1. Russell Center Small Research Grants Program
Informational
October 17th 2018

2. James R. & Helen D. Russell Center for Research & Innovation is pleased to announce the 2018, Cycle II, Small Research Grants Program
ELIGIBLE INVESTIGATORS: Advocate Lutheran General Hospital or Advocate Children’s Hospital - Park Ridge providers, administrators, and associates
ELIGIBLE PROJECTS: Research projects whose goals and objectives are tied to the hospitals’ key result areas including but not limited to health outcomes, cost effectiveness, and patient experience
Application Deadline: Friday November 30th , 2018, 5:00 pm CST

3. Where to begin? Find a mentor and/or Principal Investigator
Create a Research Protocol
Create a Budget
Create or locate the appropriate documents
Fill out the application

4. Research Protocol Sections
Title
Research Question / Hypotheses
Significance / Background
Methods:
Study Design & Type of Research
Sample Selection Guidelines
Sample Size Calculation/Power Analysis
Timeline
Measurements/Instrumentation
Data Management
Data Analysis
Additional information

5. Tips Key headings and subheadings Bullet point specific aims
Reference your work in this area

6. Narrative Introduction Background and Significance
Problem to be addressed
Statement of Need
Relate to the agencies’ mission/ roadmap
Background and Significance
State magnitude of the problem
Cite important references
Evaluate gaps in literature
Show that you know your topic!

7. Narrative Cont. Specific Aims Preliminary data Hypothesis
More than one aim
1-2 sentences per aim, bolded
Keep sentences simple
Innovation
Do not be overly ambitious
Preliminary data
Supports statement of need
Shows ability to accomplish proposed objectives
Shows novel devices/ techniques work

8. Narrative Cont. Research Plan Project Timeline Methods
Study Design with sample size estimate
Risk/ Benefits for subjects and protections/ precautions
Procedures including justification, personnel, equipment
Subjects with demographics, rationale and recruitment
Data Management and analysis plan
Plan to assess progress and address solutions to potential difficulties
Project Timeline

9. Narrative Cont. Environment Dissemination Plan Future Directions
Institutional support
Unique features of your setting
Dissemination Plan
Future Directions
References

10. Budget

11. Budget Items Salary recovery New equipment
Study and administrative supplies
Consultants if needed
Other expenses

12. Submission Checklist
1.   Official cover letter signed and dated by the principal investigator on letterhead 
2.   Research protocol 
3.   Copy of data form / case report form
4.   Budget request and justification
5.   Letter(s) of support
6.   IRB approval letter (if applicable)
7.   Consent form (either draft or IRB approved)
8.   Letter from the Russell consultant verifying their consultation / involvement
9.   Face Sheet

13. Application Process Go to the following website:
Click on “Application” under Application Materials
Submit all the necessary documents

14. How will my application be chosen?
Through and application evaluation form
Reviewers will check all application and base their choices on the total scoring key

15. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Answered

16. What is the amount of funds available to investigators?
Maximum amount of funds available to investigators is 25k, which includes administration fees
Can the Small Research Grant Program support a multi-site Advocate study?
Yes, the small research grant program supports multi-site Advocate studies where the majority of the study activities are conducted at the eligible Advocate hospitals.

17. Can I apply for a Small Research Grant if I have already applied or have been awarded internal (e.g., Departmental funds, In-kind contributions) or external (e.g., NIH, AHRQ, PCORI, etc.) funding?
Yes. We request that you include the approved grant budget in the submission package.
Can I apply for a second Small Research Grant if I have already been awarded a Small Research Grant for a different project?
We do not fund more than one project per investigator at a time.
Can I reapply for the upcoming grant cycle(s) if my application is not accepted?
Yes. If your application is not accepted, we encourage the investigators to address reviewers’ comments / suggestions and reapply for the following application cycle(s).

18. Is there a page limit for the research protocol?
If I do not submit a Letter of Intent, can I still submit an application?
Yes. You can still submit an application even if you did not submit a Letter of Intent. Note: Letters of Intent are not mandatory.
Can I list a different Principal Investigator in the final application than was listed in the Letter of Intent?
Yes. The Principal Investigator listed on your final application may differ from the Principal Investigator listed in the Letter of Intent.
Is there a page limit for the research protocol?
No. We request that you address all of the required sections outlined in the protocol template.

19. Do I need a Project Mentor?
If you are a trainee, resident, or fellow, you must identify a project mentor. This individual would be an attending physician or other established health professional that has clinical and scientific expertise in the area in which your project focuses. The project mentor can also be the research director for the training program.
All other non-experienced research investigators are encouraged to identify a project mentor.
Do I need a Project Administrator?
All investigators must identify a project administrator. This individual would be an administrative support person from your department or a member of the research team that could help with monitoring the progress of the project and keep track of the finances and reimbursement paperwork.
If you are a trainee, resident, or fellow, this individual could be the coordinator of the residency program

20. Who should I ask to write a Letter of Support?
The Letter of Support should be written by the principal investigator’s immediate one up and / or others.
What should be included in the Letter of Support?
The Letter of Support should state that the project’s necessary resources (e.g., human resources, department support) will be available to the principal investigator and the research team.
If I receive a grant, when can I commence my study?
You can commence your study once the following criteria have been met: 1) you have received IRB approval; and 2) you have met with the Small Research Grants research manager to review the Award Letter and Principal Investigator (PI) Small Research Grant Agreement.
NOTE: Post-award steps are defined on the website and in your award letter.

21. Further Questions?
Thank you for your time and attendance!