Community Health: Assessment and Improvement Measures Program

The Mayo Clinic Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCaTS) supports research projects that address community health priorities.

Requests for applications have been issued for these two-year Community Health: Assessment and Improvement Measures Program (CHAMP) awards:

  • CHAMP Research Awards. CHAMP Research Awards support research projects that partner with the community to address health priorities. Awards cover up to $75,000 in direct costs plus indirect costs. Eligibility, funding and application information for CHAMP Research Awards is provided below.
  • CHAMP Partnership Development Awards. CHAMP Partnership Development Awards support community-academic partnership development aimed at conducting research to address community health priorities. Awards cover up to $22,500 in direct costs plus indirect costs. Learn more about the CHAMP Partnership Development Award.

CHAMP Research Award

Projects at all stages of the clinical and translational science spectrum are encouraged. Research projects should engage interested parties, such as community or patient representatives, in all phases of the research, including dissemination and implementation. Projects are encouraged to use the Community Engagement Studios to further community engagement in the project. Projects should describe how findings will directly lead to improvements in community health. In addition, the potential for future extramural support of further research should be described.

Proposals should directly involve work in the community and include community partners. Examples include proposals involving:

  • Developing new and sustainable community health interventions with community partners.
  • Implementing and disseminating new tools and programs of proven efficacy.
  • Addressing barriers to implementation of effective therapies among groups affected by health inequities.
  • Focusing on priorities or strengthening the evidence base of health conditions outlined in Community Health Needs Assessments of the applicant's county.
  • Identifying community barriers or solutions to the care of complex or serious medical conditions.

Such projects should describe methods of engaging the community in project design, implementation and dissemination.

Key project goals should include measurable improvements in community health and long-term sustainability — for example, the potential for future extramural support of further research or ongoing implementation.

The purpose of the two-year award is to allow phased establishment of partnerships and infrastructure (year 1) and completion of the research objectives (year 2). During year 1, the investigators may request to work closely with CCaTS Community Engagement staff.

The goal is that by the end of the two-year project period, the community-academic research team would be ready to submit the project for funding either through another institutional research award or extramurally.