Yvonne L. Munn Center for Nursing Research

Yvonne L. Munn Nursing Research Grants
(2021)

Overview

Debra Burke, RN, MBA, DNP, NEA-BC, Chief Nurse, Patient Care Services, and the leadership of the Department of Nursing support research grants annually through the Yvonne L. Munn Center for Nursing Research. These studies focusing on original research are initiated by MGH staff nurses for the purpose of advancing nursing science and improving outcomes for patients and families. The intent is that the studies support and advance Patient Care Services annual strategic goals and the professional practice model. Completed studies are featured as presentations throughout the year at quarterly Munn Nursing Research Grand Rounds.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants seeking a Yvonne L. Munn Nursing Research Grant must be a registered nurse, in a staff nurse role, working at least 20 hours per week as a permanent benefits-eligible employee at MGH. Part-time nurses are encouraged to work collaboratively with a full-time co-PI. Registered nurses currently enrolled in a doctoral program or at the post-doctoral level are not eligible (contact the Munn Center for other funding options). Team members may consist of nurses and other multidisciplinary healthcare professionals.

Each team is required to have a mentor to provide guidance and oversight, and to enhance the rigor of the investigation. The nurse mentor must have a PhD; however, a team-based mentoring approach consisting of a PhD and DNP prepared nurse is also acceptable. The Munn Nursing Research Grant Committee, in conjunction with the Munn Center, can also provide assistance to potential applicants in locating a mentor.

It is not necessary to have MGH Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval prior to proposal submission; however, all funded proposals must be reviewed and approved by the MGB IRB before the study is conducted. Additionally, participating in research studies requires the completion of the MGB IRB’s on-line educational program, the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) (http://www.citiprogram.org), prior to beginning the study. Please review the Munn Grant IRB and Project Initiation Policy.

Proposal Preparation and Mentoring

Doctorally prepared nurse mentors, along with the Munn Research Grant Committee, will provide guidance in proposal writing, budget preparation, study implementation, and evaluation. For information regarding Mentor responsibilities please review the Mentor Role Guidelines. Questions regarding proposal preparation, budget preparation and submission should be directed to Stacianne Goodridge: sgoodridge@partners.org

Selection of Grants

All applications for the Y. L. Munn Nursing Research Grant go through a series of steps as outlined in the timeline below. The co-chairs of the Munn Grants Committee are responsible for facilitating these activities. A formal review of all Munn Grants submitted is completed by a Selection Committee that includes representation from within the MGH community.

The Selection Committee Members include the co-chairs and members of the Munn Grants Committee, and the Director of the Munn Center for Nursing Research. Each reviewer receives a packet of materials containing all of the applications, review guidelines, PCS goals, and a scoring sheet. Reviewers are asked to rank all proposals. The co-chairs of the Munn Review Committee and the Director of the Munn Center review all the data and make a final selection. Each application is presented in rank order with a summary of the study review to the Chief Nurse and Vice President for Patient Care Services for final approval. All submissions are reviewed with proposal authors and the winners are announced during Nurse Research Day celebrations.

Time Frame and Contact Informaion for Proposal Submission

	April 9, 2021 (5 pm)	Letters of Intent (Cvent), Nursing Director Support and your CV and Mentor’s CV to sgoodridge@partners.org
	May 21, 2021 (5 pm)	Proposals (Cvent) due for review, email to sgoodridge@partners.org
	June 14-21, 2021	Preliminary feedback to applicants
	July 30, 2021 (5 pm)	Final proposal with requested revisions (if any) due, submit via email to sgoodridge@partners.org
	August	Review Committee ranks proposals
	August August	Final recommendations for funding sent for approval Candidates notified of grant decisions
	September	Grants presented during Nurse Research Day Week

Proposal Format and Evaluation Criteria

Proposals must meet Institutional Review Board (IRB) criteria for proposals. The MGB Human Research Committee IRB may be reached at http://healthcare.partners.org/phsirb or at 857-282-1900.

The Grant Review Committee utilizes the format and criteria below in evaluating proposals. It is required that applicants use these criteria to develop their proposals and comply with the associated page limits. Formatting for all proposals should be margins of 1” all around, a font of 12 pitch, and single spacing. A cover page stating applicant name, unit of employment, mentor’s name, and title of project should be included. See below for guidelines.
Original Research Proposal submitted through Cvent:

Cover page completed in Cvent
Completed applicant Original Research check list.
Abstract (300-word maximum/include word count after last line of abstract)
Specific Aims as stated as objectives or hypotheses being tested (1 page)
Background (identify gap in knowledge) and Significance (2-pages maximum)
Research Design including sample and sample size (1-page)
Study procedures including study plan, measurement and data analysis (3-page maximum)
Expected risks, discomforts and expected benefits (1 page)
Recruitment (how, when, where, and by whom subjects will be recruited) and consent procedures how, when, where, when and by whom subjects will be consented) (2 pages)
Monitoring, quality assurance and plans for maintaining privacy and confidentiality (1 page)
Potential Contributions to Nursing, alignment with PCS goals and Dissemination Plan (1-page maximum)
Timeline, and roles and responsibilities of team members
Budget template
Notification of budget approval (required)
References
Relevant attachments such as appendices, instruments as needed

Note: The information session slide presentation elaborates on all grant requirements. Proposals not conforming to guidelines will be returned.

Resources to Support Your Project

Meeting with Munn Grants Chairperson (email sgoodridge@partners.org)
Your mentor
Previous Munn Grant recipients
Yvonne L. Munn Center for Nursing Research staff
Treadwell Library Online
Your Nursing Director and CNS
Munn Research Grants Committee

Grant Notification and Funding

Approved grants may be funded up to $3,000. All Munn Grant applicants will be notified of their funding status prior to Nursing Research Day. Formal announcements will occur at the annual Yvonne L. Munn Research Lecture held during Nursing Research Day. Recipients are not expected to attend the grant ceremony. Awardees’ names will be placed on a plaque in the Ellison corridor.

Key Timelines for Applicants

First step: Post Grant planning meeting with Munn Grant mentor, Committee co-chairs, and a Nurse Scientist from the Munn Center.
The funding period for the grant is 2 years’ actual studies are usually conducted over 6-12 months).
Submit a progress report to the Munn Center every six months until the research is completed.
Investigators will present results of completed study at Munn Nursing Research Grand Rounds, have a poster at MGH Nursing Research Day or a similar venue.

Follow-up

All grant applications, both funded and unfunded, will be reviewed with team members by a member of the Yvonne L. Munn Center for Nursing Research shortly after Research Day. Plans for project implementation or resubmission will be discussed during these sessions.

Acknowledgement: Dissemination resulting from this grant (publication, presentation, and grant) should include the following statement:
“Research support for this investigation was provided by the Yvonne L. Munn Nursing Research Grant and the Yvonne L. Munn Center for Nursing Research, Institute for Patient Care, Massachusetts General Hospital.”

updated 1/29/2021