Applicants for the Joseph G. Sprague New Investigator Award are required to view a 30min. informational webinar. The webinar will cover:

• The Center for Health Design’s and the Sprague Foundation’s mission and purpose of the award
• A step-by-step discussion of each section of the proposal and what it tells the reviewers
• Keys to success and common mistakes to avoid

If you are unable to attend the May 10 session, an on-demand recording will be available after the live webinar date. Contact Catherine Ancheta for recorded webinar access and for additional questions. 

ABOUT THE AWARD 

The Center for Health Design announces the Joseph G. Sprague New Investigator Award (NIA). The purpose of this award is to support and recognize high quality research by new investigators around the world in the field of evidence-based healthcare facility design. The award is open to graduate students, and other recent research degree recipients whose contributions reflect their potential to conduct original, empirical research to improve our understanding of the relationships between the physical environment and health-related outcomes & wellness. The goal of the award is to support new researchers whose research can fill critical gaps in the field of evidence-based design (EBD).

All applications will undergo a thorough peer-review process, conducted by a multi-disciplinary jury established by The Center for Health Design. All applicants must use the provided (approved) templates with no modifications to fonts (e.g., type, size) or formatting (e.g., line spacing, margins). Modifications to footer page numbers are expected prior to assembling your final submission.  Your proposal should be clear and succinct. In no instance shall the “body” of the proposal exceed the allowed page limits. (See the application requirements, page 5.) The Center reserves the right to disqualify/reject submissions that exceed these limits. You are responsible to check your submission. You will not be notified about disqualification in advance of the deadline.

AREAS OF FOCUS 

This request for proposals (RFP) seeks to fund studies in all healthcare settings, including hospitals, ambulatory care, behavioral health settings, senior living communities and home-based models of care. The setting of research can range from academic medical centers to community-based care initiatives, as well as simulation laboratories.

This RFP stipulates that the proposal examine the relationship between the built environment and healthcare outcomes. Priority will be given to proposals in the following areas of focus:

1. Staff well-being. There are a range of strategies that can support the well-being of clinical staff. We acknowledge the broad spectrum that encompasses well-being (e.g., efficient workflows, respite spaces, noise mitigation) and the proposal must specify both which segment of staff is to be considered and which environments are proposed for study (e.g., intensive care, primary care, acute care).
2. Behavioral and mental health. There are a range of settings that can support behavioral health (i.e., not limited to secure psychiatric units). We acknowledge the broad spectrum that encompasses behavioral health (e.g., neurodiversity, suicide), and the proposal must specify both which segment of the population is to be considered and which environments are proposed for study (e.g., intensive outpatient, emergency department).
3. Aging. There are a range of settings that can support aging (i.e., not limited to long-term care). We acknowledge the broad spectrum that encompasses conditions of aging (e.g., dementia, frailty), and the proposal must specify both which segment of the population is to be considered and which environments are proposed for study (e.g., assisted living, acute care).
4. Pediatric care. There are a range of settings that can support pediatric care. We acknowledge the broad spectrum that encompasses pediatric conditions (e.g., PICU, pediatric oncology), and the proposal must specify both which segment of the pediatric population is to be considered (e.g., age range, medical condition) and which environments are proposed for study (e.g., play rooms, patient rooms).

While an applicant may propose a study outside of these areas, there should be a clear and compelling case for the contribution to the field (e.g., the knowledge gap being addressed, the practical application). Priority will be given to studies that consider vulnerable or underserved populations, address issues around equity of care, or that inform facility design guidelines or regulations.

Learn more and submit here.

2023 Winners: Alesssandro Morganti and Devi Soman