Any pharmacist or investigator is eligible to submit an application to receive funding for research related to the impact of pharmacist board certification.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2023 

The total available funding is $5,000 per grant award to be used over 24 months (November 2023 – November 2025). Award funds may be used for salary support of technical or support personnel but must not be used as salary support for the investigators.

Please carefully read these instructions before submitting the application! The application must contain the 5 following sections:

1. Cover sheet 

The principal investigator and all co-investigators must sign a cover sheet to indicate their approval and agreement to participate in the project. If institutional review board (IRB) submission or review is required, evidence of IRB approval must be provided before funding can be disbursed.

2. Abstract

A brief description and specific aims of the proposed project (no more than 1 page).

3. Key personnel form

Please note that the “Role on Project” should be a short title (e.g., co-investigator, consultant). Explain the role and qualifications (if applicable) of all individuals involved with the project.

4. Budget 

The total award is for direct costs related to research, with the caveat that funding may not be used for institutional overhead, salary support for investigators, or equipment expenditures. Please justify all budget items. If the award will provide only partial support for the project’s total budget, state specifically how the balance will be funded and provide evidence of its guaranteed availability. Any funds remaining at the end of the 24-month period shall be refunded to BPS.

5. Research plan

1. 1. Introduction: include the introduction, study question, and specific aims. Discuss the rationale for the project.
   2. Background and significance: discuss the existing knowledge base, identify gaps this project might fill and discuss the significance of the project.
   3. Research methods:
      1. Experimental design, including rationale
      2. Study population, including detailed description of data sources or recruitment strategy
      3. Data collection procedure, including survey instrument or outcome variables, if applicable
      4. Data analysis plan
      5. Plan for dissemination of results
   4. Timeline: provide a detailed timeline for project completion. Include dates by which key study milestones will be completed.
   5. References: Include a bibliography of cited references.
   6. Format: at least 11-point font (figures/tables may use smaller font), at least 0.5 inch margins, and no longer than 12 pages total.

Significance (20%):

* Does the proposal align with the goal of the funding, which is to evaluate impact and/or value of pharmacist board certification?

* Is there a critical evaluation of existing knowledge and are gaps in knowledge identified which the project is intended to fill?

Approach (20%):

* Does the proposed project appropriately describe the methods and analyses used to accomplish the specific aims?

* Are potential problems, alternative approaches, and/or benchmarks for success described?

Investigators (20%):

* Are the investigators appropriately qualified and experienced to conduct the project?

* Does the research team have access to appropriate consultants (e.g. data analysis, biostatistics)?

Feasibility (20%):

* Does the research team have the necessary institutional support to carry out this project?

* Can the project aims be accomplished during the funding period?

Budget (20%):

* Is the budget matched to the resource requirements to complete the project?

* Does the budget aim to use funds for travel expenses and/or meeting registrations or research resources?

* If the grant will provide only partial support for the project’s total budget or any personnel, has the investigator stated specifically, how the balance will be funded and provided evidence of its guaranteed availability?

(NOTE: salary support is restricted to technical or support personnel, and is not to be used for support of the investigators).

By accepting this award, the grantees agree to undertake all reasonable efforts to complete the project and take responsibility for fulfilling the terms described within the award letter. If, for any reason, the grantee is unable to complete the project, BPS shall be informed in writing as soon as possible, including a justification and report of the activities completed up to that point.

The grant period of activity will begin upon funding distribution by BPS (and IRB approval, if applicable) and will expire 24 months after disbursement of the funds. Grantees are expected to adhere to the timeline above. Use of the funds should match the proposed budget. Any updates to the proposed budget must be requested by email to Ellie LaNou (ELaNou@aphanet.org) prior to change. Remaining unused funds shall be returned to BPS at the end of the grant period, while overexpenditure is the responsibility of the investigators.

BPS shall be notified of any publications and/or presentations resulting from work. Publications and/or presentations shall acknowledge BPS funding support.

DURING THE FUNDING PERIOD, GRANTEES WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ELECTRONIC COPIES OF THE FOLLOWING: