Special Interest Projects

2023 SIPs

The 2023 SIP announcement has been released. You can find the full announcement here.

SIP 23-001: Effective Community Conversations for Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake

Project Description

Community-level messengers have been promoted and funded as a way of increasing uptake of vaccinations (1). During the COVID-19 pandemic, additional funding was dedicated to community partners for this work through the Partnering for Vaccine Equity (P4VE) mechanism. Evaluations have been performed on community-level messengers to demonstrate their
impact.
However, such generalized evaluations are limited by very broad categorizations or confounded by their implementation in a multi-component program. More detailed studies on the optimal messenger and message for community-level vaccine conversations are needed
for
more effective implementation of this strategy. From the aspect of behavioral and psychological science, very few interventions have been demonstrated to change what people think and feel about vaccinations. The observation of effective community-level vaccine conversations can inform further research in this area. The purpose of this SIP is to better understand the impact and successful elements of community conversations with trusted messengers. The end-result of this SIP should inform the design of larger, more rigorous trials of community-level messenger recruitment and training.

This SIP seeks to answer the following questions:

  • How does the socio-demographic and relational characteristics of the community-level messengers relative to the targeted community affect successful vaccine conversations? (i.e., How important is the messenger?)
  • What are the elements of a successful/productive vaccine conversation when conducted by the community-level messenger? (i.e., How important is the message?)
  • What are elements in the successful training of community-level messengers? (i.e., What is the best way to train community-level messengers?)

If you are interested in applying, please complete this interest survey by January 6, 2023, 11:59pm.

Submission

Only one application per PRC is allowed.  If you are interested in applying for SIP, please complete the 2023 SIP Interest Survey by 11:59 PM CT on January 6, 2023.

Completing this survey initiates your internal application with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Prevention Research Center (UWPRC). The deadline for the UWPRC to submit Special Interest Project funding applications to the CDC is March 3, 2023.

Funding and Awards

This is funding for a 1-year project, with a maximum funding of $500,000 direct cost. The funding period would start on 9/30/2023.

Eligibility

Competition is limited to institutions awarded a Prevention Research Center (PRC) under CDC RFA-DP-19-001. One application per project per PRC is allowed. UWPRC is one of 26 PRCs nationally. Multiple applications for the same SIP from the same institution are not permitted. The project lead also must have or be eligible for Principal Investigator status at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

 

Each year, the CDC releases a group of Special Interest Projects (SIPs) through the Prevention Research Center (PRC) Program. Only one application per SIP per PRC is allowed. We send out information about SIPs via our mailing list at the end of each year. You can subscribe here.

2022 SIP Competitive Supplement Recipients


Dr. Irene Ong

Assistant Professor
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Department of Biostatistics & Medical Informatics


Dr. Manish Patankar

Professor
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Prevention Research Center was recently awarded funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct a Special Interest Project (SIP) focused on detecting early-stage ovarian cancer. The SIP is led by Drs. Irene Ong and Manish Patankar. In collaboration with Dr. Jesus Gonzalez from the University of Iowa and Dr. Peter Agenta from the University of Minnesota, the project will examine electronic health record data from three Midwestern health care systems using interpretable machine learning models to determine whether demographic/clinical variables, social determinants of health, and high-frequency germline genetic variants can be used to identify early predictors of ovarian cancer. The goal of the project is to develop novel computational tools identifying early-stage ovarian cancer and improve the long-term survival of patients and chances for cure. The researchers expect that such a predictive model will be especially useful for early detection of ovarian cancer in underrepresented and under-resourced women, and contribute to more equitable health care and health outcomes.

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2022 SIPs

The 2022 Special Interest Project Grants Notice was released on December 23, 2021. If you are interested in any of the SIPs (see below), you can begin the internal application process by submitting a 2022 SIP Interest Survey to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Prevention Research Center (UWPRC). The interest survey is due January 5, 2022 at 12 PM Central. The deadline for the UWPRC to submit Special Interest Project funding applications to the CDC is March 4, 2022.

Funding and Awards

14 awards anticipated for an estimated $8,280,000.

Eligibility

Competition is limited to institutions awarded a Prevention Research Center (PRC) under CDC RFA-DP-19-001. One application per project per PRC; UWPRC is one of 26 PRCs, nationally. The project lead also must have or be eligible for Principal Investigator status at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Description

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will provide supplemental funding to Prevention Research Centers (PRCs) to conduct Special Interest Projects (SIPs) to design, test, evaluate, disseminate and translate effective applied public health prevention research on interventions (i.e. programs, practices, policies, or strategies) and tools developed in real-world settings to address the leading causes of illness, disabilities, and death in the United States.

Project Topic Areas

This NOFO supports efforts that align with Healthy People 2030, CDC’s Health Impact in 5 Years (HI-5) Initiative, and the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion’s Four Domains of Chronic Disease Prevention. See the funding announcement (Related Documents tab) for more information.

SIP 22-001: Process, Outcome, and Cost Evaluation of Free Sunscreen Dispensers in Outdoor Community Settings
This project will help to fill research gaps on the impact of free sunscreen dispensers on sun- safety knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Findings from this project will help to inform best practices for future community-level skin cancer prevention efforts, including work being done by CDC-funded Comprehensive Cancer Control programs.

SIP 22-002: Electronic Health Record Study to Examine Factors and Diagnostic Pathways that Facilitate Early Ovarian Cancer Diagnoses
This project will contribute to the evidence base for recommendations and best practices that clinicians and health care systems might use in identifying ovarian cancers earlier. Shifting the majority of ovarian cancer cases to earlier stages at diagnosis may lead to significant population-based increases in survival.

SIP 22-003: Improving and evaluating measures to identify tics and tic disorders including Tourette syndrome in children in epidemiologic studies and clinical settings
This project will help to (a) Improve early identification and treatment of tics to improve outcomes among people with tic disorders and co-occurring conditions; and (b) Improve how tic disorders, including Tourette syndrome (TS), are defined and measured to improve our understanding of how many people have TS, particularly among minority and underserved populations through testing and evaluating the use and accuracy of measures to identify tics and tic disorders in a demographically diverse sample of children from the general population. Improved measures can improve epidemiologic and surveillance work to better understand the prevalence of tic disorders including Tourette syndrome. If available accurate tic screeners could improve the identification and referral for treatment not only for tic disorders including TS, but also might improve identification of common mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Early identification and treatment may lead to improved outcomes among children with these disorders.

SIP 22-004: Disability and Health Data Collaborative: Using Data to Promote the Health and Wellness of People with Disabilities
This project will allow for improved characterization and evaluation of the health and wellness of people with disabilities. Improving access to disability data will provide an evidence-base for informed health care policy and resource allocation. Over time, increased data linkages and collaborators may use this resource to evaluate interventions designed to improve the health and well-being of people with disabilities, particularly if implemented early in the life course with the aim of promoting positive adult outcomes.

SIP 22-005: Building Resilience Against Climate Effects (BRACE): Enhancing Practical Guidance to Support Climate and Health Adaptation Planning
This project would improve the utility of the BRACE conceptual framework, by providing expanded and enhanced guidance, resources, and tools to empower communities to prepare for climate change, and address hazards such as heat waves, flooding events, and vector-borne disease. This will particularly help disproportionately impacted communities directly experiencing the inequitable health impacts of climate change. An improved BRACE package will also enhance the technical assistance Climate and Health Program (CHP) is able to provide to Climate-Ready States and Cities Initiative (CRSCI) grant recipients and other partners.

SIP 22-006: Dementia Risk Reduction Research Network – Collaborating Centers
This project will fund the Dementia Risk Reduction Research Network, a national network of academic, public health, and community partners that will improve interventions and management for people at increased risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) with the ultimate goal of reducing the burden of ADRD, especially for populations disproportionately impacted.

SIP 22-007: COVID-19 and Women: An Assessment of Challenges and Lessons Learned to Enhance Public Health Emergency Preparedness for Women and Families
This project seeks to obtain unique insights from women to help federal entities, stakeholder organizations, and local, statewide, and tribal communities develop effective preparedness and response plans and implement mitigation strategies to reach women and families put at increased risk in public health emergencies.

2021 SIPs

2021 SIPs

The 2021 Special Interest Project Grants Notice was released on December 21, 2020. If you are interested in any of the SIPs (see below), you can begin the internal application process by submitting a 2021 SIP Interest Survey to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Prevention Research Center (UWPRC). The interest survey is due January 8, 2021 at 12 PM CT. The deadline for the UWPRC to submit Special Interest Project funding applications to the CDC is February 24, 2021.

Funding and Awards

12 awards anticipated for an estimated $9,110,000.

Eligibility

Competition is limited to institutions awarded a Prevention Research Center (PRC) under CDC RFA-DP-19-001. One application per project per PRC; UWPRC is one of 25 PRCs, nationally.

Description

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will provide supplemental funding to Prevention Research Centers (PRCs) to conduct Special Interest Projects (SIPs) to design, test, evaluate, disseminate and translate effective applied public health prevention research on interventions (i.e. programs, practices, policies, or strategies) and tools developed in real-world settings to address the leading causes of illness, disabilities, and death in the United States.

Project Topic Areas

Research projects announced in this NOFO align with public health priorities associated with Healthy People 2020 topic areas: Aging, Arthritis, Adolescent Health, Cancer, Epilepsy, Immunization, Perinatal Mental Health, Smoking Cessation, and Tobacco Use Prevention.

SIP 21-001: Integrating social emotional well being w/ physical activity & nutrition practices in school-based out-of-school time (OST) programs: a demonstration project

SIP 21-002: Examining Contexts of Alcohol Availability and Accessibility

SIP 21-003: Evaluating alternative delivery models for arthritis-appropriate evidence- based physical activity and self-management interventions

SIP 21-004: Development, Evaluation and Dissemination of an Evidence-Based Intervention to Increase Sun Safety among Outdoor Workers

SIP 21-005: Feasibility of a Model Cancer Screening Surveillance Report Using All-Payer Claims Data

SIP 21-006: Increasing Genetic Counseling Referrals Among Patients At-Risk for BRCA- Associated Cancers

SIP 21-007: Epilepsy incidence and etiology: important information for public health prevention and health promotion in the US community

SIP 21-008: Examining approaches to improve care and management of people with lupus

SIP 21-009: Mental Health of Mothers Study (MHOMS) and Substance Use Evaluation Network

SIP 21-010: Engagement of Community Health Workers to Reduce Racial Discrimination and Improve Hypertension Management