The Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) and Transforming Chaplaincy recognize the central role of research in advancing the profession of health care chaplaincy. Advancing chaplaincy research requires multiple initiatives. An important next initiative is to support chaplains who are interested in doing research related to their work. To help advance research, APC and Transforming Chaplaincy are pleased to announce pilot grants for chaplaincy research. Two types of grants are available: a consultation grant and a pilot project grant. One grant of each type will be awarded in 2018.
Consultation Grant: 6 months; up to $2,000, designed to help chaplains and their colleagues develop a research question and plans to investigate that question. Funds pay for an experienced research consultant to help a team develop a research question and develop a proposal for research that is ready to be funded and implemented. The team must include a Board Certified chaplain (BCCI).
Consultation grant applications should include a 2 page (single-spaced) description of project, plus brief CVs of members of the team and an NIH biosketch (template available here) for the consultant. Applications should be submitted as a single PDF to Michael Skaggs, Transforming Chaplaincy Communications Director (mskaggs@brandeis.edu).
Pilot Project Grant: 18 months; up to $15,000, designed to help investigators implement a small study that advances knowledge about chaplaincy care (see Table 1 for suggested topics). Proposals must come from a multi-disciplinary team that includes a Board Certified chaplain (BCCI) and an experienced researcher. Projects can be single or multi-site. Projects from members of APC Special Interest Groups that are designed to strengthen those groups are especially welcome. Proposed projects must be able to be completed in 18 months. Proposed projects should lead to publications, presentations at professional meetings, and further funded research. Funds may be used for investigator salary, project coordinator, research assistant/data collection, data analysis, consultants.
Pilot grant applications should be submitted as a single PDF and include a clear statement of specific aims (1 page single spaced) and a research plan including significance, innovation and approach (6 pages single-spaced). In addition the application should include biosketches for project team and consultants, budget and budget justification and letter of support from appropriate institutional official. The checklist to apply can be found here. For further information or to submit completed applications (as a single PDF), contact Michael Skaggs, Transforming Chaplaincy Communications Director (mskaggs@brandeis.edu; (812) 269-2370).
Consultation | Pilot | |
Applications due | October 1, 2018 | October 1, 2018 |
Decisions announced | November 1, 2018 | November 1, 2018 |
Projects begin | January 1, 2019 | January 1, 2019 |
Projects end | June 30, 2019 | June 30, 2020 |