Approved for
submission**:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**Date**:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

*Note: ACOS/Research signature is required for submission*

###### 

###### Appendix D

# Interim Report - Network Research Grants Study

> The Network Research Grants Program Interim Report is a one-page
> narrative responsive to the items listed below:
>
> a). **Project Aims**: Have there been any major changes to the overall
> objective of this study?
>
> b). **Progress to date**: Please describe your progress with respect
> to:
>
> \(1\) Data collection -- if still ongoing or not yet initiated, please
> indicate when you expect to initiate/complete data collection.
>
> \(2\) Data analysis
>
> \(3\) Development of products (papers, presentations, publications,
> etc.)
>
> Have there been any major design changes?
>
> c). **Completion Timeframe**: Generally Network Research Grants
> Program studies are completed in approximately one year. Please
> indicate when you now expect to complete this study.
>
> d). **New Ideas**: Please describe any new ideas or projects your
> study has generated.
>
> e). **Scientific Concerns**: Please describe any methodological or
> scientific issues that have arisen with your pilot study.
>
> f). **Study Obstacles**: Please describe any obstacles you have
> encountered in the conduct of this research study. For example, have
> you had any difficulty recruiting staff, utilizing the funds provided,
> etc.
>
> g). **Study Enablers**: Please describe any factors that have
> facilitated the accomplishment of your research study. For Example,
> skilled staff available via existing university sharing agreement,
> flexible facility position management, etc.

*Please email completed interim reports to <Melonie> Shelton at
msshelton@uams.edu.*

####### **Appendix E**

# Final Report - Network Research Grants Study

**Date:     **

**Network Research Grants Program Award Type:     **

**Title:     **

**Principal Investigator:     **

**I. Summary: (100-150 words describing major results):     **

**II. Additional grants originating from this project (Indicate whether
awarded, submitted, or in preparation):     \
**

**III. Publications originating from this project (Include those
published, in press or submitted but not those in preparation):     **

*Please email completed interim reports to <Melonie> Shelton at
msshelton@uams.edu.*

**Appendix F**

**South Central VA Health Care Network Research Grants Program
Agreement**

Although local and network administrative staff are available to provide
assistance, you, as the PI, are ultimately responsible for the
administrative oversight of your study, including budgetary management,
purchasing, personnel hires, the protection of human privacy rights, and
compliance with all animal and hazardous material regulations. By
accepting South Central VA Health Care Network research study funds, the
undersigned agrees to the following:

-   Conducting the study proposed, and to provide interim and final
    study reports. In the event that your study proves unfeasible to
    conduct, you are ethically bound to return the funds or work with
    the SCVAHCN Research Subcommittee leadership to revise your methods
    accordingly, to allow study execution.

-   Use and management of federal government funds appropriately;

-   Abiding by local VA Medical Center policies and procedures for funds
    management, purchasing, and hiring;

```{=html}
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```
-   Submitting information regarding investigator grants, publications
    and presentations, as requested; and,

```{=html}
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```
-   Citing the SCVAHCN on the investigator's CV, and on abstracts,
    publications and presentations.

Failure to comply with this agreement may result in the loss of your
research study funds, and loss of your status as a SCVAHCN investigator.
In the event an investigator fails to honor this agreement, the SCVAHCN
Research Subcommittee will review the circumstances and recommend the
appropriate action to the Health Care Advisory Council and Executive
Leadership Council.

Signature:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Date:\_\_\_\_

*Please fax signed agreement to Melonie Shelton at (501) 257-1718.*