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• Research Grant Application

To apply for a research grant, each applicant must submit 1 hard and 1 electronic copy of the following:

1. A Research Grant Application (PDF).
2. A budget form with justification.
3. A timeline for the proposed project.
4. Four to ten page, 12 pt. font, 1" margins, single-spaced, single-sided, narrative that describes the project. Elements to include in the narrative are:
• Introduction, with a statement of purpose and description of the project. Include specific research questions or objectives to be achieved
• Brief review of relevant literature, to provide background on prior research and substantiation of the proposed project
• Background of the study and its significance to perioperative nursing
• Issues related to reliability and validity
• Methods to include a description of the participants, participant recruitment, human participant protection, sample size, and plans for data collection, data organization/processing, and data analysis.
• Implications for practice and plans for dissemination
5. The following may be included as appendices:
• Reference list (maximum of three pages)
• Data collection instruments
• Informed consent
6. Students must include a letter of support for the proposed project from their research advisor.
7. Letters of agreement from others participating in the project (e.g., consultants) must be included when appropriate.
8. A two page biographical sketch, highlighting the applicant's education, work experience, and credentials for conducting the project. In the case of collaborative applications, a bio sketch for the individual who will be responsible for the project (such as principal investigator or project director) must also be included.

Research Grant Guidelines

The following guidelines are pertinent to all applications:

1. Any applicant, except for generic baccalaureate nursing students, must be a registered nurse with a current and valid registered nurse license.
2. Applicants applying for grants for projects conducted as part of an educational program must be matriculated students in an accredited baccalaureate, master's, or doctoral program and provide evidence of same.
3. The project must be related to perioperative nursing practice.
4. For studies that involve human or animal subjects, the proposal must have been reviewed by the appropriate Institutional Review Board or Committee for the protection of human/animal subjects. Evidence of this approval must be included in the application.
5. The application must be prepared according to the submission guidelines.
6. Expenses incurred prior to funding approval are not the responsibility of AORN.
7. Funds for investigator salaries are not appropriate. Funds awarded are to be used only for the expenses related to the actual study. Research assistants' and consultants' time can be funded, as long as the amount is less than 50% of the total required. Funds will be sent to the applicant or the applicant's institution, according to the guidelines in the AORN policy for recipients of funds through AORN.
8. Funds to purchase computer software to be used as part of the research project (e.g., a statistical analysis program) may be requested. Funds to purchase hardware are not permitted and should not be requested.
9. If funds are awarded, all applicants must submit interim reports at 6 month intervals. The first report is due 6 months after the project begins. At the conclusion of the project a final report must be submitted. All reports are sent to AORN.
10. Within six months of completion of the study, a final bound report must be submitted to the AORN library.
11. Submit a manuscript reporting the research findings to the AORN Journal for potential publication within one year of completion of the study.

Completed applications should be sent to the following address:

 Nursing Research Grant Program
Attn: Robin Chard, PhD, RN, CNOR
Center for Nursing Practice 
Association of periOperative Registered Nurses
2170 South Parker Road, Suite 300
Denver, CO 80231-5711

Questions about the AORN Research Grant Program should be directed to the Research and Nursing Resources Department at 800-755-2676, Ext. 236.

Duplicate research funding through AORN is not permitted. However, funding from multiple sources may be obtained. When there is a competition for funds, preference will be given to AORN members.