AMDA Foundation - Foundation Partners with AHRQ and RAND on Novel Research Initiative

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Vol XXIV, May `06

Foundation Partners with AHRQ and RAND on Novel Research Initiative

Vol XXIV, May `06

The AMDA Foundation Research Network has become a designated partner in the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality ACTION grant which recently was awarded to the RAND Corporation. RAND and its partners are now eligible to compete against other consortia for "task orders" submitted by AHRQ. These task orders are requests for proposals to conduct research on a variety of health care topics of interest to AHRQ.

After a task order is released, the different consortia have a very short period of time to "bid" on the task order and submit a proposal for funding. Speed is of the essence in this process. For RAND to effectively compete for these task orders, it needs to hear from its designated partners about their interest and available resources and expertise in carrying out the research. The funding for these projects is in the range of $200,000-$500,000 and will involve a collaborative structure with several partners. These task orders will appear regularly, probably every month or so. The topics will vary; and some will involve issues relevant to long term care and geriatrics.

What is in this for the AMDA Foundation and its Research Network members? "We get the chance to participate in collaborative research projects in areas of interest and the opportunity to receive funding," said Dr. Karuza.

The Research Network Steering Committee decided the best way to proceed on this project is to involve its members directly. Therefore, Research Network members will receive e-mail announcements about the "task order" notices as they are released. Member should review each task order on receipt. If they are interested in participating, they should respond within 48 hours of the request. The Network then will contact interested members to work out the details of participation. The default will be to assume members are not interested unless they reply promptly.

"This is one opportunity to involve Research Network members in a broad range of research activities and help them with their professional growth and development," noted Karuza.

Research Network members who do not want to receive the task order notices by e-mail should contact Barbara Calabrese at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or (410) 992-3143.