Center for Improving Care Delivery for the Aging (CICADA)

About the Program

The Center for Improving Care Delivery for the Aging (CICADA) is one of a national network of 18 Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR) funded by the National Institute of Aging (NIA). CICADA focuses on the discipline of health services research and on the organization, financing, and delivery of health care for older adults.

The essential goal of RCMAR is to recruit, mentor, and develop individuals from underrepresented backgrounds into accomplished, independent research scientists. This process begins with pilot research projects RCMAR Scientists undertake with guidance from their mentors. Since its founding 21 years ago, more than 400 research scholars have come through the RCMAR program, most going on to academic research careers.

Leadership and Staff

Rachel M. Werner, MD, PhD, CICADA Co-Director, Administrative Core Co-Director
Allison Willis, MD, MS, CICADA Co-Director, Administrative Core Co-Director
Julie Szymaszek, MA, CICADA, Administrative Director
Meghan Lane-Fall, MD, MSHP, CICADA Research Education Component Co-Director
Mary Naylor, PhD, RN, FAAN, CICADA Research Education Component Co-Director
Norma Coe, PhD, CICADA Analysis Core Co-Director
Rebecca Hubbard, PhD, CICADA Analysis Core Co-Director

How to Apply

CICADA selects three new RCMAR Scientists each year through a competitive call for 1-year pilot grants. The 2021 application season begins on October 1, 2021. Applications are due December 10, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Successful applicants will be notified of funding by February 1, 2022, with funding to begin July 1, 2022.

See Call for Applications

FAQ

Who is Eligible to Apply to Become a CICADA Scientist?

Applicants must be post-doctoral researchers and junior faculty who are underrepresented in research. This includes (1) MD and MD/PhD clinical fellows who have completed their residency; (2) PhD postdoctoral trainees; and (3) MD/PhD, MD, and PhD junior faculty [instructors or assistant professor for less than three years at time of application] who are underrepresented, based on the NIH’s Diversity Statement.

Applicants must be committed to developing new research skills in health services research focused on aging. Applicants can be affiliated with any U.S. university and is not limited to those with Penn affiliations.

What is the focus of CICADA pilot project?

Support will be given for pilot research projects that are focused on issues of health care quality, access, affordability, and/or equity for older adults using the methods of health economics or health services research.
Projects that leverage the data in available through LDI and CICADA’s Analysis Core will be given priority. More details on these resources are available online.
The proposed project should lead to publication of at least one first-authored, peer-reviewed manuscript. Priority will be given to projects that will lead to subsequent funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), particularly the National Institute on Aging (NIA).

What Resources are available to CICADA Scientists?

Funding of up to $35,000 to complete a one-year research project
- Research funds can support salary, research expenses, travel, equipment, and/or supplies as appropriate to the project.
- Any sub-contracts for work conducted outside of the PI’s home institution (including indirects; the indirect rate for this funding mechanism is 8%) must be included in the budgeted amount.
Mentoring, including:
- Standardized mentoring protocols, including goal setting and group mentoring meetings, as well as personnel and collaborator management
- Professional development, including job talk or presentation preparation
CICADA-specific programming, including:
- Monthly seminars from CICADA’s expert faculty, including statistical analyses plans, effective presentations, and data management
- Works in Progress meetings to discuss research findings
- Academic and professional networking opportunities
- Grant-writing resources
- Research award administration and research project management
Appointment to Penn LDI as a Fellow, including all resources available to LDI Fellows.