Health Disparities Outcomes Research Support Program

Research in Health Disparities Outcomes

Differences in social and built environments, socioeconomic and living conditions, health-risk behaviors such as tobacco use, obesity, lack of access to healthy foods, and access to and use of quality health care services are important social determinants contributing to persistent health disparities between population groups and geographic areas.

Research on these conditions and interventions to address health disparities is vital to achieve improvements, particularly in the areas of New York City in which TCOP faculty, students, and alumni are so engaged. As frontline providers—frequently in the most interactive role within our communities—pharmacists can contribute in critical ways to gathering and analyzing relevant data and proposing solutions to these entrenched societal challenges.

Grant Program Aims and Structure

Consistent with the overarching goals of our HRSA grant, the COE Health Disparities Outcomes Research Support Program was launched to foster development of faculty, fellow, resident, and student scholarship that seeks to reduce health disparities and is directed towards improving patient outcomes especially in underserved communities in New York City. We continue to refine this program over time based upon experience and resources that are available.

Research project proposals from TCOP faculty, fellows, residents, and students can be submitted for funding considerations. For research projects involving fellows, residents or students, a faculty member must be the primary applicant for funding, with a proposal for funds to cover allowable costs for the project work that is being carried out by the fellow, resident, or student.

The grant program has two thrusts:

• Existing Research Project: Travel or Publication Award: for faculty/fellow/resident/student travel to a local or national professional society meeting to present results of an ongoing research project related to health outcomes research or to cover a publication cost resulting from such research. Amount: $1,500 maximum for one investigator for conference travel/registration; $3,000 maximum for a collaborative and/or student engaged project for travel/registration; $3,000 maximum for a publication cost. Costs must be incurred prior to June 30, 2026.
• Planned Research Project Award: for a short-term or pilot research project that aims to result in a professional society poster or other presentation ($3,000 maximum, which may be complemented by other internal research funds from TCOP or Touro University).
  
  

  Including analysis and presentation/presentation/publication, the project may run for up to 12 months from start of the award, but all project costs supported by COE funding must be incurred by June 30, 2026. No compensation for effort by the faculty member, fellow, resident or student may be requested.

  Allowable costs include research assistant compensation and other direct project costs such as materials and supplies, local travel, and human subjects payments; computer hardware or software that are not otherwise available and are essential to the project may be requested.

  Projects previously supported under this program are not eligible for additional funding.

Application Process

A short application is required using Arial 11 font, single spacing, and 0.5-inch margins:

• Travel/Publication proposals should not exceed one page and include:
  • Project Title and Abstract
  • Background and Importance
  • Statement of how the research is reflective of health outcomes research
  • Plans for dissemination of results (conference presentation, manuscript, or abstract submission, etc.)
  • Budget and Justification; any complementary funding from other sources should be identified.
  • Funding is contingent on acceptance of a conference poster on journal publication
• Research proposals not to exceed 3 pages and address the following:
  
  • Project Title
  • Purpose Statement: A succinct statement as to the research question for the project.
  • Statement of how the research is reflective of health outcomes research
  • Background: A short summary of previously published studies that also address the research question and a statement about how your study might add to the existing literature.
  • Introduction: Project purpose, study outcome/aims (e.g., primary, secondary), and project rationale.
  • Methodology: All methods to be used to complete the project, including study design, inclusion/exclusion criteria, date collection elements, data collection tool, definitions (as appropriate), database (as appropriate), etc.
  • Data/Statistical analysis: Describe including the statistical software program being used. Be sure to explain how the study design and sample size (if appropriate) will/did adequately allow you to answer the research question.
  • Potential/anticipated significance to pharmacy practice.
  • Relevant experience of investigator/research team.
  • Timetable: From start of project to completion, taking into account any appropriate compliance approvals to be secured. Compliance requirements/approvals, e.g., human subjects approvals (applicants should be aware that compliance approvals can take a considerable amount of effort and time to secure, especially when sites other than Touro may be involved, e.g., a clinical setting). Timetable: From start of project to completion, taking into account any appropriate compliance approvals to be secured.
  • Budget and Justification; any complementary funding from other sources should be identified.
  • For pilot projects, indicate where you might seek future funding to expand the project, either through an internal grant program (e.g., the Touro University/New York Presidential Research Development Grant program) or by application to an external sponsor.
  • References formatted appropriately.

How and Where to Submit a Proposal

The proposal should be submitted via email to Glenn Davis, the COE Project Manager, at glenn.davis5@touro.edu, by no later than November 15,2025 . Awards are expected to commence on or about December 15, 2025. Questions about this program may be directed to Dean Shah as the COE Project Director.

Awards Selection

Awards will be recommended to Dean Cohen for approval by a committee consisting of the COE Leadership (Dean Shah, Dr. Unni, and Dr. Fuchs) and Dean Loewy.

Awards will be announced on or about December 15, 2025.

Summary Project Report

• For travel or publication awards, a copy of the presentation or publication should be filed with Glenn Davis by no later than July 10, 2026.
• For research awards ending June 30, 2026, a summary final report of results should be submitted to Glenn Davis by no later than July 10, 2026. For research awards ending after that date, an interim report should be filed by no later than July 10, 2026, and a final report should be submitted within 15 days after the end date of the project award period.

Acknowledgment of Support

All awardees must acknowledge the COE Health Outcomes Research Support Program in poster presentations and publications as set forth in the notice of award they receive.