The IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Office of Community Outreach and Engagement focuses on reducing the cancer burden in Indiana through community engagement, research, and education. They aim to facilitate and support collaborative efforts that translate into evidence-based practices and interventions in communities, particularly for underserved populations, to decrease cancer incidence and improve cancer care outcomes across the state.
The Indiana CTSI Community Health Partnerships (CHeP) Trailblazer Award focuses on supporting collaborative, community-engaged research projects that aim to improve health, examine social determinants of health, or enhance health equity. The grant program is interested in funding projects related to substance use/misuse, obesity prevention, maternal and infant mortality, chronic diseases, health care challenges, and disparities in rural areas. It prioritizes projects that demonstrate a clear plan for sustainability through the use of existing Indiana CTSI infrastructure or connections to statewide health initiatives. Eligible projects include those that implement exploratory research to identify or reduce health inequities, evaluate programs with the potential to impact health equity or social determinants of health, and implement and preliminarily evaluate health-related programs. Projects that aim to change policy, systems, and/or the environment to achieve health equity are especially encouraged. Funding up to $25,000 over two years is available, with specific budget requirements and limitations, including support for personnel and travel expenses, but excluding equipment purchases over $5,000.