Community Research Van

Application

Release date: 16 February 2015

The University of Minnesota Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) Office of Community Engagement to Advance Research and Community Health (CEARCH) announces the 2015 Community Research Van (the Van). The Van is available to support research and evaluation projects that address important human health issues in the TwinCities metro area and rural communities within Minnesota and the neighboring five states.

VAN DESCRIPTION AND AVAILABLE EQUIPMENT

The Van is a 2007 Wi-Fi-enabled GMC Savana Cutaway Cargo Van with dimensions of ~8 ft wide, 11 ft high, and 28 ft long. It includes a gas-powered generator and two 3-pronged external power ports for powering the equipment in the van. It includes the following equipment available to researchers:

  • seca body weight and height scale
  • Finger-stick blood sampling equipment (e.g. for blood sugar or cholesterol tests)
  • Automated blood pressure machine
  • Stair-stepper and heart-rate monitoring

Note: Additional space is available to accommodate a stationary bike or small treadmill

  • Laptop with 4G modem to conduct surveys as well as enter and store data
  • Overhead ventilation
  • Thermostat to regulate temperature in the van
  • Private space for data collection and one-on-one interviews (includes table and chairs)

ELIGIBILITY

Applications will be accepted from UMN investigators or UMN/community organization collaborations. Junior investigators are encouraged to apply. Applications that generate new partnerships or expand existing ones are strongly encouraged. Upon request, CTSI community engagement staff will facilitate partnerships between UMN investigators and community organizations. Requests for community-University matching services should be directed .

RESEARCH SCOPE

Given the nature of the Van, projects involving non-invasive and relatively brief study procedures will be most appropriate. Even with these constraints, the Van provides a large range of research possibilities: biomedical research (including biospecimen collection), behavioral and social health issues, and research designed to either implement education strategies or determine health care needs and disparities. The Van could even be used to recruit and screen potential participants for eligibility in more involved studies at the UMN or elsewhere.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Research projects must be interactive with the public, involving human subjects by collecting data through surveys, focus groups, biospecimens, anthropometric measurements, or other similar means.

Projects should:

  1. Be designed to lead to publishable results.
  2. Have the potential to significantly impact individual and population health in a concrete and tangible way.
  3. Hold the promise of securing external grant support in order to develop long-term research and evaluation projects.

Successful applicants will:

  1. Clearly state the significance and impact of the selected issue on the health of individuals and populations.
  2. Propose a realistic project plan including aims, study design, sample selection, and evaluation.
  3. Describe the specific needs for the mobile infrastructure and its resources (complete attached checklist).
  4. Propose appropriate data collection methods and analysis of quantitative and/or qualitative measures.
  5. Describe plans to disseminate study findings to study participants, stakeholders, community members or other relevant audiences.
  6. Outline a plan for continuing the research beyond the pilot grant phase, including seeking external funding (i.e. NIH, HRSA, CDC, AHRQ, or national/local foundations).
  7. Include letters of support/collaboration if appropriate.

Applications for the use of the Van for new or existing research will be considered on a rolling basis, with no set deadline or timeline.

Use of the Van is contingent on IRB approval, identification of a suitable driver, and all other necessary training, certification and orientation.Please note: IRB approval is not required prior to submitting an application for van use.

APPLICATION SUBMISSION

The project narrative, not to exceed three pages, font size 11 or 12, single spaced, should address the following:

  1. What health issue or priority is this project proposing to address?
  2. What is the significance and relevance of the health issue to communities in Minnesota?
  3. Why is the Van needed for the particular research study that is being proposed?
  4. A brief description of the research plan including project design, study population, data collection and analysis methods, and dissemination plan.
  5. A plan for continuing the research beyond the pilot phase.

Submit the completed Van Application including the project checklist, project narrative, and any letters of collaboration and support as a single PDF document to .

REVIEW TIMELINE

Applications will be reviewed within four weeks of submission.

QUESTIONS

Questions can be directed to or Sarah Rydell at 612-625-1017.