I-CARE Program Funding Overview
The I-CARE Program mission is to innovate health care by developing, implementing, evaluating, and disseminating evidence-based clinical practices that improve the quality and value of care for patients with chronic diseases. To support this mission, we provide pilot funding to the following individuals who are a part of University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division (BSD) and Medical Center:
- Students, trainees, frontline clinical staff, clinicians, and researchers new to the field of implementation science and/or quality improvement
- Established clinicians and researchers already engaged in implementation science and/or quality improvement for projects that are distinct from ongoing funded research projects/programs
- Established clinicians and researchers in other areas of expertise who wish to conduct implementation science research and/or quality improvement
We invite applications for collaborative and interdisciplinary/inter-professional pilot projects focused on implementation science and related fields, including quality improvement science, dissemination science, healthcare delivery, healthcare systems, as well as human-centered design and human factors research.
Funding Levels
Individuals seeking funding may apply for a Mini, Small Seed, or Large Seed grant based on eligibility detailed below. Individuals and project teams are permitted to submit only one proposal during each grant cycle. Applications are submitted to REDCap for both Mini Grants and Seed Grants.
| Funding Opportunity | Funding Amount | Funding Purpose | Eligible Applicants | Grants Awarded per Cycle | Grant Cycle* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Grant | Up to $5,000 | Supports various costs of new pilot projects (e.g., costs related to statistical analysis, travel, equipment, participant incentives, dissemination) | Students; Trainees; Clinical staff; Early career researchers** | Varies | Applications reviewed quarterly* |
| Small Seed Grant | Up to $10,000 | Supports research-related costs of local-level (UCM/Chicago area) small to medium sized implementation science and quality improvement projects | Trainees; Clinical staff; Researchers at any career stage | Up to 5 | Annual* |
| Large Seed Grant | Up to $25,000 | Supports research-related costs of local-level (UCM/Chicago area) large sized implementation science and quality improvement projects | Trainees; Clinical staff; Researchers at any career stage | 0-1 | Annual* |
| *Check website for submission deadlines; **Early career researchers include Clinical Associate; Instructor; Assistant Professor | |||||
Eligibility Criteria
University of Chicago (Biological Sciences Division or Medical Center) students, trainees, frontline clinical staff, and early-career clinicians and researchers associated may apply for Mini Grants. University of Chicago frontline clinical staff, clinicians, and researchers at any career stage may apply for Small/Large Seed grants.
Ethical Approval: All applications involving human subject research or requiring quality improvement determination must include a faculty or staff member who will serve as a Principal Investigator (PI) or project supervisor, respectively; click here for more details on PI eligibility. Individuals who do not have the appropriate faculty appointment and/or PI status to serve as a PI may collaborate with a faculty member (sponsor) to apply for a Mini, Small Seed, or Large Seed Grant. If needed, the I-CARE Program can assist with identifying the right sponsor for their project.
All funded projects must have IRB approval, QI determination, or equivalent ethical approval before funded can be awarded. We highly recommend submitting your proposed project for ethical approval before or at the time of submitting the I-CARE Program funding proposal to avoid funding/funding determination delays.
For more information contact us at: ICAREProgram@bsd.uchicago.edu