Due January 31, 2024
Funding research and evidence-based practice projects is a part of the mission and strategic plan of STN. The goal is to impact the care and treatment of trauma patients.
For Nurse Researchers: This program provides support for nurses who:
- Strive to continually evaluate and improve the practice of trauma nursing; and
- Change the practice of trauma nursing based on evidence and the evaluation of that change.
For Trauma Patients and their families: Nurses will improve care outcomes as a result of their findings.
STN Research Grant Program Open House and Q&A
October 17, 2022
Resources
- Research Grant Application Form Complete by January 31, 2024
- STN Research Webinar Series
- Grant Budget Form [Excel]
GENERAL GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible, the principal investigator of the study must be an STN member. Research must impact patients or family members of patients who have had an injury due to a traumatic mechanism.
The role and importance of the nurse clinicians in the conceptualization, data collection, analysis, and/or reporting is imperative. The role of the staff nurses is a required section in the letter of intent and both in your letter of intent and application to ensure that this project will enhance the research/EBP knowledge and experience of nurse clinicians.
| What STN May Fund | What STN Will Not Fund |
| Small equipment (such as recording devices) | Laptop computers and tablets such as iPads |
| Software | Institutional overhead |
| Supplies | CITI training |
| Printed materials for study | IRB review costs |
| Buyout of clinical/staff nurses’ time so that may lead or participate as members of the study team (clinical nurse – includes Advanced Practice Nurses) | Mentor time |
| Data entry time | Investigator time (i.e., individual whose primary role is research – not clinical practice) |
| Statistician time | Staff nurses’ compensation when they are subjects of the study, as opposed to members of the research team |
| Subject incentives to participate in the study (must be approved by IRB) | Faculty compensation (except in limited role as consultant on unique aspect of project) |
STN’s aim is to fund studies whose findings will be transferable to other organizations and practitioners once completed. Applicants should be ready to implement their projects immediately following funding from STN. To expedite this, the application requires you to provide evidence of permission to use the tools proposed. Only projects approved by your Institutional Review Board (IRB) or which have been exempted in writing by your IRB will be funded. A copy of your IRB approval on IRB letterhead and with an appropriate signature will be required prior to the funding of the grant.
IRB approval can be pending during the application process. However, the project will not actually be funded without IRB approval. Studies and projects should plan to be completed within one year of starting the work. Checks will only be written to your institution or a specified fund at your institution, not to an individual investigator.
Community-based participatory research and EBP projects that address health inequities and/or seek to improve trauma care for oppressed populations are strongly encouraged and will be prioritized for funding, all other qualifications being equal.
CRITERIA FOR RESEARCH GRANT PROPOSALS (FUNDING UP TO $15,000)
| Introduction and literature review | Provides clear and thorough introduction and background, including relevant data giving justification and identification of a gap in knowledge/practice. Identification of a theoretical or conceptual framework to guide study. |
| Purpose / Objective | States a clear, specific, and testable research question. Aims are congruent to the purpose. |
| Methods | Provides a logical, clear explanation of the proposed experimental methods, which are sound and appropriate to measure the stated aims. The proposed analysis is appropriate. |
| Limitations | Limitations to the proposal are clearly identified, and without fatal undermining |
| Feasibility | The proposed study is feasible and the timeline appropriate for conducting the proposed experiment |
| Funding request | The budget is descriptive, appropriate, and complete. The funding request is justified for the proposed study. |
| Contributions to Trauma Nursing | The purpose of the study aligns with the mission and focus of STN and the contributions the study will make to trauma nursing are clear. |
| Research team | The research team is well-versed, appropriate, and will be able to support the PI. |
| Writing style and completeness | Proposal is complete, well-written, and has acceptable style/grammar. References are present and appropriate. |
CRITERIA FOR MICRO GRANT PROPOSALS (FUNDING UP TO $5,000)
The STN micro-grant program is designed to build the research study and evidence-based practice (EBP) research project capacity of trauma nurses. This award provides trauma nurses who have not been previously engaged in writing research or EBP proposals or who have not been successful in obtaining previous funding to begin a research or EBP project in an area of interest.
Awards are available up to $5000 and will be made to the grantee’s institution. The Principal Investigator for this research or EBP project may be a nurse or a graduate nursing student. a post doctorate or junior faculty. Priority will be given to projects that intend to use results to scale or support additional research in the area of focus, all other qualifications being equal.
| Clinical Inquiry and Literature Review | The clinical question that the project addresses is clearly stated. Evidence, identified through an evaluation of recent literature, is presented to support the proposed improvements to current practice. |
| Statement of Purpose | A compelling statement outlining the purpose of the proposed initiative and its significance to delivering optimal trauma care is presented. |
| Institutional Qualifications | Qualifications and capabilities of project team and institutional capabilities are sufficient to facilitate successful project completion. |
| Plan/Methods | The EBP model is clearly identified and aligns with the project. The approach and steps for implementation and evaluation are logical. Potential facilitators and barriers to EBP/QI are identified and sufficient structures are in place to support the project. |
| Critical Appraisal Tools | Relevant critical appraisal tools are identified and included in the proposal. |
| Recommendations | The evidence is clearly and concisely summarized and supports the EBP/QI purpose. |
| Implementation | Relevant implementation strategies for the project are identified (processes, people, data points, outcome measures, and financial support). The funding request is justified for the proposed project. |
| Impact on Trauma Nursing | The project aligns with the mission and focus of STN and the potential impact is clear. |
| Writing style and completeness | The proposal is complete, well-written, and has acceptable style/grammar. References are present and appropriate. |
REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL FUNDED GRANTS
Interim and Final Reports
At the half-way point and at the conclusion of your study or evidence-based practice project, a report from the Grantee is required.
Publishing Your Work
It is expected that any project receiving funding from STN, when published or presented, the research should recognize STN in the following way: “Funding provided by STN Grant for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects.”An STN logo will be provided for your use. The findings of your study will be posted on the STN website. The specifics will be discussed with you prior to the posting. STN requires all Grantees to submit their research to The Journal of Trauma Nursing (submission does not guarantee publication).
When the Investigator or Team Members Leave the Institution
STN must be notified by email (to
If a Project Cannot be Completed
If a project funded by STN cannot be completed for any reason, the STN must be informed immediately and any remaining funds must be returned to STN.
Conclusion
In summary, STN aims to fund studies and projects that represent good science, are likely to impact trauma patients and their families in a direct and meaningful way, foster health equity, and that are replicable and/or have broad-based impact.
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