2021 Request for Applications for CICADA Scientists (for July 2022 to June 2023)

Applications have now closed.

Overview

Penn’s Center for Improving Care Delivery for the Aging (CICADA) is seeking applications for the 2021–2022 cohort of CICADA Scientists. In collaboration with Penn’s Leonard Davis Institute for Health Economics (LDI), CICADA seeks to enhance the diversity of the aging research workforce by mentoring promising scientists from under-represented backgrounds interested in a career focused on improving health care delivery for older adults, particularly minority older adults.

Up to three CICADA Scientists will be awarded $35,000 to conduct a 1-year research project and will receive mentoring and additional support for career development during the award period. See the CICADA webpage to learn about the full set of resources available to CICADA Scientists.

If you have any questions about the center or this RFA, please contact CICADA@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.

What is CICADA?

CICADA is Penn’s NIA-funded Resource Center for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR), a national program focused on enhancing the diversity of the aging research workforce by mentoring promising scientists from under-represented groups for sustained careers in aging research in priority areas of social, behavioral, and economic research on aging, and developing infrastructure to promote advances in these areas while simultaneously increasing the number of researchers focused on health disparities and the health and well-being of minority elders.

CICADA focuses on training aging-related researchers to address issues of care quality, access, affordability, and/or equity using the methods of health economics and health services research. Because CICADA is housed within LDI, CICADA Scientists benefit from the resources available through LDI’s extensive network of mentors and scholars, research infrastructure, and translation and dissemination support.

Who Should Apply?

Applications are being accepted from 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 3 years at time of application] who are underrepresented, based on the NIH’s Diversity Statement.

Trainees 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.

Resources Available to Awarded 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.

Focus of Research Projects

• 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 our 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).

Review Criteria for Pilot Projects

• Quality and rigor of proposed research
• Relatedness of proposed research to CICADA’s focus and use of LDI/CICADA data resources
• Likelihood that proposed research would lead to subsequent NIH-funded projects, particularly NIA-funded projects
• Credentials and promise of the investigator in aging-related research

Application Timeline

1. Applications are due December 10, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. ET, and can be submitted here.
2. Candidates will be notified if they have been selected by February 1, 2022. At that time successful applicants will be asked to supply supporting documents (including, but not limited to, IRB approval, human subjects training, enrollment reporting, and other requested materials).
3. For successful applicants, the full project proposals and supporting documents will be forwarded to the NIH/NIA for final approval by April 1, 2022.
4. Projects will start July 1, 2022.

Application Instructions and Required Documents

Applicants must complete and submit the following required documents by December 10, 2021:

• Complete the required online application form here.
• Upload the following required documents with the online application form:
  • Cover page including Project Title, Principal Investigator, Mentor(s), and Abstract (not to exceed 250 words)
    • Project Description (up to five pages, single-spaced, 11-point font minimum one-inch margins) which contains the following sections:
  • Aims and Significance (with specific hypotheses) (~1 page)
  • Research plan and methodology (~2.5 pages)
    • Should include a description of the data to be used or how the data will be collected; key variables and how they will be measured or defined; and an analysis plan.
  • Timeline for project completion (e.g., Gantt chart) (~0.5 pages)
  • How this proposal is related to CICADA’s focus (~1 page)
    • How this project is related to CICADA’s research focus on focused on improving health care delivery for older adults, particularly minority older adults
    • How this pilot project will inform the applicant’s future research and how it will lead to larger funding by the NIH/NIA or another agency
    • A description of the applicant including career objectives and how CICADA support would help achieve those objectives
    • Proposed mentor(s) and a statement about their involvement and the role they will play in conducting the pilot project and supporting the applicant’s career objectives. Applicants without mentors who have a potential project should contact CICADA CICADA@pennmedicine.upenn.edu for assistance in identifying a mentor in advance of the application deadline
      • Project Budget
        • Proposals must include an itemized budget of up to $35,000.
        • An accompanying budget justification should clearly describe and justify the specific items to be funded by the grant.
        • A budget template can be accessed here.
      • Applicant’s current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
      • Biosketches for all Mentors, and/or senior key personnel. The current approved NIH Biosketch is required. Additional information is available here.

Please contact CICADA@pennmedicine.upenn.edu with any questions.