Voucher Program

As of December 15, 2020, the CRS voucher is closed for the remainder of the academic year. We will resume the voucher funding mechanism in 2021.

Vouchers of up to $3,000 are offered by the SC CTSI to purchase services and/or access core resources to generate new data for development of clinical and/or community research projects.

Vouchers must have the ability to lead to extramural funding and may be used to:

• Add new data collection to an existing (“parent”) clinical or community project to develop new research that is distinct from the aims of parent project.
• Collect information de novo, outside the context of an existing project, to support development of new clinical and/or community research.

• Research support services offered through the SC CTSI (www.sc-ctsi.org)
• Research core services offered more broadly at USC and CHLA - see examples:
  • https://research.usc.edu/laboratoriesandservices
  • http://www.chla.org/core-facilities
• Measurements performed by outside reference labs that are already USC or CHLA vendors
• Collection of data through questionnaires or mobile health devices
• Other uses will be considered if scientifically justified and within the budget of the program.
  

*Note: we will not accept purchases of hardware and costs to compensate hired staff for the research study

• Non-research patient care
• Salary for faculty members, post-docs, students, and administrators
• Travel
• Tuition, membership fees, publication fees
• Durable goods, materials and supplies
• Payment for items already in the budget of a funded research project
• Payment for services that have already been provided to the investigator

A single PDF file should be assembled including the following information. Use Arial font, 11 pt; margins a minimum of 0.5 inch; no appendices; include page numbers; include header with PI last name and brief title.

Maximum 2 pages, single spaced. Include the following sections:

• Section 1: Background and Aims (0.5 page) – For all proposals, provide brief background and rationale. In addition, provide the specific aims of the project for which you are seeking voucher funding. If the project involves collecting new data to an existing (“parent”) project , please state how the data to be collected represent a new area of research and is distinct from the original aims of the parent project.
• Section 2: Approach (1 page) - Description of the information to be collected and methods for collecting and analyzing it.
• Section 3: Potential to Lead to Extramural Funding (0.5 page) - Provide specific plans for applying to extramural funding. Include the following information:
• Describe how the data will support follow-on grant applications
• Milestones for collection of the data and timeline for submission of extramural application(s)
• Specific funding mechanisms or opportunities that would be targeted for extramural funding applications

If the proposal is an extension of an existing parent project (when applicable), please attach the study description or protocol for the parent project (no word limit).

Use the Required PHS 398 Budget Form (download HERE) with your application. The budget should be $3,000 maximum with only listings of direct costs covered by CTSI. Cost sharing and attempts to raise funds from other sources are encouraged. Download an example budget HERE.

Maximum 1 page. Justify all costs fully. Provide detailed information for all requested items.

 Maximum 1/2 page

**For award recipients applying for a continuation of a voucher from a prior fiscal year, please indicate how you have utilized the funds from your prior voucher award to further your research (300 word limit). **

Rolling application. Funding is available for successful applications beginning on or after August 1^st.

Per SC CTSI and NIH requirements, you will be expected to respond to a survey administered by the SC CTSI once. You will receive the survey after the first year of the award start date. The required survey will collect information related to following voucher award outcomes, (1) new publications, (2) new extramural funding, (3) new IRB protocols, (4) new patents, (5) new therapeutic, diagnostic, and/or medical interventions, (6) new behavioral or community interventions, (7) changes in access to care, (8) changes in standards of care, (9) changes to health policy, (10) new internal collaborations, (11) new external collaborations, and (12) accomplishments.

If awarded a voucher, all funds will need to be spent within 12 months of account establishment.

• Full-time faculty members at USC and CHLA are eligible to apply.
• Postdocs, residents, fellows, students, and community members can serve as co-investigators, but a faculty principal investigator must be identified for the application.
• Special consideration will be given to junior investigators and applicants from underrepresented minority groups.
• Investigators are eligible to receive one voucher award per fiscal year.