Nurses have several opportunities to work with internal programs at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and to apply for AHRQ extramural research grants. These opportunities are outlined in two recent articles by Agency staff.
The first article, by Beth A. Collins Sharp, Ph.D., R.N., and Heddy Hubbard, M.P.H., R.N., of AHRQ's Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness, and Cheryl Bland Jones, Ph.D., R.N., of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, focuses on opportunities to work with AHRQ through intramural programs and collaboration with external partners. For example, nurses routinely serve on research study sections and on other appointments. Also, several nurses have been appointed to AHRQ's National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality. Other opportunities range from carrying out research as a senior nurse scientist, serving as peer reviewers, and volunteering for AHRQ-related committees and evidence-based practice initiatives.
In the second article, Ronda G. Hughes, Ph.D., M.H.S., R.N., of AHRQ's Center for Primary Care, Prevention, and Clinical Partnerships, describes considerations that should be taken into account when applying for a Federal research grant. Although her remarks come from an AHRQ perspective, her advice can be applied to other funders as well.
To be successful in applying for funding from AHRQ, applications should reflect the direction and priorities of AHRQ, which can be found on the Agency's Web site at www.ahrq.gov/fund/. Nurses should define the importance of the proposed research, talk with staff in AHRQ program offices to vet ideas for possible research grants, and understand the difference between requests for applications and program announcements. Applicants also should target priority populations such as racial and ethnic minorities, women, children, older adults, low-income groups, individuals with special health care needs, and residents of rural areas. Finally, Dr. Hughes discusses other considerations—such as study section review and budget limits—that should be considered when developing an application.
For more details, see "Translating research into nursing practice: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality," by Beth A. Collins Sharp, Ph.D., R.N., Heddy Hubbard, M.P.H., R.N., and Cheryl Bland Jones, Ph.D., R.N., in the January/February 2005 Nursing Outlook 53(1), pp. 46-48. Reprints (AHRQ Publication No. 05-R040) are available from the AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse.
See also "Some tips on getting funding for health services research," by Ronda G. Hughes, Ph.D., M.H.S., R.N., in the November 2004 Applied Nursing Research 17(4), pp. 305-307. Reprints (AHRQ Publication No. 05-R035) are available from the AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse.
Return to Contents
Proceed to Next Article
540 Gaither Road Rockville, MD 20850