Education Research Grant to Evaluate an AAN CME Program/Project

AAN Definition of Education Research: The AAN defines “education research” as the qualitative and quantitative study of hypothesis-driven observations or interventions on the acquisition of knowledge or training. (Definition reviewed/approved by AAN Board of Directors in February 2006.)

Goal of Project:

To better understand if AAN CME is having a sustained impact on learners.

Research Objectives: Proposals may be developed to:

  1. Study the effectiveness of AAN neurologic educational programs/products to ensure they are meeting the life-long needs of their constituents (i.e. medical students, residents, fellows, and practicing neurologists). In particular, do educational programs have a sustained impact on patient care provided by the learner?
  2. Strengthen the educational programs of the AAN for quality improvement and continued credentialing (i.e. ACCME accreditation)

Eligibility Requirements:

• The principal investigator must be an Associate or Active member of the AAN.

• Medical Students, Residents, and Fellows (Student and Junior Member categories) are not eligible.

Applications must be no longer than 12 single-spaced pages (3/4 in margin and 12 pt font minimum) and must include the following: title page, research abstract, research proposal, references, IRB status, and budget. An NIH biosketch (2-4 pages) and letter(s) of endorsement are also required, but are not included in the 12-page limit. Below is additional information on each of the requirements:

    1. Title Page: Include project title, principal investigator’s name, title, institutional affiliation, address, phone number, fax number, and email address, as well as the names, titles, and institutional affiliations of the other investigators.
    2. Research Abstract: Include a summary (up to 250 words) of your proposal for future publications.
    3. Research Proposal: Select an AAN CME program/product to study (e.g. AAN Annual Meeting course, Continuum, NeuroPI, Neurology Journal CME). Include hypotheses and aims, methodology including well-defined design, subject population, data analysis, assessment tools, and a timeline. If the research requires specific data or other relevant information from the AAN, this should be stipulated in the proposal.
    4. References: Please use the Neurology (journal) reference style.
    5. IRB Status/Restrictions on Eligibility: Include the status of the IRB’s review of the proposal, contact information for the IRB, and if there are any restrictions on your eligibility. Note: It is preferred that IRB approval be submitted prior to or at the time of the proposal submission.
    6. Budget: The submitted budget must be intrinsic to the methodology (i.e., collecting data) in executing the study. The budget should list a breakdown of costs (by line item) with description and justification of each item. If travel funds to an AAN meeting to present study results is requested, the maximum amount is $500). A maximum of 10% of the total grant budget may be designated for all indirect costs. Applications with the intent to obtain matching funds from another source will be considered, and should include details as appropriate. The detailed budget submitted to the other funding source should be included.
    7. NIH Biosketch: An NIH Biosketch for the principal investigator and other investigators must be submitted with the proposal.
    8. Letter(s) of Endorsement: The proposal must be accompanied by a letter of endorsement from the principal investigator’s institution (e.g., department chair or designated institutional official). If more than one letter of endorsement is included, combine into one pdf document.

Review Process:

Applications will be reviewed, judged, and selected by the Education Research Subcommittee (ERS) based on the following AAN judging/selection criteria:

• What is the impact on the learner?

• Will the study design investigate a lasting effect?

• Does the project measure improved participant learning that is transferred to patient care?

• Can the Performance in Practice infrastructure be used to assess outcome?

• Are the methodology or findings transferable to other educational products?

• Are the statistics sound?

• The adequacy of the budget, timetable, and other key project resources

If a member of the ERS has a conflict of interest relevant to a proposal, that member will abstain from the judging and selection process, and a member(s) of the AAN Education Committee will be asked to serve on the ERS judging/selection panel if the excluded member(s) results in a lack of a quorum for the selection process. Notification of acceptance or rejection of a proposal will be sent in December 2012.

Upon Acceptance:

The AAN will forward a contract to the principal investigator and his/her institution, which will specify exact parameters of the grant (how research is to be conducted, initial design, ongoing data review, protocol modifications, reporting requirements, distribution of funds, etc). Specific arrangements will be made with AAN staff to obtain data from the AAN for study.

The principal investigator must:

  • Submit a letter indicating IRB approval prior to the release of funds
  • Submit progress reports and a year-end (final) report to the AAN
    • Final report to be a maximum of 2 pages including the following sections:
      • When the project was started
      • When the project was completed
      • Did you accomplish what was proposed? If no, why not?
      • Has the work been presented at a scientific meeting and/or published?
      • Will the data collected serve as pilot data for future projects?
      • Budget allocations/residual funds

The award application deadline has passed. Grant recipients will be notified by mid December 2012.

For additional questions, please contact: Nancy Poechmann, Program Manager, Education, at

npoechmann@aan.com or (612) 928-6103.