School of Health Action Research Grants

School of Health Action Research Grants supports action based research that aligns with the mission of the School of Health. School of Health Action Research Grants require faculty-student collaborative research conducted in communities that experience poverty, homelessness, disease and/or disruption. Emphasis will also be given to research that involves community partners, whether in design, methodology or implementation. In all cases research results must be shared with community participants, who should be invited to design action plans based on the research outcomes.

The mission of the School of Health is to lead and influence health care and society through teaching, learning, research, service and community engagement.

Priority projects are those that are faculty/student collaborative research, conducted in the community AND do at least one of the following:

• Promote patterns of living that lead to intellectual, physical, emotional, social and spiritual well-being.
• Improve the health status of women worldwide.
• Improve the health status of refugee and immigrant populations.
• Address the healthcare industry workforce crises and/or promote a diverse workforce.
• Promote healthy aging.
• Contribute to the development of new healthcare strategies to extend access, improve outcomes, and reduce costs.
• Enhance interdisciplinary and inter-professional collaboration and deepen and extend meaningful partnerships.
• Advance innovative program development and seek to transform healthcare education.

The maximum award is $10,000 over a one-year period. The earliest possible start date is January 1, 2010. The Final Report will be due by January 30, 2011.

Deadlines: All applications and supporting materials must be completed and submitted via email to Glenna Whitmill (gmwhitmill@stkate.edu) in the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs by noon on October 30, 2009

Applicants will receive an email confirming the receipt of their application.

Eligibility: All St. Catherine University ranked faculty are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to faculty who have not previously received a School of Health Action Research Grant.

Questions? Please contact Kirsten Walters (651-690-8822) in the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs..

Application Instructions:



Cover Page and Budget Template:



Review Process: The School of Health Action Research Grant Committee will review applications. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application by mid-December.

Review Committee Members:

John Fleming	Occupational Sciences & Occupational Therapy
Carol Geisler	Holistic Health Studies - MA Program
Laura Gilchrist	Physical Therapy - Doctoral Program
Marcie Myers	Biology/Endowed Chair in the Sciences
David Schmit	Psychology
Alice Swan (non-voting; tie-breaker)	Acting Dean of the School of Health
Kirsten Walters (non-voting)	Office of Research & Sponsored Programs

Review Criteria: Proposals will be judged according to the following criteria:

1. Adherence to Guidelines: Does the proposal adhere to the grant guidelines? Does the application include all required components?

2. Strength of the Proposal: Is the proposal complete, well-developed and clearly written?

3. Specific Aims: Does the proposal contain a clearly stated idea or purpose for the project? What are the objectives of the specific research proposed?

4. Significance: What will be the effect of this research on the applicant’s field of study?

5. Approach: Is the methodology clear, grounded in the literature, and adequately developed? Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider potential solutions?

6. Investigator: Is the work proposed appropriate to the experience level of the principal investigator? What is the potential ability of the applicants to carry out the project based on evidence of previous work? Does the project contribute to the principal investigator’s professional development?

7. St. Catherine University Mission/Vision: To what extent does the project foster the excellence of the University and/or link to the mission and vision of St. Catherine University?

8. Dissemination: Is there a strong plan for public dissemination of results internally and externally?

9. Timeline: Can the project be completed within the time frame of the award?

10. Budget: Is the budget reasonable for the work proposed?

11. Student Research Experience (If applicable): Are there meaningful student research opportunities?

12. Human Subjects Protection (If applicable): Are plans in place to protect human subjects who may be engaged in the research? Has IRB approval been sought?