Pilot Funding to Enhance Substance Use Related Systems of Care
The University of Maryland Center for Addiction Research, Education, and Service (CARES) has established a Science to Systems pilot grant program. The aim of the program is to generate new substance use-related prevention, treatment, and system enhancement initiatives designed to improve addiction-related systems of care.
The SSG is seeking projects that demonstrate the capacity to produce measurable outcomes directly relevant to substance use disorder (SUD) service delivery within a 12-to-24-month period. The SSG anticipates funding two to four awards bases off flexible funding options.
Funding Priority
This UMB CARES Science to Systems grant (SSG) funding cycle will prioritize projects that target opioid use disorders as well as other illicit and licit (e.g., alcohol, tobacco) substance use associated with sub-optimal treatment and high rates of patient mortality. Projects targeting underserved populations who experience significant disparities in behavioral health treatment access and bio-psycho-social outcomes also are prioritized.
Proposals that demonstrate considerable potential in the following areas are most compatible with the CARES core aims: (1) potential to favorably impact substance use related systems of care, (2) feasibility for behavioral health system translation, and (3) likelihood of continued impact on SUD systems of care (e.g., further development and testing, the potential for external funding generated from pilot grant findings). Interprofessional and community collaboration is considered essential for ensuring that research findings are relevant, feasible, and translatable to SUD systems of care.
Evidence of matching funds from the faculty applicant’s affiliated School will be considered in determining the best use of CARES funds.
Example SSG proposals include, but are not limited to, projects designed to:
· increase patient access to SUD treatment, receipt of SUD treatment, or retention in SUD treatment
· address barriers known to impact SUD treatment outcomes (i.e., transportation, childcare, family support, financial/insurance issues, treatment engagement);
· increase patient access to and receipt of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid, alcohol, and/or nicotine use disorders
· identify and address factors that impede or facilitate SUD workforce participation among behavioral health practitioners in Maryland
· improve service delivery through interprofessional and interagency collaborations, cross-training, and care coordination across multiple systems of care
· integrate and synthesize existing data systems to improve prediction of substance use trends, and SUD-related service needs
· identify and address addiction-related specialty training opportunities for UMB students
· identify and address initiatives to strengthen addiction-related interprofessional education (IPE) focused among UMB schools
· improve patient SUD continuing care including transitions among behavioral health service providers, facilities, and programs
· increase patient use of treatments or services that reduce the need for high-cost service utilization (i.e., emergency room visits, inpatient psychiatric treatment, inpatient detoxification services)
· increase the number of individuals who access and maintain insurance that includes behavioral health services within the scope of coverage
· evaluate the impact of specific legislation on behavioral health care access, utilization, and patient outcomes
· develop curriculum centered around SUD for interprofessional education
SSG Proposal Submission Guidelines
Eligible Applicants
All UMB faculty at the rank of Assistant Professor or above are eligible to apply for SSG funding. All applications must include at least one UMB faculty member at the rank of Assistant Professor or above with the expertise or qualifications necessary to achieve the aims of the proposed grant. Faculty who has previously been funded may compete again but must provide clear documentation about whether and how their prior award is instrumental to their new application.
Grant Personnel
Grant personnel may include UMB students, trainees, and staff as well as non-UMB community members consistent with the qualifications of the roles specified in the application. Community providers include non-UMB behavioral health providers and community agencies that provide or have the capacity to provide direct or indirect addiction-related prevention or treatment services.
Deadline for Proposal Submission
The submission deadline for all proposals is February 19, 2024. Award notification will be made by April 12, 2024.
Any queries regarding applicant or proposal eligibility can be directed to:
Rick Barth, PhD, MSW
CARES Executive Committee Member
University of Maryland School of Social Work
Email: rbarth@ssw.umaryland.edu
Phone: 410-706-3371
Duration of Project
Projects should be completed within 12 -24 months of grant funding (not including data analysis).
Proposal Requirements
Proposals should be formatted using 12-point font and 1” margins and should strictly adhere to the following page limitations and required elements:
Cover Page (1 page)
Title of Project
Name, role on the project, and UMB affiliation for primary faculty member(s)
Proposed Research (maximum 5 pages)
The proposed research should include a description of the problem and significance, specific aims, and project timeline and impact as described below.
Problem and Significance
Addiction-related problem to be addressed and the significance of addressing the problem as it relates to one of the following CARES core areas of focus.
Core 1. Workforce Development and Technical Assistance
Core 2. Development of Innovative Models and Systems of Care
Core 3. Translational Addiction Research, Data Surveillance and Management
Core 4. Policy Analysis and Education
Specific Aims
Proposals should describe the primary and any secondary aims of the project, and the research methodology and data analyses that will be used to accomplish the specific aims. Proposals should include a description of how the data will be collected, analyzed, and interpreted as well as any resource sharing plans as appropriate.
Project Timeline and Impact
Proposals should describe the timeline for implementing the project, including main tasks to be accomplished within the 12–24-month grant period, the expected outcomes for the project, and how the project will provide data sufficient for publication within 12 months following completion. Describe plans to apply for external funding following project completion and the anticipated timeframe for this application.
Budget
A concise budget (not to exceed one-half a page) should be provided that includes the total amount of funds being requested personnel salaries, project supplies and equipment, and any patient compensation as applicable. The budget should include a brief description of how the funds will be used. The budget should clearly identify which entity will use the specified funds (i.e. CARES faculty member, community organization, etc.). No Indirect costs are allowed.
Funding structure:
1. Smaller projects (ex. Curriculum development, data analysis) max funding – $25,000
2. Short term research projects (≤1yr) max funding – $50,000
3. Long term research projects (2yr) max funding - $100,000 total, $50,000 per year
Additional Application Documents
Please provide a brief biosketch (no more than 3 pages) along with a brief description of the role on the project for all key personnel. The biosketch should include:
· Name
· Position title
· Education and training (including institution(s) and years
· Honors and awards
· Publications (sample list is sufficient to keep within page limits)
Additional Applicant Information
Review: Proposals will be evaluated by a committee consisting of members of the CARES Steering Committee and community representatives with appropriate expertise. Reviews may be solicited from specific experts on an ad hoc basis. Applicants should not expect detailed written critiques of their proposals.
Proposals will be reviewed for
1) how well the project meets the goals of the CARES SSG program,
2) potential for direct and timely impact on the problem identified and,
3) potential for future project development and impact on the problem identified.
Expectations
Funded projects: Award recipients are expected to produce sufficient preliminary results so that within 12 months after the expiration of the award a report on the findings in manuscript format can be prepared. Projects should include a plan for future directions and/or implementation including future grant proposals to state, federal, or private funding agencies.
Contributions to center mission: Awardees are expected to contribute to the ongoing work of the center through activities such as grant application reviews, presentations at CARES-sponsored symposia, and other center-related efforts.
Expenses Not Allowed: Alterations or renovations; purchase of office furniture; purchase or binding of periodicals and books; dues and memberships in scientific societies, travel not directly related to the project. No Indirect costs will be awarded.
Other: The proposal should also identify specific goals that will enhance the success of a full proposal, as well as provide a specific targeted timeline by which these objectives can be reasonably achieved. Finally, the proposal should provide a budget that adequately reflects the intended use of the funds with respect to the proposed objectives.
Where to Submit:
When submitting your application please type CARES and the name of your project in the subject line.
Ex. CARES [name of project]
All applications should be submitted electronically by e-mail as a single pdf to the email below. Tbrown4@som.umaryland.edu