Emma Eccles Jones Nursing Research Center

Frequently Asked Questions

The purpose of this page is to acquaint you with the services available for getting started with research projects in the College of Nursing.

I am interested in developing a research study, how do I get started?

Research projects typically require some level of funding to assist with the project, staff, equipment and other costs. There are several sources for start-up funds. First consider pilot funds from:

  • The College of Nursing Research Committee

The application is available on the College of Nursing web site. Funding may be requested for up to $5,000. After submission the review process can take 2 weeks to one month.

  • The U of U Research Committee

Faculty Research and Creative Grants have three submission cycles per year. Deadlines are 5:00 PM August 15th, November 15th, and February 15th. The maximum grant is $6,000. Must be regular or research faculty to apply. The application and further information is available at http://www.research.utah.edu/funding/urc/.

  • U of U Research Foundation Funding Incentive Seed Grant Program

The two submission deadlines are February 15th and August 15th each year. The emphasis is on developing new research directions that, when initiated through this program, can produce new funding opportunities from major sponsors of research. The maximum award available is $35,000. The application and more information is available at http://www.research.utah.edu/funding/seed.html

  • Professional societies or small foundation grants may also be a source. Amounts vary from $2,000 to $50,000.

I now have pilot work completed and I'm ready to pursue a larger study. How do I find funding that will support a larger research project?

  • Most agencies have information on the World Wide Web about their research grants funding. The University of Utah subscribes to two clearinghouses for all major federal and foundation funding. (Community of Science [COS] and Grant Resource Center [GRC]) You may access these from your University based computer.
  • Cathy Osborne also is an excellent resource for information about federal guidelines for submission, deadlines, and forms. She can be reached at 801-587-9196.

I need an up to date literature search to include in my research grant or for developing a publication. Where can I get help with literature searches and article retrieval?

The Research Assistant at Large (RAL):

  • Can do literature searches and/or article retrieval
  • Works part-time, usually can provide one week turn around time
  • Will copy articles available in Eccles Health Sciences Library with the charges paid by the Office of Research
  • Forms to request RAL services are available on line at http://nursing.utah.edu/research/request_for_ral_support.pdf.  Turn the form in to Diane Ballard.
  • If articles are not available at Eccles Library they can be ordered but a charge will be incurred.
  • If you would like to know more about efficient literature searches, classes can be arranged through Eccles Library.

I am writing a research proposal for a specific grant. What and who are available to help me with the grant?

  • General Support

As soon as you know you are going to apply for a grant please contact the Associate Dean for Research and fill out the Extra-Intramural Grant Planning Forms I and II (orange and green forms). Then contact Cathy Osborne to assist with the paperwork, process, requirements and timeframe. Cathy can be reached at 801-587-9196. She can assist with access to electronic forms for the University of Utah and funding agencies, formatting, word-processing and interfacing the grant process with the University of Utah Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP). A research grant cannot be sent directly to the granting agency. It must be processed through the College of Nursing Office of Research & Scholarship and then the University of Utah Office of Sponsored Projects after sign off by the Dean of the College of Nursing.

  • Budget Preparation

The Associate Dean for Research will provide guidance concerning items and areas to include in the budget and must review and approve the budget before it is forwarded for signature. Cathy Osborne can assist with specific budget preparation including finding specific costs for personnel, equipment and supplies, etc. The Office of Research & Scholarship has developed budget templates and spreadsheets to facilitate this process. These are available from Cathy.

  • Mailing to Funding Agency

Federal grants such as NIH and HRSA are now required to be submitted electronically. If the agency requires a hard copy to be mailed, the College of Nursing will pay for the courier service to send the grant to the agency. If it is during normal business hours Cathy Osborne will take the grant to the University FedEx pick-up point. If it is after normal business hours the faculty will take their own package to a courier for overnight delivery. Location and operation hours of courier services in the Salt Lake Valley are available from Diane Ballard.

I need to get Human Subjects approval for my study. Where can I get help with my IRB submission?

IRB paperwork for NIH grants do not have to be submitted until after you have been reviewed and you¿ve been notified you are going to receive funding. For any other granting agency be sure to check and see if they require IRB approval at the time of submission or after funding.

  • IRB proposals are submitted electronically through the ERICA system. It can be accessed through the website http://www.research.utah.edu/irb/.
  • The deadlines for IRB submission are each Monday by noon.
  • The IRB review process, whether it is minimal risk or not, can take 6-8 weeks or longer if revisions are required. Plan accordingly.
  • Cancer related proposals must also have CCIC approval. The CCIC deadline for submission is the 15th of each month. This is also done through the Erica system at http://www.research.utah.edu/irb/.
  • University faculty, staff, students, post-doctoral fellows, technicians, research nurses, study coordinators, and anyone else involved in conducting research at the University of Utah are required to have completed an educational program on risk protection, confidentiality, and informed consent in human subjects and have a certificate of completion on file in the IRB office in order to conduct research at the University of Utah. This CITI training can be accessed on the website: http://www.research.utah.edu/irb/.
    Please print a copy of the CITI Course Completion Record and give it to Diane Ballard.

My study involves quantitative analysis. Where can I get help with the statistics?

  • Generally, Bob Wong or Gary Donaldson will assist faculty with development and implementation of externally funded studies and Marge Pett will assist with intramural projects and student needs.
  • Whenever submitting for external funding be sure that adequate funds for statistical support (both statistician and data analyst/programmer) are included in the grant so that this resource can be extended.

Before I submit my grant I would like someone else to read my grant. Who can critique my grant prior to submission?

  • Ginny Pepper, Associate Dean for Research and Scholarship, is always available to review. Let her know ahead of time. Schedule permitting she will try to give you a turn around time of 36 hours.
  • You may also request the Office of Research to pull together an ad hoc review group. Submit your request to Ginny Pepper at the earliest possible date. Plan for reviewers to have at least one week before they give comments back.

Comments can be given individually or the reviewers can meet as a group and give you the results of their review.

Hooray, my external grant is funded! What help is there to get the study going and oversee its administration?

  • Terri Pianka serves as Manager of Grants & Contracts. The following services are available:
    • Screening applicants for grant staff positions
    • Monitoring and interpreting budgets; meet monthly with PI to review budget
    • Facilitating grant related equipment/supplies purchasing
    • Designing grants management forms
    • Initial training of research staff
    • Support in preparing for an audit of the grant should one be requested by the IRB, funding source, or accounting.

I am ready to publish or submit an abstract or paper or presentation of my research findings or scholarly paper. What support is available from the College?

  • Cathy Osborne provides word processing and formatting support for publications. She is also skilled in formatting tables and figures.
  • Ginny Pepper is available to review publications and abstracts before submission. You can also request a group of faculty to review your work prior to submission.
  • For upcoming conferences for potential submission you can see the Office of Research monthly e-mails and bulletin board for abstract deadlines.
  • If sufficient faculty are interested a seminar topic on abstracts or writing for publication can be offered. Contact Diane Ballard if you are interested.
  • Once your article is published please give a copy to Diane Ballard for posting so we can share your accomplishments with everyone.

My abstract was accepted for presentation. Now what help is available?

  • If your abstract has been selected for poster presentation and you would like help with how to put your presentation into poster form, Ginny Pepper will help you design your content. Once the content is developed email it to Kerry McKinney. She will print the poster. A minimum of two weeks is needed for this process. The College will pay the cost of the poster materials.
  • If you have grant funds or development accounts these should be used first for travel funding before requesting College funds in order to stretch this resource. Please note that limited funds are available. A form is available from the division secretaries to request travel support.

How does the Office of Research support your graduate student's research activity?

  • There are limited resources for students. Be sure you check to see if a resource is available before you send a student.
  • All project, theses and dissertations that involve Human Subjects require IRB approval before they can be implemented.
  • Students must develop their own IRB proposals, which must be signed off by their chair or sponsoring faculty person. Your sign off means you have reviewed the proposal and it meets all IRB criteria. IRB proposals can only be submitted after the committee has met and approved the proposal.
  • Please note the requirements for IRB training. If you are supervising projects/research using human subjects, you and your students must have CITI Course Completion Record on file in the IRB office.
  • Doctoral students planning to submit individual NRSA applications can receive support from Cathy Osborne in developing the application forms, formatting, word processing, and interfacing with the University of Utah Graduate School.
  • The College of Nursing does not have statistical support for graduate student projects beyond brief consultation and the effort of members of the official Supervisory Committee.  If students need assistance with data entry, data analysis, and analytical interpretation beyond that which their coursework prepares them for, the Research Center will provide names of independent contractors that students can hire for assistance.  It is the student's responsibility to assure that the assistance is appropriately acknowledged according to academic standards.

Is there on going training and information about services available through the Office of Research?

Yes, we can schedule and arrange in response to faculty requests.

If you want to offer to give or request a specific seminar let us know. Graduate students are also invited.

We are here to help you be successful with your research and scholarly projects. Please let us know how we are doing and what other support you need.