Listed below are funding opportunities specifically geared towards supporting the development of student researchers. Because JASARC is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the majority of the listed opportunities have a substance-abuse related theme but allow for relatively wide latitude within that context. Most of these opportunities require active mentoring and collaboration with a faculty member. Students interested in applying for one of these grants and therefore encouraged to contact one of the JASARC Investigators working most closely in their area of interest to discuss the possibility of developing and submitting a proposal. Students may also email Dr. Swartz to discuss their plans and to help select an appropriate mentor.

FEDERAL OPPORTUNITIES

AHRQ Grants for Health Services Research Dissertation (R36)

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) announces its continued interest in the health services research dissertation grant program (R36). This program supports research undertaken as part of an academic program to qualify for a doctorate. The AHRQ dissertation award supports dissertation research costs for students in accredited research
doctoral programs in the United States (including Puerto Rico, and other U.S. Territories or possessions).

AHRQ has identified strategic goals as priority research areas. Research applications must address one of these areas. Applicants are strongly encouraged to focus on topical areas unique to AHRQ, demonstrating how expected results can be used or made available for use to enhance patient safety and quality of care. Results should be directly relevant to customers, such as providers and practitioners, administrators, payers, consumers, policymakers, and insurers. The strategic research goals are:
Safety/quality – Reduce the risk of harm from health care services by promoting the delivery of appropriate care that achieves the best quality outcomes
Efficiency – Achieve wider access to effective health care services and reduce health care costs
Effectiveness – Assure that providers and consumers/patients use beneficial and timely health care information to make informed decision choices

Applicants are further encouraged to address health services research issues critical to AHRQ priority populations, including: individuals living in inner city and rural (including frontier) areas; low-income and minority groups; women, children, the elderly; and individuals with special health care needs, including those with disabilities and those who need chronic or end-of-life health care.

The total direct costs awarded under this FOA for dissertations must not
exceed $35,000 for the entire project period, which should be a minimum of
nine months and not to exceed 17 months in duration. Application Submission Dates(s): April 10, August 10, December 10, annually. To view the full announcements and for application materials, follow this link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-06-118.html.

Drug Abuse Dissertation Research: Epidemiology, Prevention, Treatment, Services, and Women and Sex/Gender Differences

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) announces the availability of NIH Dissertation Award grants (R36) to support drug abuse doctoral dissertation research in epidemiology, prevention, treatment, services, and women and sex/gender differences, areas in which there is a significant need for new investigators. Grant support is designed to encourage doctoral candidates from a variety of academic disciplines and programs to conduct research in these areas of interest to NIDA. It is hoped that this program will ultimately facilitate the entry of promising new investigators into the field of drug abuse research. Grants to support dissertation research will provide no more than $50,000 in direct costs per year, and are awarded for up to two years, with the possibility of extension without additional funds for up to 12 months.

Research Supplements for Underrepresented Minorities

This program, originally announced in 1989, was established to address the need to increase the number of underrepresented minority scientists  participating in biomedical research and the health related sciences. The purpose of the application is to request support for an underrepresented minority high school student, undergraduate student, post-baccalaureate student, post-master's degree student, graduate student, individual in postdoctoral training, or a staff or faculty member to participate in an ongoing research project.

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards for Individual Predoctoral Fellows (F31)

This program will provide predoctoral training support for doctoral candidates who have successfully completed their comprehensive examinations or the equivalent by the time of award and will be performing dissertation research and training. The applicant should provide evidence of potential for a productive research career based upon the quality of previous research training and academic record. The applicant must propose a dissertation research project and training program which falls into a research area within the scientific mission of the NIAAA, NIBIB, NIDCD, NIDA, NIMH, or NINDS.The research training experience must enhance the applicant�s conceptualization of research problems and research skills, under the guidance and supervision of a committed mentor who is an active and established investigator in the area of the applicant's proposed research. Submission dates are January 10, May 10, September 10.

NIH Predoctoral Fellowship Awards for Minority Students (F31)

The National Research Service Award Predoctoral Fellowship for Minority Students will provide up to five years of support for research training leading to the Ph.D. or equivalent research degree; the combined M.D./Ph.D. degree; or other combined professional degree and research doctoral degree in the biomedical, behavioral sciences, or health services research. These fellowships are designed to enhance the racial and ethnic diversity of the biomedical, behavioral, and health services research labor force in the United States. An applicant must currently be enrolled in a Ph.D. or equivalent research degree program, a combined M.D./Ph.D. program, or other combined professional doctorate/research Ph.D. graduate program in the biomedical or behavioral sciences, or have been accepted by and agreed to enroll in such a graduate program in the academic year for which funds are sought.

FOUNDATION SUPPORT

Robert Wood Johnson Substance Abuse Policy Research Program

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation supports substance abuse policy research through two mechanisms, under $100,000 grants, which may be submitted three times per year (Nov. 1, March 1, and June 1) and over $100,000 grants, which may be submitted only in response to special solicitations. RWJ SAPRP focuses on policy-relevant research and does not fund basic research projects. Students would be most likely to apply for an under $100,000 grant to support a policy research project and are strongly encouraged to partner with a faculty member to develop their proposal.