Funding Opportunities!
Extend the Reach of Health Information!
The National Network of Libraries of Medicine issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) on August 1, 2002, for new outreach projects. Since then, PSRML has received numerous calls from potential applicants who are dreaming big! The Access to Electronic Health Information RFP is soliciting proposals for projects that will improve access to electronic health information for a variety of groups and organizations; these include consumers, underserved and minority health care professionals, public health workers, public libraries, and community-based and faith-based organizations. Single institutions may receive up to $10,000 and a group of two or more institutions may receive up to $40,000 for an 18-month project period. Proposals must be received at PSRML by October 1, 2002. A copy of the RFP and submission information is available at http://nnlm.gov/projects/funding/aehi_rfp2002/index.html. For additional information and assistance with this RFP, please contact Heidi Sandstrom at the PSRML offices.
A similar solicitation, Access to Electronic Health Information for the Public (AEHIP), was issued in 1999, and resulted in six Regional projects that enhanced public access to health information through partnerships with public libraries, community-based organizations, and a middle-school. These projects targeted various special populations, such as children with special needs, and Spanish speaking healthcare consumers. They incorporated web technology in innovative ways, and forged new relationships within communities. AEHIP project websites, proposal summaries, and reports can be found at http://nnlm.gov/psr/projects/aehip.html.
Since 1999, thirty-seven outreach projects in the Pacific Southwest Region have received funding, totaling close to half a million dollars ($454,049). Our Express Outreach Awards are now available on an ongoing basis (see descriptions of 2002 funded projects at http://nnlm.gov/psr/lat/v11n4/ex_outreach_awards.html). The availability of other larger regional and national awards and grants will be announced later this year.
If you are considering the Access to Electronic Health Information RFP or are interested in other sources of funding, please visit the PSRML Funding Opportunities page (http://nnlm.gov/psr/funding_ops.html). Helpful information on proposal writing can be found on the NN/LM Funding page (http://nnlm.gov/funding/#A6/) and regional statistics and population resources can be found on the PSRML web site (click on your state or area on the front page banner at http://nnlm.gov/psr). Finally, begin with the end in mind! Design your proposal with an eye toward measuring its effectiveness. Excellent resources to help you do this can be found at the NN/LM Outreach Evaluation Resource Center (OERC) at http://nnlm.gov/evaluation/. - HS