The Office of Academic Clinical Affairs is continuing its focus on improving health through bold, innovative collaborations in pursuit of solutions to the "wicked" problems facing our communal and individual health. As a land-grant university, our work is to serve. Through research, seeking new discoveries, and continually learning, we can pave the way for generations to come. We are committed to reaching all corners of our state and improving the health outcomes for all Minnesotan.
Call for OACA BOLD Ideas deadline was Jan. 10, 2020. The results of the previous funding cycle are being reviewed to determine what, if any, of those learnings should be incorporated into this cycle of funding. We anticipate announcing the next portfolio of funded proposals by Feb. 10, 2020.
The “wicked” problems that are particularly challenging to the health and wellbeing of the state of Minnesota include:
- Health disparities and influencing social and environmental determinants of health
- Lack of access to needed health care and health promotion resources in rural Minnesota (closed hospitals/lack of providers/missing programs/needed expertise) and some urban settings
- Health care provider burnout at all levels of training and career
- Technology that facilitates, rather than hinders, health and health care
- Opioid and addiction crises
- Societal and social issues of aging
- Bioethical challenges resulting from the above
Solutions to these wicked problems will require new ways of thinking about health. For the second series of funding, OACA is seeking very early stage BOLD ideas that begin to develop the foundation to challenge these problems and will require further development in order to be carried out. Broad categories include, but are not limited to:
- Advancing new theories or practices to improve health status
- Developing approaches that advance team-based health activities, including disciplines outside the traditional health sciences
- Engagement with the community that ameliorates health related issues.
OACA will fund selected proposals with up to $30,000 for a 6 month development. The funds can be used to further the development of a team, engage the community, preliminary data analysis, etc. Funds should be applied to internal or community resources but cannot be used for outside consultants. No-cost extensions for use of funds is not permissible/allowed.
A brief description of the project, including how it fulfills the goals and criteria above, as well as the proposed use of resources should be submitted on-line via REDcap by January 10, 2020.
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