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Center for Empathy and Technology Seed Grant Program

Call for Proposals: Fall 2023

 

DEADLINE EXTENDED

First stage applications are now due November 6, 2023!

 

The mission of the Center for Empathy and Technology is to make compassion toward others the default practice in medicine, public health, and society at large.  Technology is tightly woven into the fabric of the world today; therefore, the work of the Center is focused on using technology in ways that promote – rather than undermine – empathy, compassion, and well-being. 

 

Proposal Description

The Center invites applications for one-time, non-renewable seed grant proposals.  The Center is interested in projects that use advanced technology to study empathy and compassion, as well as projects that investigate technology at the intersection of empathy and health and the impact on individuals, healthcare, medical education, social interactions, institutions, and society.  Examples of technological advances of interest include, but are not limited to, artificial intelligence, digital health, and precision medicine.  Projects may be proof-of-concept, pilot, or early stage and may be de novo or add-ons to existing studies.  Studies that also address the concerns of vulnerable or special populations are encouraged.

 

Application Deadlines and Notices of Awards

  • First Stage Application due date (EXTENDED): November 6, 2023 by 5pm (Pacific Time)
  • Notice of Invitation for Second Stage Application by November 17, 2023
  • Second Stage Application due date: January 22, 2024 by 5pm (Pacific Time)
  • Notice of award: March 11, 2024 (on or around)

 

Eligibility

Applicants must be UC San Diego faculty or research scientists.  Projects that include faculty from at least two schools or divisions (e.g., Health Sciences and Engineering, Health Sciences and Social Sciences) are encouraged.  Proposals will be reviewed by a committee comprised of UC San Diego faculty and members of Center leadership.  Faculty whose applications are funded will be asked to (a) become members and have their names listed on the Center’s website, (b) acknowledge the Center and Institute in all products that arise from work funded by the award, (c) make an effort to attend Center and Institute interest group meetings and seminars, and (d) disseminate research findings via periodic research presentations to Center interest groups.

 

Scope and Budget

The level of funding for projects supported under this RFA is not to exceed $30,000.  Funding awarded may be less than the requested amount and will be determined based on the availability of funds.  Awards are anticipated to begin on or around May 1, 2024.

 

Requirements

  • Projects should not be longer than 12 months in duration.
  • Research teams will be expected to communicate regularly with Center staff, and progress reports will be required at the half-way point (6-months) and at the conclusion (12-months).
  • The Center will seek to fund proposals likely to lead to follow-on studies supported by external funding. Therefore, applications will be prioritized that articulate a plan for how the pilot funds would result in the submission of at least one proposal for external funding (i.e., to federal, state, and/or private source(s)) within two years of the date that funds are made available.
  • Any software developed as a part of the proposed project will be made available under an open source license, and any data developed as part of the project will be made available under an open data license (e.g., see Open Data Commons)
  • In the Research Plan, successful proposals will include a section describing any project outcomes that relate to empathy and compassion and how those outcomes will be assessed/measured.

 

Submission Guidelines

 

First Stage Application – Letter of Intent

Please send a 500-word abstract that will be scored by the review committee.  The abstract should include (a) the project title; (b) list of research team members with NIH biosketch or equivalent for each investigator; (c) the research question; (d) its relevance to empathy, compassion, and technology; and (e) proposed methodologies.

 

To submit your proposal, complete the following steps:

  • Visit the submission portal located here. You may also access this form from our website under the “Funding Opportunities” and “Research Application Portal” tabs.
  • Create an applicant account and complete the applicant profile. If you have previously submitted to another Center or Institute funding opportunity, please use the same profile.
  • Click “Get Started” to submit a new LOI application. Under the ‘Program’ menu, select Center for Empathy and Technology – Fall 2023.
  • Once the application is complete, please be sure to click ‘Submit.’

 

Applicants will be notified as to whether or not a second stage application is requested.  Specific instructions will be sent to investigators who are invited to submit a second stage application.

 

Key Points / Scoring Criteria:

  • Significance and Impact
  • Innovation
  • Investigators
  • Approach (including compassion/empathy-related outcomes and methods for assessing)
  • Future Funding Prospects

 

For Inquiries

Natalie Gonzalez, B.A. (n8gonzalez@health.ucsd.edu)

Engagement Coordinator, Center for Empathy and Technology

Denny Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion

 

Cinnamon Bloss, Ph.D. (cbloss@ucsd.edu)

Director, Center for Empathy and Technology

Associate Director, T. Denny Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion

Professor, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science