Technology Improvement Award
Call for applications is now closed.
Announcement
The National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM), Middle Atlantic Region (MAR), is accepting applications from NN/LM MAR members for Technology Improvement Awards for the purchase, installation, and/or upgrading of information technologies that enhance access to health information.
Up to $7,500 per award is available for costs associated with upgrading technology. Up to 6 awards will be awarded through April 15, 2008. Applications not funded may be resubmitted in subsequent years. Award Recipients will be notified by mid-July 2008.
Purpose
A Technology Improvement Award may be used to improve information services to health professionals and health care consumers through the application of appropriate technologies; to improve the adequacy of Internet connections in NN/LM-MAR libraries; or to introduce National Library of Medicine (NLM) services to a hospital that previously lacked access to these services.
Applicant Submission Instructions/Requirements
Full members of the MAR network are eligible to apply.
The applicant must submit the completed Technology Improvement Award Application along with any supporting materials. The application along with any attachments, such as resumes, letters of support and equipment quotes may be sent by fax to 212-263-4258 or attached to an email to headrick@library.med.nyu.edu in PDF format. Please use the title of your project as the subject line of the email. The MAR staff will acknowledge your application when received and notification of awards will be given within 4 weeks of the application deadline.
Cost Instructions
Total cost must not exceed $7,500.
Personnel, library collections and indirect costs are not allowable.
For IT/Computer Hardware, please include the following as part of your cost proposal:
- For IT/Computer Hardware under $3,000, submit catalog pricing.
- For IT/Computer Hardware of $3,000 or more, submit three (3) vendor quotes (preferably valid for 60 days). Quotes may include General Service Administration (GSA) price lists (Reference: http://www.gsa.gov). Vendor quotes are necessary to determine price reasonableness for purchases. If item is over $3,000 and not competed, then a sole source justification letter is required to indicate why it is the most advantageous purchase.
Please provide the above information via PDF file emailed to headrick@library.med.nyu.edu or fax to 212-263-4258.
Suggested Projects
- Purchasing equipment and/or software to add a new service to deliver health information over the Internet, e.g. scanner, Web server.
- Paying for Internet access for one year and/or wiring and installation of new connections;
- Upgrading or purchasing computer equipment;
- New technology that enhances user access to electronic health information
Application Review Process
Applications are reviewed by the MAR Technology Committee. Questions and comments from these review bodies may be sent to the applicant for clarification and revision of the proposal. The merits of each application will be carefully evaluated, based on responsiveness to the criteria and the thoroughness and feasibility of the technical approach proposed. Applicants must submit information sufficient to evaluate their proposals based on the criteria listed below.
Applicants will receive notification of awards within 3 months of application deadline.
Evaluation Criteria
IDENTIFICATION OF NEED
Application describes why the technology is needed and how it will improve access to health information for health professionals and/or consumers.
50 points
METHODOLOGY and TECHNICAL APPROACH
Methods are logical and feasible and strategies for evaluation of the project are included.
40 points
EXPERIENCE OF RESPONDENT AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Adequate evidence is provided about the qualifications of the personnel and organizational resources available to assure successful completion of the project. Documentation includes resumes, letters of support and equipment quotes.
10 points
Total Possible Points: 100
Reporting Requirements
A final report, including a blog/newsletter article, must be submitted using the appropriate form within 90 days of completion of the project. Award recipients are encouraged to take photographs for inclusion in the report and article. Reports must be submitted to the MAR within three (3) months of completion of the project.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Public Access Policy Requirement
In accordance with the NIH Public Access Policy investigators must submit or have submitted for them their final, peer-reviewed manuscripts that arise from NIH funds and are accepted for publication as of April 7, 2008 to PubMed Central, to be made publicly available no later than 12 months after publication. As of May 27, 2008, investigators must include the PubMed Central reference number when citing an article in NIH applications, proposals, and progress reports that fall under the policy, and was authored or co-authored by the investigator or arose from the investigator’s NIH award. For more information, see the Public Access web page.
Contact for Questions
If you have questions or require assistance contact Gregg Headrick at MAR at 1-800-338-7657 or email headrick@library.med.nyu.edu. Awards will be announced on the MAR Listserv and on the MARquee.
