Program Development Pilot Core

Abstract – Program Development (Pilot) Core – Core B The goal of the Johns Hopkins’ Economics of Alzheimer’s Disease & Services (HEADS) Center Program Development (Pilot) Core is to nurture emerging scholars and established investigators pursuing innovation pilots, cultivate novel and high-impact studies, and contribute to the HEADS Center scientific community. In the next project period, the Pilot Core will cultivate new and innovative lines of research through soliciting, selecting, and supporting high-impact Emerging Scholar and Innovation Pilot Projects, launching an accompanying Emerging Scholars Mentorship Program, and integrating Pilot PIs within the broader Center. HEADS Center Pilot studies will address theory-driven analyses to generate and/or test hypotheses or conduct exploratory studies to develop and test new methods. At least 12 Pilots will be awarded to Emerging Investigators throughout the project period. To meet its goal, the HEADS Pilot Core has the following three Specific Aims: AIM 1. To execute a structured process to solicit, review, and fund promising Emerging Scholar Pilot Projects and Innovation Pilot Projects that identify, quantify, and address challenges posed by ADRD aligned with HEADS Center research themes. AIM 2. To support successful execution of all funded Pilot studies by (a) providing oversight and individualized support (e.g., project management, budgeting, data security, contingency planning) to maximize the rigor and timely completion of Pilot studies; and (b) ensuring Pilot PIs are integrated within the overall HEADS Center and connected to Center resources and Cores (Admin Core, C&D Core, Network Core, and RDEC). AIM 3: To implement the HEADS Emerging Scholars Mentorship Program to train and mentor Emerging Scholars through a constructive process of pilot research, culminating in submission of an R-Series or K-Series proposal within 2 years of pilot award. We propose three new and two continuing Year 6 pilot projects from clinician scientists, services researchers, and economists, all of whom are early-stage or new investigators whose research addresses high-priority evidence gaps in alignment with our HEADS Center’s research themes and science that addresses the disproportionate distribution of health, focusing on priority populations experiencing higher burden of ADRD.