Open-Call 2017 TSNRP Funding Opportunity (rev 3-14-17).pdf

TriService Nursing Research Program (TSNRP) – “Open Call” Fiscal Year 2017 Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)

A. Program Description

The TriService Nursing Research Program (TSNRP) was founded in 1992 and funds and supports rigorous scientific research studies and evidence-based practice (EBP) projects in the field of military nursing. TSNRP is located within the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) which is authorized by 10 USC 2113(g)(1)(A) to make grants to any nonprofit entity for the purpose of carrying out cooperative enterprises in medical research, medical consultation, and medical education.

TSNRP supports nurse scientists in all stages of their careers through research funding, education, and mentoring. Since its inception, TSNRP has funded 429 research and EBP projects; 19 applications were successfully funded in Fiscal Year 2016.

The mission of TSNRP is to facilitate nursing research to optimize the health of military members and their beneficiaries, with the following the five strategic goals:

1. Advance a culture of scientific inquiry and scholarly knowledge application.

2. Advocate mission critical priorities by building a military nursing research science base.

3. Expand infrastructure to support and develop nursing research and EBP.

4. Invest in military nurse scientists and programs of research.

5. Foster interservice nursing research capacity.

The TSNRP research priorities include:

1. Force Health Protection: A holistic examination of factors affecting the health care of operational personnel (e.g., war fighters, support personnel) and their families before, during, and after deployment. Priorities within this category include:

− Fit and ready force.

− Deploy with and care for the warrior.

− Care for all entrusted to our care.

2. Nursing Competencies and Practice: Description and evaluation of the military nursing competencies necessary to sustain a patient from point of injury or other health event through the continuum of care. Evaluation of educational interventions to enhance learning and retention of military nursing operational skill sets. Translation of research and other evidential knowledge into the clinical practice arena. Outcomes studies to evaluate effects of comparative treatments or implementation of evidence-based interventions. Priorities within this category include:

− Patient outcomes.

− Quality and safety.

− Translate research into practice/EBP.

− Clinical excellence.

− Knowledge management.

− Education and training.

3. Leadership, Ethics, and Mentoring: Description and evaluation of leadership and mentoring characteristics, approaches, and strategies and their effects on military nursing and/or patient care policies. Description and evaluation of the types of ethical issues that military nurses encounter in practice and the types of education, topics, and resources helpful to ethical military nursing practice. Priorities within this category include:

− Health policy.

− Recruitment and retention.

− Preparing tomorrow’s leaders.

− Care of the caregiver.

B. Federal Award Information

TSNRP expects to award $4.5 million in support of this program and intends to issue approximately twenty (20) awards for successful applications. However, the number and type of awards issued each year are contingent on the availability of funds and the receipt of meritorious applications. There is no minimum or maximum number of awards that TSNRP must fund.

Proposals for the Graduate Research or Evidence-Based Practice Award will be accepted under this funding announcement:

Purpose of Award: Funding for dissertation, thesis, or final project.

Eligibility Requirements:

− Active Duty or Reserve nurse in the U.S. military.

− Master’s or doctoral degree student.

Direct Cost Limit: $30,000 per award for up to 2 years

Proposals for the following award categories will be accepted ONLY if requested by the Chief of the Army Nurse Corps, the Director of the Navy Nurse Corps, or the Chief of the Air Force Nurse Corps.

The request from the Corps Chief/Director must be received by TSNRP prior to submission of the proposal.

1. Evidence Based Practice Guideline Development Award

Purpose of Award: Development of a Clinical Practice Guideline to improve outcomes, standardize care, and promote cost-effective care. Awardees are expected to apply for an Implementation of Innovation EBP Award upon successful completion of this effort.

Eligibility Requirement: Active Duty nurse in the U.S. military at a military medical facility Direct Cost Limit: $150,000 (total) for up to 2 years

2. Evidence Based Practice Implementation Award

Purpose of Award: Funding to implement and evaluate a Clinical Practice Guidenline to improve outcomes, standardize care, and promote cost-effective care Eligibility Requirement: Active Duty nurse in the U.S. military at a military medical facility Direct Cost Limit: $150,000 (total) for up to 2 years

3. Investigator-Initiated Research Award Purpose of Award: Funding for research studies that meet TSNRP priorities and aligns with investigator’s interests and capabilities Eligibility Requirements:

− Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, or retired nurse in the U.S. military − Completed or successfully finishing a funded research study or has been first author on two data-based refereed publications, post-dissertation Direct Cost Limit: $450,000 (total) for up to 3 years

4. Exploratory Research Award Purpose of Award: Funding to pursue a high-risk, high-reward course of research; change research direction; or generate preliminary data or demonstrate feasibility before applying for a larger grant award Eligibility Requirement: Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, or retired nurse in the U.S.

military Direct Cost Limit: $300,000 (total) for up to 2 years

Previous award amounts have ranged from $8,000 to $450,000 over a 12- to 36-month performance period, depending on the award category. The anticipated performance period for these awards will be March 2017 through September 2020.

Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects will not be accepted through this mechanism. Eligible grants that have been submitted previously to TSNRP and received a request to “revise and resubmit” may be resubmitted through this funding opportunity, but will only be considered on the same topic a total of three times (two re-submissions).

Awards will be in the form of a grant, or a cooperative agreement if the Principal Investigator (PI) is an active duty military member and the performance site is on a military installation.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants – Eligible TSNRP applicants are limited to Active Duty, Reserve, or retired military nurses from the United States Army, Navy, or Air Force, or National Guard Nurse Corps Officers. Depending on the award category, there may be additional eligibility requirements as outlined in Section B.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching – There is no cost sharing, matching, or cost participation required for this opportunity.

3. Other – TSNRP awards are given only to non-Federal nonprofit organizations and academic institutions (“Applicant Organizations”). Because of this requirement, all grantees must be associated with an Applicant Organization. TSNRP does not endorse or favor any particular Applicant Organization.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package – The application package may be retrieved from the

Grants.gov website. If there are difficulties downloading the attachment, please contact Lt Col Jennifer Hatzfeld via email at jennifer.hatzfeld@usuhs.edu or telephone at 301-319-0596.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

a. The following forms are required for a complete application.

i. SF 424 (R&R), Application for Federal Assistance

ii. Project/Performance Site Location(s)

iii. Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile

iv. Research & Related Other Project Information

v. Research & Related Budget

vi. Attachment Forms

b. Formatting:

− The title for the proposed study or project can be no more than 81 characters long, including spaces. Abbreviations, if used, should be easily understood by a nonscientist or nonclinician (e.g. ICU for Intensive Care Unit).

− Single-space the grant application text.

− Set all margins at one-half–inch wide. If using preformatted application forms, leave the margins as they are.

− Include the Project Director/Principal Investigator name (last, first) at the top of each page.

− Number pages consecutively, including appendices.

c. Font:

− Choose one of the following fonts: Arial, Georgia, Helvetica, Palatino Linotype, or

Times New Roman.

− Use a font size of at least 12 point.

− Use a type density of no more than 15 characters and spaces per inch.

− Do not have more than 6 lines per inch.

− Use only black type. Use color in figures, photos, or tables only if color aids in understanding.

3. Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) – Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or Federal awarding agency that is excepted from those requirements under 2 CFR 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR 25.110(d)) is required to: (i) be registered in SAM before submitting an application; (ii) mailto:jennifer.hatzfeld@usuhs.edu provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. The Federal awarding agency may not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the Federal awarding agency is ready to make a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a federal award to another applicant.

4. Submission Dates and Times – There are three separate submission dates for TSNRP FY2017 funding opportunities. Applications for the TSNRP Open Call (ONLY) will be accepted any time between 12 October 2016 and 1 Jun 2017 at 4:00 pm Eastern Time. Late applications will not be considered. Determination of on-time receipt will be made by reviewing the Date/Time Received stamp generated by Grants.gov. Confirmation of receipt for timely applications will be sent via email no later than 24-48 hours after receipt on Grants.gov.

5. Intergovernmental Review – Not applicable.

6. Funding Restrictions – Pre-award costs will not be reimbursed.

7. Other Submission Requirements

a. Cover Letter From Applicant Organization. A signed cover letter is required from the Applicant Organization. This letter shall be on the Applicant Organization's letterhead and include:

i. The title of your proposed study/project.

ii. The TSNRP Call for Proposals year (FY 2017).

iii. Your complete contact information.

iv. The name and contact information of your Applicant Organization.

b. TSNRP Grant Application Summary and Evaluation. A separate attachment is required that provides the following information, in this order:

i. Proposal Information − Title of the proposal − Principal Investigator/Project Director’s Military Rank and Full Name − Award Category − TSNRP Research Priority − Study Population, to include specific military service, component, and/or beneficiary status − If proposal was previously submitted to TSNRP − Relevance to Military Nursing Clinical Practice, Education, Management, and/or Policy, to include a description of the specific impact and benefit of the study and how the research will produce new military-relevant scientific knowledge that will close or narrow an identified research gap or how the project will facilitate evidence-based military nursing practice.

ii. Principal Investigator/Project Director Information

− Branch of Service (Army, Navy, Air Force) − Military Status (Active Duty, Reserve, Guard, Retired) − Work Contact Information to include duty title, employer(s), military unit (if applicable), mailing address, telephone number(s) and e-mail − Home Contact Information, to include mailing address, telephone number(s) and e-mail − Preferred Contact Location (home or work) − Previous TSNRP grant submissions, to include the year, title of the grant application, application number (e.g., N08-P04), and whether the application was funded.

− Previous attendance at TSNRP Grant Camp − Previous attendance at another grant writing workshop − Previous completion of TSNRP Post-Award Grant Management Workshop − Short Paragraph of how and when first learned about TSNRP grant awards − Previous professional presentations − Previous professional publications

iii. Feedback on the TSNRP application process − Ability to understand the following items

[rate from 1 (very confusing) to 6 (very clear), or indicate if not applicable] o TSNRP research priorities o Application instructions and guidelines o Program announcement or specific information for each grant award o Purpose and characteristics of each grant award o Eligibility requirements o Applicant organization requirements o Submission process o Budget requirements o Timeline o Scientific merit review criteria o Programmatic review criteria

− Ability to accomplish the following tasks [rate from 1 (very difficult) to 6 (very easy), or indicate if not applicable] o Contact TSNRP staff to ask a question or seek assistance o Follow the application instructions o Assemble the complete application

c. Revised Applications: Revised applications must address all previous reviewers’ comments and suggestions and include substantial revisions in the resubmitted grant application. A table with major reviewer comments/concerns/suggestions, changes made, and specific pages with relevant changes must be provided to summarize the revisions. This should be included as the first part of your Project/Research Plan, but does not count against the page limit. Additionally, place brackets around any paragraphs in the revised grant application with significant changes from the previous submission. Do not underline, italicize, bold, or highlight changes.

d. Subawards: A separate Research & Related Budget document will be used for each sub-award and included in the attachments to the grant application. Any other supporting documents for a subaward can be included as separate attachments.

E. Application Review Information

1. Criteria – Applications will be evaluated based on scientific merit (to include military feasibility and relevance) and alignment with TSNRP mission, research priorities, and goals.

a. Scientific merit criteria include:

− Scientific approach and technical merit.

− Originality and innovative nature of the grant application; applicability of previous findings.

− Significance and relevance to nursing practice.

− Availability of institutional resources and adequacy of the environment to support the study.

− Military feasibility and relevance.

− Qualifications, expertise, experience, and stability of the PI and project team.

− Budget and study/project duration.

− Protection of human subjects (if applicable).

− The mentoring plan (if applicable).

b. Programmatic review criteria include:

− Scientific merit.

− Relevance to military nursing practice.

− Relevance to TSNRP portfolio/programmatic priorities.

− Development of competence/knowledge transfer.

− The likelihood that the project will contribute to important changes in military nursing clinical practice and improved outcomes.

− Sustainability.

− Strengths and stability of the study/project team.

− Potential benefit of the proposed project relative to the proposed budget.

− Performance history on past TSNRP awards (if applicable).

− Qualifications of the mentor and quality of the mentorship plan (if applicable).

c. The TSNRP Executive Board of Directors makes final funding decisions based on:

− The mission, research priorities, and goals of TSNRP.

− Outcomes of the scientific merit and programmatic reviews.

− Recommendations of the Advisory Council.

2. Review and Selection Process - All applications undergo a two-tiered review process, to include a scientific merit review, conducted by members of an external Scientific Review Panel (SRP) and a programmatic review, conducted by members of the TSNRP Advisory Council. The outcome from the reviews guide the final funding decisions made by TSNRP’s Executive Board of Directors. More information about the TSNRP Executive Board of Directors can be found on the TSNRP website at https://www.usuhs.edu/tsnrp/executive-board, and information on the Advisory Council can be found at https://www.usuhs.edu/tsnrp/advisory-council.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates – The Government anticipates notifying awardees of funding decisions approximately four (4) months after submission.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices – Successful applicants will receive via email a copy of the grant award to be signed by an institutional/company authorizing official who has the ability to “bind” the company. Once returned to USU, the award will be executed by the grants officer which constitutes the authorizing document. No work may begin until a fully executed grant agreement is received by the successful applicant(s).

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements – All grant awards issued as a result of this opportunity will be subject to the Uniformed Services University General Terms and Conditions for Assistance Awards, supplemented with TSNRP requirements. The TSNRP supplement to these terms and conditions can be found at (https://www.usuhs.edu/sites/default/files/media/tsnrp/ pdf/supplement-to-grant-terms-and-conditions.pdf), or is available electronically upon request.

3. Reporting – Applicants selected for funding will be required to submit one (1) Interim Progress Report six months after the project start date, one (1) Annual Progress Report no more than thirty

(30) calendar days after each anniversary of the start date of the grant, and a final progress report no more than ninety (90) calendar days after the expiration of the grant.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact – For questions related to this opportunity, please contact Lt Col Jennifer Hatzfeld, Executive Director, TriService Nursing Research Program, via email at jennifer.hatzfeld@usuhs.edu or by telephone at 301-319-0596.

H. Other Information

1. First-time Applicants – First-time applicants are encouraged to request a TSNRP grant application information packet. It provides additional detail on the review process, potential applicant organizations, research specialty leaders for each of the Services, sample appendices, and helpful resources. It is also recommended that eligible applicants have attended a TSNRP-sponsored Research and Evidence-Based Practice Grant Camp, which provides valuable insight and guidance on completing a successful grant application. More information about “Grant Camp” can be found at www.usuhs.edu/tsnrp/workshops.

2. Post Award Workshop – Applicants that have not received TSNRP funding in the past must include in the proposed budget travel to attend a one-day TSNRP Post Award Workshop for the Principal Investigator and (if applicable) a full time research coordinator or project manager. It is expected this travel will be accomplished during the first year of the award. The Post Award Workshop is provided in conjunction with the TSNRP Dissemination Course, usually scheduled in April each year.

3. Research Integrity and Scientific Misconduct – Scientific misconduct refers to fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research or in reporting https://www.usuhs.edu/tsnrp/executive-board https://www.usuhs.edu/tsnrp/advisory-council mailto:jennifer.hatzfeld@usuhs.edu http://www.usuhs.edu/tsnrp/workshops research results. TSNRP will not tolerate scientific misconduct by TSNRP award applicants or recipients.

4. Additional Information – Additional information about TNSRP can be found at www.usuhs.edu/tsnrp; information on previously funded studies can be found by retrieving final reports through the Defense Technical Information Center’s technical reports search engine at http://www.dtic.mil.

http://www.usuhs.edu/tsnrp http://www.dtic.mil/