Call for Projects
The APRN aims to conduct an annual Multi-Topic survey in addition to endorsing 1 or more new research projects per year. We anticipate that some APRN projects will be suitable for advanced trainee research and larger projects may require applications for competitive external funding. APRN members are encouraged to express interest in becoming part of, or forming, a research team for upcoming APRN projects.
The APRN invites proposals for new research from network members.
There are two categories of research proposals:
1. Multi-Topic Survey
The Multi-Topic survey is an amalgamation of several short surveys on important member-nominated topics into a single omnibus Survey. This helps streamline your workload, and advance planning for several new research projects simultaneously. The survey should generate early APRN publications from a broad membership base, so that the APRN has ‘runs on the board’ to help secure ongoing funding – while larger research projects are being developed. We will select up to 4 topic areas, with each allocated 1-1.5 pages of the larger omnibus survey. Applications for the next Multi-Topic Survey round close Thursday 30th June 2011.
2. New Research Projects
Many project designs are possible within the APRN, e.g. longitudinal data collection, referring patients for randomised controlled trials (RCTs), patient contact audit etc.
Endorsement will be based, in the first instance, on a project’s relevance to the top research priorities generated by the 2007 Delphi process, and a project’s feasibility for study by members of the APRN, as determined by the 2008 Children Attending Paediatricians Study (CAPS). Research proposals which do not fall into these broad priority areas will also be considered if they are demonstrably compatible with the Network’s aims, and fit within APRN criteria. The APRN aims to endorse as many projects investigating common problems seen by paediatricians as possible. [Please note that the APRN cannot provide funding for projects!]. Expressions of Interest (EOIs) can be submitted at any time during the year, but will be formally reviewed annually in August.
Application process
Applicants should go to Research Proposals for more information and to download the Proposal for a New Research Project proforma. Please submit an electronic version of the proposal (in one MS Word document) to aprn.paeds@rch.org.au.