Group items tagged

The goal of the NSF Smart and Connected Communities (S&CC) program solicitation is to accelerate the creation of the scientific and engineering foundations that will enable smart and connected communities to bring about new levels of economic opportunity and growth, safety and security, health and wellness, and overall quality of life. This goal will be achieved through integrative research projects that pair advances in technological and social dimensions with meaningful community engagement. For the purposes of this solicitation, communities are defined as having geographically-delineated boundaries-such as towns, cities, counties, neighborhoods, community districts, rural areas, and tribal regions-consisting of various populations, with the structure and ability to engage in meaningful ways with proposed research activities. A "smart and connected community" is, in turn, a community that synergistically integrates intelligent technologies with the natural and built environments, including infrastructure, to improve the social, economic, and environmental well-being of those who live, work, or travel within it. A proposal for an S&CC Integrative Research Grants must include the following: Integrative research that addresses the technological and social dimensions of smart and connected communities; Meaningful community engagement that integrates community stakeholders within the project; A management plan that summarizes how the project will be managed across disciplines, institutions, and community entities; and An evaluation plan for assessing short-, medium-, and long-term impacts of the proposed activities.

Cities and communities in the U.S. and around the world are entering a new era of transformational change, in which their inhabitants and the surrounding built and natural environments are increasingly connected by smart technologies, leading to new opportunities for innovation, improved services, and enhanced quality of life. The goal of this Smart & Connected Communities (S&CC) solicitation is to support strongly interdisciplinary, integrative research and research capacity-building activities that will improve understanding of smart and connected communities and lead to discoveries that enable sustainable change to enhance community functioning. Unless stated otherwise, for the purposes of this year's solicitation, communities are physical, geographically-defined entities, such as towns, cities, or incorporated rural areas, consisting of various populations, with a governance structure and the ability to engage in meaningful ways with the proposed research.

Cities and communities in the U.S. and around the world are entering a new era of transformational change, in which their inhabitants and the surrounding built and natural environments are increasingly connected by smart technologies, leading to new opportunities for innovation, improved services, and enhanced quality of life. The goal of this Smart & Connected Communities (S&CC) solicitation is to support strongly interdisciplinary, integrative research and research capacity-building activities that will improve understanding of smart and connected communities and lead to discoveries that enable sustainable change to enhance community functioning. Unless stated otherwise, for the purposes of this year's solicitation, communities are physical, geographically-defined entities, such as towns, cities, or incorporated rural areas, consisting of various populations, with a governance structure and the ability to engage in meaningful ways with the proposed research.

This cooperative agreement will establish and maintain an interdisciplinary, multicenter research forum for scientific collaboration and infrastructure building, which will provide national leadership in research designed to improve the behavioral, mental, social, and/or cognitive health and wellbeing of children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. As authorized by Section 399BB of the Autism CARES Act, the research network will determine the evidence-based practices for interventions to improve the behavioral health of individuals with ASD and other developmental disabilities, develop guidelines for those interventions, and disseminate information related to such research and guidelines. The AIR-B Network will be one of two HRSA-supported research networks that will provide national leadership in research to advance the evidence base on effective interventions for children and adolescents with ASD and other developmental disabilities, with AIR-B having a focus on addressing behavioral health and wellbeing. As directed by the FY 2015 Congressional Appropriations for HRSA's Autism CARES Act programs, HRSA is broadening the scope of this funding opportunity to reflect an additional emphasis on addressing disparities in effective interventions and treatment and access to care experienced by underserved minority and rural communities. In particular, applicants should consider diverse ethnic/racial, cultural, linguistic, socioeconomic, and geographic (e.g., rural/urban, tribal) populations for whom there is little evidence regarding the effectiveness of interventions, or for whom access to effective treatments is limited. Applicants should include plans to conduct multi-site research protocols on innovative treatment models, including the use of telehealth networks, to improve behavioral health interventions and treatment for ASD in underserved minority and rural communities. It is expected that the AIR-B Netwo

CDC announces the availability of fiscal year 2018 (FY18) funds to implement DP18-1813 Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH). This 5-year initiative is to improve health, prevent chronic diseases, and reduce health disparities among racial and ethnic populations with the highest risk, or burden, of chronic disease, specifically for African Americans/Blacks, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islanders, American Indians, and Alaska Natives, by: Supporting culturally tailored interventions to address the preventable health behaviors of tobacco use, poor nutrition and physical inactivity Linking community and clinical efforts to increase access to health care and preventive care programs at the community level Supporting implementation, evaluation and dissemination of practice- and evidence-based strategies on the four topic areas of tobacco, nutrition, physical activity, and community-clinical collaborations that ultimately lead to reduced health disparities in chronic conditions of hypertension, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and obesity Funding will support recipients that: Have a history of successfully working with an established community coalition to address issues relating to health or other disparities. Select strategies that address the health disparities in the community based on results from a community health needs assessment process. Have organizational capacity to effectively, efficiently, and immediately implement locally tailored evidence- and practice-based strategies

Through this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) announces its interest in supporting meritorious research projects in three distinct domains related to cancer communication: 1) the utility and application of new cancer communication surveillance approaches; 2) the development and testing of rapid cancer communication interventions using innovative methods and designs; and 3) the development and testing of multilevel cancer communication models emphasizing bidirectional influence between levels. For such projects, applicants should apply communication science approaches to the investigation of behavioral targets and health outcomes related to cancer prevention and control. Applications should utilize one or more innovative communication research methodologies.

Through this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) announces its interest in supporting meritorious research projects in three distinct domains related to cancer communication: 1) the utility and application of new cancer communication surveillance approaches; 2) the development and testing of rapid cancer communication pilot interventions using innovative methods and designs; and 3) the development and testing of multilevel cancer communication models emphasizing bidirectional influence between levels. For such projects, applicants should apply communication science approaches to the investigation of behavioral targets and health outcomes related to cancer prevention and control. Applications should utilize one or more innovative communication research methodologies.

The Kitsap Community Foundation in Silverdale, Washington, has announced that it has an additional $90,000 to award in 2019 to small and medium-sized 501(c)(3) organizations doing work in the fields of behavioral health and health equity in Kitsap and North Mason counties. The new grant money was made available by Premera Blue Cross as part of Premera's Social Impact Program. Recognizing the important connection between behavioral health and overall health, Premera Blue Cross launched the program with the aim of supporting behavioral health issues, particularly in underserved communities. The program currently supports sixty-four evidence‐based programs and pilot projects with the potential for significant impact in Washington state and Alaska, and the focus of those programs and pilots, for the most part, is on prevention rather than intervention. Indeed, the foundation and Premera believe that by addressing behavioral health issues - especially for populations where community health data consistently shows treatment disparities exist - overall community health will improve. Grant amounts will range between $5,000 and $15,000, and priority will be given to proposals that serve underserved communities, including people of color, low‐income populations, rural populations, and children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences. Grant funds must be used during the 2020 calendar year.

The purpose of this solicitation is to support research to produce sustainable community-level reductions in violence. NIJ seeks to develop scientific evidence and build practical knowledge of the factors that contribute to achieving enduring violence reductions in communities. NIJ is interested in receiving proposals for research with both empirical and theory-building elements that will lead to practical and generalizable recommendations. These recommendations should inform community-focused efforts to produce substantial and lasting violence reductions in communities that have suffered from persistently high levels of violence.

The Executive Office of the President, Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) are accepting applications for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program grants. By statute, the DFC Support Program has two goals: Establish and strengthen collaboration among communities, public and private non-profit agencies, as well as federal, state, local, and tribal governments to support the efforts of community coalitions working to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth*. Reduce substance abuse among youth and, over time, reduce substance abuse among adults by addressing the factors in a community that increase the risk of substance abuse and promoting the factors that minimize the risk of substance abuse.

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) invites applications for Clinical Research Center Grants designed to advance the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and amelioration of human communication disorders.  For this announcement, Clinical Research is defined as research involving individuals with communication disorders or data/tissues from individuals with a communication disorder. Examples of such research include but are not limited to, studies of the prevention, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, management or epidemiology of a disease or disorder of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, or language.

The FY 2016 CVE Grant Program supports programs, projects and activities that prevent recruitment or radicalization to violence by interrupting those efforts, building community-level resilience to them, and identifying the early signs of radicalization to violence and providing appropriate interventions through civic organizations, law enforcement or other entities. Community resilience in the CVE context means those communities where violent extremists routinely meet disinterest and opposition, recruitment attempts routinely fail, and communities know what tools and support are available to assist individuals that may be on a path towards violence.

This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under the Innovations in Care Coordination for Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Other Developmental Disabilities (DD) Program. The purpose of this program is to build on past HRSA programs (HRSA-16-048 and HRSA-13-207) to improve access to coordinated and integrated care for children with, or at risk for, ASD/DD and their families in medically underserved areas and populations.[1],[2] The purpose and objectives of this program will be accomplished by implementing the following two strategies: Family Navigation - Increasing family navigation services to improve communication between families and primary and specialty providers; link children with/at risk for ASD/DD to diagnostic evaluations, ASD/DD services, and community resources; and provide education to families of children with/at risk for ASD/DD to improve self-efficacy in navigating the system of care for children with/at risk for ASD/DD; and Provider Education - Providing education, training, and technical assistance to providers, and community based-organizations providing services to ASD/DD on improving care for children with/at risk for ASD/DD through a learning community. [1] At risk for ASD/DD can be defined as children who have been identified through primary care developmental surveillance as needing further screening or evaluation for ASD/DD. [2] HRSA definition for Medically Underserved Areas: https://datawarehouse.hrsa.gov/topics/shortageareas.aspx.

Community Corrections Supervision organizations are increasingly interested in adopting effective supervision interventions as a growing body of research indicates that staff, well trained in evidence-based practices, improve public safety outcomes. More specifically, the community corrections profession is investing in interventions that support behavior change and are moving away from using only control and containment supervision strategies. Research indicates, when community supervision staff employ evidence based approaches that reduce risk and need, coupled with skillful use of innovations such as Core Correctional Practices (i.e., effective reinforcement, cognitive restructuring and professional alliance), they become adept at helping persons under community supervision identify thinking errors, develop problem-solving skills and have the ability to reinforce these new skills.

The goal of the RCN program is to advance a field or create new directions in research or education by supporting groups of investigators to communicate and coordinate their research, training and educational activities across disciplinary, organizational, geographic and international boundaries. The RCN program provides opportunities to foster new collaborations, including international partnerships, and address interdisciplinary topics. Innovative ideas for implementing novel networking strategies, collaborative technologies, training, broadening participation, and development of community standards for data and meta-data are especially encouraged. RCN awards are not meant to support existing networks; nor are they meant to support the activities of established collaborations RCN awards also do not support primary research. Rather, the RCN program supports the means by which investigators can share information and ideas, coordinate ongoing or planned research activities, foster synthesis and new collaborations, develop community standards, and in other ways advance science and education through communication and sharing of ideas.

The Communication for Improved Health Outcomes Activity (CIHOP) will complement the existing efforts by the Government of the Republic of Mozambique (GRM) and development partners to expand access and improve the quality of health services in Sofala. Social and behavior change communications (SBCC) interventions are essential for garnering community support and for addressing human behaviors that are requisite for maximizing the health impact of these health system advances. CIHOP will improve Mozambique's capacity to design, implement, and coordinate high-quality SBCC, allowing health promotion efforts to more effectively reduce morbidity and mortality caused by preventable diseases

We are pleased to announce three new Generation Rx requests for proposals, targeting four of the states that have been especially hard hit by the opioid epidemic: Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Please find brief details, downloadable RFPs, budget template and FAQs below. We invite you to review each of these grant opportunities, and apply for one or more to address the needs in your community. Prevention Education for Youth Best Practices in Pain Medication Use and Patient Engagement: Community-Level Response to the Opioid Crisis: The Cardinal Health Foundation has engaged content specialists to provide technical assistance to grantees and to create learning communities. We also anticipate convening grantees within the next 12 months for further learning.

Critical infrastructures are the mainstay of our nation's economy, security and health. These infrastructures are interdependent. They are linked to individual preferences and community needs. For example, the electrical power system depends on the delivery of fuels to power generating stations through transportation services, the production of those fuels depends in turn on the use of electrical power, and those fuels are needed by the transportation services. Social networks, interactions, and policies can enable or hinder the successful creation of resilient complex adaptive systems. The goals of the Critical Resilient Interdependent Infrastructure Systems and Processes (CRISP) solicitation are to: (1) foster an interdisciplinary research community of engineers, computer and computational scientists and social and behavioral scientists, that creates new approaches and engineering solutions for the design and operation of infrastructures as processes and services; (2) enhance the understanding and design of interdependent critical infrastructure systems (ICIs) and processes that provide essential goods and services despite disruptions and failures from any cause, natural, technological, or malicious; (3) create the knowledge for innovation in ICIs so that they safely, securely, and effectively expand the range of goods and services they enable; and (4) improve the effectiveness and efficiency with which they deliver existing goods and services.

Critical infrastructures are the mainstay of our nation's economy, security and health. These infrastructures are interdependent. They are linked to individual preferences and community needs. For example, the electrical power system depends on the delivery of fuels to power generating stations through transportation services, the production of those fuels depends in turn on the use of electrical power, and those fuels are needed by the transportation services. Social networks, interactions, and policies can enable or hinder the successful creation of resilient complex adaptive systems. The goals of the Critical Resilient Interdependent Infrastructure Systems and Processes (CRISP) solicitation are to: (1) foster an interdisciplinary research community of engineers, computer and computational scientists and social and behavioral scientists, that creates new approaches and engineering solutions for the design and operation of infrastructures as processes and services; (2) enhance the understanding and design of interdependent critical infrastructure systems (ICIs) and processes that provide essential goods and services despite disruptions and failures from any cause, natural, technological, or malicious; (3) create the knowledge for innovation in ICIs so that they safely, securely, and effectively expand the range of goods and services they enable; and (4) improve the effectiveness and efficiency with which they deliver existing goods and services.

NIJ is seeking rigorous research to evaluate promising practices and strategies that aim to promote effective management and supervision of offenders in both institutions and in the community. Specifically, NIJ is interested in receiving proposals for research and evaluation focused on: * Reducing violence and misconduct. * Provision of medical and mental health services. NIJ is particularly interested in receiving proposals addressing these topics in the context of jails, community corrections, and rural and tribal correctional systems. Every correctional setting has a unique operating environment and challenges. Yet jails, community corrections, and rural and tribal correction systems have received limited empirical attention relative to the number of jurisdictions they serve and the critical functions they provide in the delivery of correctional services. The research resulting from this solicitation supports the U.S. Department of Justice's priorities to reduce violent crime and to protect police and other public safety personnel.

The Organization for Autism Research is seeking pre-proposals for its 2018 Applied Research Competition. The annual program aims to promote innovative research that directly supports the autism community by expanding the body of knowledge related to autism intervention and treatment, producing practical and objective results, and providing outcomes that enhance the quality of life for persons with autism and their families. Preference will be given to the analysis, evaluation, or comparison of current models of assessment, intervention, or systems of service delivery, including policy analysis; applied aspects of educational, behavioral, or social/communicative intervention; effective intervention across the lifespan for individuals considered to be severely impacted by autism; adult issues such as continuing education, employment, residential supports, sexuality instruction, quality-of-life determinants, and "later intervention"; and issues related to family support, social and community integration, assessment and intervention with challenging behavior, and the use of technology in support of learners with ASD. In 2018, OAR will award grants of up to $30,000. Studies can range in duration from one to two years.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2018 Targeted Capacity Expansion Hispanic/Latino Center of Excellence for Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Program (Short Title: Hispanic/Latino COE). The purpose of this program is to provide support for a Hispanic/Latino Center of Excellence to develop and strengthen the specialized behavioral healthcare and primary healthcare workforce that provides substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and recovery support services to Hispanic/Latino populations. This is accomplished by accelerating the adoption and implementation of culturally appropriate, evidence-based and promising SUD treatment and recovery-oriented practices and services; heightening the awareness, knowledge, and skills of the workforce that addresses the needs of Hispanic/Latino communities with substance use or other co-occurring health disorders; and fostering regional and national alliances among culturally diverse practitioners, researchers, policy makers, funders, and the recovery community. The Hispanic/Latino COE recipient will work directly with SAMHSA and in collaboration with the FY 2017 Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) National Coordinating Center and the Regional ATTCs on activities aimed at improving the quality and effectiveness of treatment and recovery, as well as working directly with providers of clinical and recovery support services, and others that influence the delivery of services, to improve the quality of workforce training and service delivery to Hispanic/Latino communities.