Special Emphasis Limited Project Grant: Colorectal Surgery and Health Equity

The Special Emphasis Limited Project Grant from the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons aims to address health disparities in colorectal surgery. It focuses on improving care for racial/ethnic minorities, women, LGBTQ+ populations, and individuals with disabilities. Proposals should concentrate on patient-oriented interventions and may explore quality improvement, access to services, and enhancing workforce diversity. Funding of up to $20,000 is available for innovative projects that promote equity in colorectal healthcare.

Note: If the grant application deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, applications will be accepted the following business day. Please note: The Research Foundation of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons will not accept proposals submitted after the deadline.
The primary mission of the Research Foundation of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons is to raise and award funds to support research and educational programs related to colon and rectal diseases. Over more than twenty years, the Research Foundation has awarded over $6 million to colorectal surgeons and researchers to investigate a broad spectrum of colorectal diseases and to develop novel surgical techniques pertinent to the care of colorectal patients. Your donations support research and educational programs related to colon and rectal disease.
Special Emphasis Limited Project Grant: Colorectal Surgery and Health Equity
Improving the health of all patients with colorectal diseases is core to the mission of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Research Foundation. Within the US, disparities exist in health care delivery, including the management and outcomes of colorectal diseases. Additionally, opportunities exist to diversify the colorectal surgery workforce (surgeons and nurse practitioners) to align more appropriately with the populations that we care for.
This special call aims to advance our knowledge in reducing disparities in the care and outcomes of the racial/ethnic minorities, women, LGTBQ+ populations and those living with disability who have colorectal conditions. Therefore, we are seeking proposals that aim to improve equity in colorectal surgery via pilot patient-oriented interventions conducted in real-world environments. The proposal is strongly encouraged to include patient-facing work in the environment where you practice.
Possible areas of focus include:
Quality improvement efforts focused on improving the experience and outcomes for colorectal surgery patients with limited health literacy, limited English proficiency, or from historically marginalized groups.Areas of focus might include improving prevention and screening, evidence-based surgical care processes or outcomes along the five phases of surgical care as defined by the American College of Surgeons, and/or longitudinal surveillance past the 90-day window (e.g. - survivorship).  Community-based projects to create awareness and action around colorectal diseases.Improving access and/or outcomes to colorectal services in areas where it is not readily available e.g. in safety net hospitals and/or rural hospitals.Enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the colorectal care team workforce.Supplemental funds to current grants/contracts addressing issues related to DEI.Projects focused on exploring/overcoming barriers to the accrual of traditionally underrepresented patient groups to clinical trials and other research studies.
Funding
Up to $20,000 for 1 year.LPG need not be given every year.LPG award may be funded in whole or in part.No consortium/contractual arrangements will be allowed with collaborating organizations.Salary support for the Primary Investigator is not permitted.LPG funding is limited to “Direct Cost Only” budgets. Additional indirect costs will not be approved.

Eligibility

The proposed research must be investigator-initiated, hypothesis-driven.The proposed research must be conducted within the United States or Canada.ASCRS members must be co-principal investigators or principal investigators.Prior to submitting your application, any proposed research that includes human or animal studies must have approval from the institution’s appropriate review board.