Request for Application

The Dartmouth Learning Health System E-STaR Center’s overarching goal is to address the disparities and unmet healthcare needs faced by the communities we serve by strengthening research training in patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR), comparative effectiveness research (CER), and learning health system (LHS) competencies. Scientists with these research skills can effectively generate new evidence to guide the improvement of healthcare quality, care experience, and patient outcomes.

We recruit and train diverse groups of scientists interested in building skills to conduct PCOR and CER within our learning health system. The Center provides selected scientists with mentorship and a tailored program of didactic and experiential training, co-designed with the scientist, to support research within the Promise Partnership Coproduction Learning Health System with a focus on improving health system operations, quality, and health outcomes.

This is an 18-month research training program with the first 6 months devoted to community engagement activities and study refinement with support from Center Cores prior to conducting research in months 7-18.

• Mentorship and Training:
  • Partnership Academy: Experiential training in community engagement to support coproduction from the outset of the scientist’s project.
  • Access to multidisciplinary mentorship and tailored training.
• Resources:
  • Support for a 12-month project with a direct cost budget of $40,000 to $60,000.
  • Scientist Salary Support: Up to 20% effort of salary support plus fringe benefits for the 18-month training, subject to NIH salary caps.
• Community of Practice:
  • Monthly LHS E-STaR Center Seminars.
  • Annual Promise Partnership Learning Collaboratives.
  • Weekly sessions at The Dartmouth Institute’s Coproduction Collaboratory.

Eligibility

• Early or mid-career scientist with a terminal degree (e.g., MD, PhD, DNP, or equivalent). Postdoctoral trainees, including those in a clinical fellowship supported by Dartmouth Health, are eligible to apply.
• Commitment to advancing the principles of coproduction, patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR), comparative effectiveness research (CER), and implementation of evidence-based practices within a learning health system.
• Able to devote at least 20% full-time equivalent effort for 18 months, starting in July 2025.

Letter of Intent Requirements: Due January 16 at 11:59 PM

1. Letter of Intent:
   • Proposal title.
   • Brief description of proposed research topic, including significance and preliminary specific aims (1-page limit). These aims may be modified for the final application but should convey the significance and innovation of the proposed research.
   • Explanation of how the proposed research aligns with the Center’s goal of addressing disparities and unmet healthcare needs in rural communities (½ page limit).
   • Discussion of how the Center’s training will support the applicant’s career objectives (½ page limit).
   • Review of the applicant’s training or life experiences that prepare them to contribute to inclusive excellence (½ page limit).
2. NIH-format Biosketch:
   • Submit an NIH-format biosketch.
3. References:
   • Please provide the names and contact information for three references, including at least one from the proposed research setting. Letters of recommendation are not required.
4. Mentor Information:
   • Include the name and email of your current mentor(s). The Center will assist in identifying a mentor if needed.
5. Signed Letter of Support:
   • Submit a signed letter (use the required template) from the applicant’s Department Chair and Section Chief (if applicable). This letter must affirm the applicant’s ability to commit 20% effort to Center activities for 18 months, starting in July 2025.
     For Dartmouth Health employees, please request DRA support through the DRA Intake Request Form at the time of the Letter of Intent.

Note: All submission materials must be written for a general scientific audience, as they will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary panel with diverse areas of research expertise including patient/family partners. Additionally, font should be Arial size 11 regular font body text and size 8 regular font for figures, tables, captions.

Review Process: The Center will conduct a preliminary review of all Letters of Intent, assessing project significance, feasibility, alignment with training needs, and the applicant’s potential for enhancing inclusive excellence. Selected applicants will be invited for interviews in January 2025, with finalists asked to submit a full proposal in February 2025.

Full Proposal Requirements

(based on an invitation from the Committee in February 2025)

The full proposal will be a maximum of five pages and will include the following:

• Candidate Statement: Address the importance of training opportunities in the context of the applicant’s career objectives. Discuss how the applicant’s background, training, and/or life experiences will contribute to the Center’s goal of promoting diversity in the scientific workforce, including groups historically underrepresented in medicine (e.g., racial and ethnic minorities, women, individuals who identify with LGBTQ+ communities, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from lower-income backgrounds). (Not to exceed 1 page)
• Research Project Proposal: (Not to exceed 4 pages exclusive of literature cited):
  • Specific Aims: Succinctly introduce the research project, its significance, innovation, aims, and expected outcomes, including how Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) and/or Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) are addressed.
  • Project Approach: Specify the characteristics of the population that will be studied and the research setting(s) for the project. For interventional studies, describe the interventions being compared and highlight the evidence that supports their efficacy and current use in clinical practice.
• Additional Items: (Not included within the 5-page limit):
  • Preliminary Statement of Project Resource Needs:
    • Indicate if you will have funding for the dedicated 20% effort for the 18-month training period from your department/section, K Award, Cancer Faculty Fellowship, or another source.
    • We recommend that patient and community partners be reimbursed $50 per hour for their time.
  • Preliminary Project Timeline
  • Literature Cited
  • Mentor: Provide an NIH biosketch of your current mentor. If you need assistance identifying a mentor, the Center will help within the first 6 months of the program. Mentors are expected to meet regularly with the scientists and collaborate with the E-STaR Center in creating an individualized learning plan.

All full proposal submissions and interviews will be reviewed and scored by an interdisciplinary Review Committee based on the following criteria:

1. Training and Career Goals: Reflects the need for patient-centered outcomes research, comparative effectiveness research, and/or learning health system competency training.
2. Project Focus: Significance to the Promise Partnership Coproduction Learning Health System and the communities served.
3. Feasibility: Highly feasible to complete within 12 months.
4. Impact: Potential for high impact on timely healthcare access and other salient patient-centered outcomes.
5. Engagement: Demonstrates ability and desire to engage with patient partners/community members in research.
6. Receptivity to Feedback and Mentoring: Open to comments and suggestions on preliminary aims and project design.
7. Subject Matter Knowledge: Demonstrates understanding of the broader subject matter or subfield.
8. Contribution to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging: Ability to foster a culture of inclusive excellence.
9. Leadership and Collegiality: Demonstrates ability to work well with others and actively participate in Center activities.

Timeline

Frequently Asked Questions