| Purpose: | This RFA is an open call for time-sensitive projects germane to the process or outcomes of existing or impending environmental and policy evaluations and/or changes (“natural experiments”). The JHGCCO seeks to jumpstart systems-oriented childhood obesity research in a rapidly-changing physical or policy environment by supporting opportune pilot and feasibility projects with timelines that would not allow funding through the regular NIH review cycles. The overall concepts for proposed projects should use a systems science framework. Support from this RFA will enable researchers to more successfully compete for additional funding at the NIH or elsewhere to collect follow-up data and complete the evaluation of policy and/or environmental changes relevant to the prevention of childhood obesity using a systems-oriented approach.
In general, JHGCCO is interested in supporting novel, rigorous projects that utilize systems science concepts and framework, but not necessarily system science models or analyses, to understand the environmental mechanisms driving childhood obesity, and can lead to the development or confirmation of effective interventions to prevent or reduce childhood obesity, e.g., effects or potential effects of existing or impending policy, system, and/or environmental changes— (e.g., schools, homes, food and dining outlets, health care settings, community-based organizations)—on children’s diet, physical activity, energy balance, and weight status. |
| Receipt Date: | A Study Concept Summary is due on February 14, 2013, and invited full proposals are due on March 18, 2013. |
| Total Awards: | Up to 3 projects this round, each up to $30,000 total costs, will be funded. |
| Eligibility: | Proposals are welcomed from investigators with diverse backgrounds and at varying career levels worldwide. Investigators must be affiliated with a university, agency, or research center that meets the same eligibility criteria that apply to NIH funding. See http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HD-10-001.html. Junior investigators worldwide are strongly encouraged to apply. |
| Link: | http://www.jhgcco.org/announcement_20130118.html |
