Opioid Innovation Fund Application Instructions

Opioid Innovation Fund Application Instructions (First Round)

2017-18 Funding Round

The Autumn 2017 Opioid Innovation Fund (OIF) grants are to encourage faculty, staff and students, and, if appropriate, their respective public/private sector community partners to submit proposals with the objective of reducing the burden of the opioid crisis in Ohio. We are seeking to fund proposals that will run the gamut from innovative new approaches in technology to implementation of evidence-based strategies in the community.

Leveraging Partnerships

This program is designed to bring together multiple, available resources and leverage existing partnerships (private and public) to develop programs/initiatives that will achieve measurable, positive impacts to reduce the burden of the opioid crisis.  Partnerships within Ohio State could also include regional campuses or Extension offices that offer proximity to many of the Ohio counties most affected by the opioid crisis. Where appropriate, partnerships are encouraged with community organizations such as local faith-based groups and non-profits, as well as local governmental agencies, libraries and businesses.  It is critical that projects dependent on community engagement have effective and sustainable partnerships in the community.

General Instructions

Program Overview

Eligible applicants are invited to submit a pre-proposal, using the template provided to be considered for further development and subsequent funding. As promising pre-proposals are identified, a Program Support Team will work with investigators of the projects identified, and will attempt to finalize and resolve any remaining potential issues such as needed clarity of purpose, program evaluation, community partners, and/or budget.  Applicants will need to set aside sufficient staff time for full proposal completion.  The final proposal will not exceed 10 pages.

Eligibility

Teams must be led by current Ohio State faculty or staff. One individual must be designated as the point of contact for the grant and will facilitate communication with team members.

Grant Tracks

Program Planning Grant (up to $50,000)
Planning grants support development or improvement of a program at any point in its life-cycle. Teams that demonstrate support and success for starting or enhancing a program will be expected to further develop the program to implementation in another funding cycle.

Program Implementation Grant (up to $100,000)
Implementation grants are intended for programs with accrued early successes, where there is a clear purpose based on demonstrated need, a comprehensive plan, and partnerships are already established. These grants may also support scale-up of an established program’s infrastructure and capacity that have previously documented achieving specific outcomes and goals that positively impacted some critical factor needed to reduce the opioid burden in Ohio.

Funding Period

Duration of funding can be up to two years from the date the project is funded. Grantees must plan to spend all grant funds during the grant period. The anticipated project timeline for the autumn cycle is February 1, 2018, through January 30, 2020. An interim report is due at 6 months and a final report when project is completed articulating whether specific outcomes were achieved or not.

Use of Funds

There are no restrictions on the proposed use of funds, except that funds may not be used for capital improvements. Examples of fund use include, but are not limited to, operating costs, faculty, staff, student, community partner support, equipment and supplies. All uses must be submitted as part of the proposal but would be subject to modification.

Recommended (but not required) Cost Share

Proposals should, where possible, identify cost share equal to 50% of the final award amount with at least 1/2 of the cost sharing as cash.

Selection and Timeline

Pre-proposals will be evaluated on merit based on quality of responses to questions posed on the narrative template, including alignment with funding priority areas. The Selection Committee will decide which proposals advance to the funding stage based on merit and priorities of areas of need.

Award Timeline
Date Activity
October 12, 2017 Call for pre-proposals opens
November 3, 2017, 5 p.m. Pre-proposals due
No later than December 8, 2017 Top-tier proposals recommended for development of full proposals
February 14, 2018 Full proposals due
Early March, 2018 Award decisions made
March 2018 Funds available

Pre-Proposal Application Instructions

  1. Pre-Proposal/Project Title
  2. Single Point of Contact Information
  3. Program Stage (Planning or Implementation)
  4. Alignment with Funding Priority Areas
    • Geographic Focus
    • Type of Partnerships
  5. Execuitve Summary (250-word limit)
  1. Statement of the Challenge/Opportunity. Explain the nature, scope and significance of the challenge or opportunity, including data to support this conclusion and need for the proposed program.
  2. Approach. Explain how the program will address the challenge/opportunity to reduce the opioid crisis in Ohio. Describe the intended approach and, if appropriate, the target population for whom the program is designed.  If a community-based program, indicate why the community is ready for the program and why the timing is right for the proposal.
  3. Outcomes and Evaluation. Clearly describe the program outcomes derived from program activities and how they will be measured and evaluated.  It may be valuable in some cases to include process evaluation; however program evaluation of short- or intermediate-term outcomes is required.       
  4. Sustainability. Include a vision and/or growth plan for long-term viability of the program beyond the OIF grant support.  Considerations should include: how the program will be grown (including an exit strategy if relevant), financial support for the program, and how the program can transition effectively after the OIF funding ends.
  5. Team Members and Qualifications. Document team capacity to execute the proposed initiative. Identify members of the core team, including existing or desired Ohio State and external members. Briefly discuss each member’s role, capabilities and qualifications. Include experience relevant to the proposed project.
  6. Budget and Justification. Based on the amount requested, provide budget estimates that include (if available) cost share and additional sources of funding. Document how funding will be applied to achieve proposed program outcomes.  Please identify any expected budgetary overlap with existing or anticipated future funding.