WORDOUT Community Research Dissemination Challenge

Overview

The Community PARTners Core at the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) is now accepting applications for the WORDOUT Community Research Dissemination Challenge. WORDOUT is an exciting program that matches researchers from the University of Pittsburgh with local community organizations to help get the "word out" about the latest in research dissemination. We are once again matching community organizations with researchers to work together to both share lived experiences of folks in the community, and think about creative ways to disseminate research. The WORDOUT Community Research Dissemination Challenge will award multiple grants from $3,000 up to $5,000.

BONUS: Up to $2,500 will also be available to projects that specifically frame the dissemination through a health equity lens - how is your organization and the research working to achieve equity?

Who: Community organizations and University of Pittsburgh researchers

When: This application period is now active; submissions for the first round are due on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, by 4 p.m. 

Why Apply to WORDOUT?

Researchers:

• Research findings - from bench to bedside - can take up to 17 years to reach communities. This is too long!
• Opportunity to create deeper connections to the community in which you conduct your research.
• Have a pipeline for recruitment efforts and dissemination around your work.
• Learn best practices for working in and with communities in which your research aligns.
• Funds provided to create creative and useful ways to disseminate research.
• Hands on assistance from the CTSI Community PARTners core.

Community Organizations:

• Research findings - from bench to bedside - can take up to 17 years to reach communities. This is too long! Through research dissemination, community organizations can hear about the latest research and best practices that affect the health of the people the organization serves. This understanding can encourage people to make the best decisions about their health, and build healthier communities.
• Serve as the expert teaching researchers who work in your community - use your knowledge to leverage the researcher’s reach and scope - making outcomes that much more relevant in your community.
• Funds provided to create creative and useful ways to disseminate research through your organization - applying the mission and activities that you already perform to direct the process of getting the word out.
• Hands on assistance from the CTSI Community PARTners core.

How to Apply

Round One Submission: 

Initial Matchmaking. Create a one-minute video using the prompts below, and include an accompanying one-page document that provides additional background on the prompts below. The one-page document can include any information that you feel will help to build your profile. Upload the video and one page document through the Powered By Pinch website; please combine the files in a zipped folder, please do not submit the two items separately. The submission period will be open until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30.

If you are a RESEARCHER, please provide:

• Who are you?
• What does your research focus on?
• What kinds of organizations are you looking to partner with?
• OPTIONAL: Bonus round (add 30 seconds to the video): How are you advancing health equity in your work?

If you work for a COMMUNITY organization, please provide:

• Who are you, and please tell us about your organization.
• Who is your target audience for this grant?
• Name the top three health issues in your community.
• OPTIONAL: Bonus round (add 30 seconds to the video): How does your organization address issues of access?

Round One Review and Matchmaking:

CTSI staff will match a researcher to a community organization. Based on the one-minute video and one-page document submission by the community organization leadership and researchers, a match of intersecting interests will take place. The matched duos will be notified on November 20, 2019, and will have until January 09, 2020 by 4 pm to complete Round II of the competition.

Round Two Submission:

The matched duo will create a PowerPoint with audio. It will be up to the pair to get together to plan and submit for round two. Your WORDOUT 7-minute proposal PowerPoint should provide a clear plan for how you will involve and educate your community about working with a researcher and how to engage in research. If you are applying for the bonus award, please add no more than 2-minutes to your PowerPoint. Be sure to include slides that describe your community; why working to make researchers and research more diverse and inclusive is important to your community, how you will engage and share this information in your community, and how you plan to use the grant funds. We also ask matched pairs to submit a proposed budget. Final submissions are due on January 09, 2020 by 4 p.m.

Round Two Reviews:

Academic and community reviewers will review all proposals and select the top entries from the final round. The criteria used to review the projects includes:

• Importance/impact of the research for your community
• Creativity/innovation of the research dissemination strategy
• Feasibility of the proposed strategy

Awards will be announced on January 30, 2020.

Next Steps for Awardees

• Call with CTSI staff to finalize contract between February 1, 2020 - March 1, 2020
• Grant work can begin on April 1, 2020.
• Attend two mandatory workshops with CTSI between April 1, 2020 and no later than August 1, 2020
• Conduct your WORDOUT grant activities on or before May 31, 2021
• Interim report due at the halfway point in your project
• Final report due no later than May 31, 2021 

Questions and Contact

For further information or help with any questions, please contact RaNaja Kennedy, Community Engagement Facilitator.

RaNaja Kennedy
Community Engagement Facilitator
E-mail: RCK30@pitt.edu