Pediatric Disaster Science Research Training Program

Pilot and Emerging Issues
Project Award

The PPN Pilot and Emerging Issues Project is seeking proposals
The Pediatric Pandemic Network (PPN) is seeking proposals for its 2024 Pilot and Emerging Issues Project, aiming to enhance pediatric care during future disasters, emergencies, and pandemics. Affiliated institutions are encouraged to submit proposals focusing on mental and behavioral health, disaster preparedness, infectious diseases, and health equity. Up to 10 projects will be funded, with key deadlines including submission of a Letter of Intent by April 15, 2024, and full proposals by June 1, 2024. Successful projects should lead to at least one peer-reviewed publication within a year and must undergo Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. The RFP emphasizes community engagement, health equity, and potential for future funding. Proposals should include specific aims, experimental design, and biosketches of key personnel, with budgets capped at $50,000 per year for two years. Projects will be reviewed by the PPN Research Domain, and researchers are encouraged to adhere to guidelines and submit LOIs to april.parish@nationwidechildrens.org for the advancement of pediatric healthcare in emergencies and pandemics. For more information, click here.

Pediatric Disaster Science Research Training Program

Disaster scientists are essential to advance the evidence base, evaluate all stages of the disaster cycle, and implement evidence-based interventions as they relate to children and families impacted by disasters.

There is currently a paucity of investigators and research related to pediatric disaster science. The PPN is instituting a year-long curriculum for a diverse group of nationwide students who are entering the field of health services research related to pediatric disaster science.

Pediatric disaster science involves many disciplines across medicine, as well as engineering, emergency management and social science, and it is a relatively new field of investigation that demands specific skills and connections that are not consistently taught in the current academic research setting. Examples of these skills include community-based participatory research, ethical considerations of vulnerable and high-risk populations, interdisciplinary program evaluation, and accessing data related to pediatric disasters.

The Pediatric Disaster Science Research Training Program is open to fellows in their second or third year, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty with disaster science research interests. The year-long course covers a range of topics: health services research methodology, study design, program evaluation, working with large databases, grant writing and publishing in disaster science, networking with the national disaster science community, etc.

We are currently not accepting applications but plan to recruit late 2024 for our 2025 cycle.

PPN Mentored Disaster Research Career Development Award

The PPN mentored Pediatric Disaster Research Career Development Award (PDRCD) program was created to assist in the development of a diverse pool of highly trained scientists who will address the Nation’s health services in addition to behavioral and clinical research needs in disaster science research as applied to children.

The overall goal of the PPN Mentored Career Development Award The objective is to provide salary and research support for a sustained period of “protected time” (2-3 years) to prepare a future cadre of well-trained scientists conducting Disaster Science Research in Pediatrics.

The program is derived to encourage clinical and health services research-oriented physicians and PhDs to develop research skills and gain experience in advanced methods and experimental approaches needed to become independent investigators conducting disaster science research. It is anticipated that up to 4 awards will be distributed. Each award will be funded at a $125,000 direct cost per year (no indirect costs allowed).

PLEASE NOTE: Deadline for applications has been extended. Applications are now due April 10, 2024.

To learn more, click here.