Funding Applications Research Articles

Patient and public involvement in the design of an international clinical trial: real world experience

BackgroundThe value of patient and public involvement (PPI) during the earliest stages of clinical trial development, and prior to the award of substantive funding, is widely recognised. However, it is often under-resourced and PPI processes during this phase are rarely reported in detail. Having benefitted from seed funding to develop an international clinical trial proposal, we sought to describe and appraise PPI activities and processes that support pre-award co-development.MethodsA 12-month “accelerator” award facilitated development of a substantive funding application to deliver the Rheumatoid Arthritis Prevention PlatfORm Trial (RAPPORT), conceived to prioritise preventative interventions for people at risk of RA. PPI partners, including individuals at risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), RA patients, relatives and members of the public, provided feedback on key trial design issues through online meetings, a feedback form and emails. PPI processes employed during the one-year accelerator project were thereafter evaluated by PPI partners using an anonymous online feedback form with reference to National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) UK standards for public involvement in research.ResultsSixteen out of the 25-strong PPI partner panel completed an online feedback form (64%). Respondents perceived PPI processes positively in relation to all NIHR standard domains. Several key facilitators and challenges were identified, including the need for adequate PPI funding during pre-award phases of research, strategies for creating an inclusive environment, flexibility around levels of involvement, and challenges in achieving representatively diverse participation, and the importance of communicating transparent processes for role-assignment and time-reimbursement.ConclusionsIn general, RAPPORT was considered an example of PPI well done, and in line with UK standards for public involvement in research. Facilitators and challenges of relevance for the development of future translational and clinical trial funding applications are highlighted.

Penerapan Analisis Faktor dalam Menentukan Faktor-Faktor yang Mempengaruhi Keputusan Belanja Online Melalui Aplikasi Shopee (Studi Kasus: Mahasiswa Universitas Sumatera Utara)

Factor analysis is a statistical method aimed at exploring correlations or relationships among variables studied, which are then grouped into fewer new factors. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is a statistical technique used to reduce the dimensions of data with the goal of identifying hidden patterns or significant structures within the data. The research results indicate the presence of 5 factors influencing the decision-making process in online shopping among students of the University of North Sumatra via Shopee, namely the Funding Application Factor (28.141%), Information Reputation Factor (13.983%), Communication Satisfaction Factor (7.452%), Types and Compensation Factor (6.683%), and Guarantees and Prices Factor (5.794%). These five factors obtained a cumulative variance of 62.051%, indicating that they influence online shopping decisions through Shopee among University of North Sumatra students by 62.051%.

Building locally anchored implementation science capacity: the case of the adolescent HIV implementation science alliance-supported local iS alliances.

The Fogarty International Center-led Adolescent HIV Implementation Science Alliance (AHISA) supports region-/country-specific implementation science (IS) alliances that build collaborations between research, policy, and program partners that respond to local implementation challenges. AHISA supported the development of seven locally-led IS alliances: five country-specific (i.e., Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia), one in Central and West Africa, and one with youth researchers. This article outlines the aims, activities, and outcomes of local alliances, demonstrating how they enhance sustainable IS activities to address local challenges. We conducted a desk review of each alliance's funding applications, reports, and data from the initial findings of a larger AHISA evaluation. The review analyzes common approaches, highlights their local relevance, and summarizes initial outcomes. The local alliances have a common goal: to expand implementation of successful interventions to improve adolescent HIV. We identified four overarching themes across the local alliances' activities: capacity building, priority setting, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge dissemination. Research capacity building activities include long-term mentorship between junior and senior researchers and short-term training for non-research partners. Setting priorities with members identifies local research needs and streamlines activities. Alliances incorporate substantial engagement between partners, particularly youth, who may serve as leaders and co-create activities. Dissemination shares activities and results broadly. Local IS alliances play a key role in building sustainable IS learning and collaboration platforms, enabling improved uptake of evidence into policy and programs, increased IS research capacity, and shared approaches to addressing implementation challenges.

Walmart Foundation grants available for local community projects

The Walmart Foundation is currently accepting applications for funding under its Spark Good Local Grant program, which it established to support nonprofit organizations operating within the service areas of individual U.S.‐based Walmart stores, Sam's Clubs and logistics facilities. These grants are smaller and more locally focused than the foundation's national programs, which tend to fund a broader range of program areas, and range from $250 up to $5,000 each, the foundation said.

The Steps and Challenges in Preparing a Grant Application.

The authors describe the phases (conceptualizing, actualizing, and ensuring success of science) necessary for developing a successful research grant application for funding. Emphasis is on the development of an important and novel research question, clear conceptualization of the study, development of specific aims, theory to guide the study, a well-designed approach, and the role of teamwork to enhance success. The challenges that can occur during these phases of grant writing are also addressed.

Exploring Public, Practitioner and Policymaker Perspectives of Unhealthy Lifestyle Factors in the Context of Socioeconomic Deprivation: A Qualitative Study.

Unhealthy lifestyle factors, such as smoking, high alcohol intake, poor diet and physical inactivity, are key risk factors for premature mortality. How unhealthy lifestyle factors are viewed in the wider context of socioeconomic deprivation is rarely considered. Understanding key stakeholder views on lifestyle factors in the context of deprivation is critical to intervention development and reducing harm in more deprived populations. The aim of this study was to explore public, healthcare professional and policymaker views around unhealthy lifestyle factors in the context of deprivation. The aim was broad to facilitate iterative development of ideas, as the views of this wide range of stakeholders are rarely captured. Twenty-five adult members of the public in Scotland took part in four focus groups between August 2022 and June 2023. Eighteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with professionals: 12 primary-care practitioners and 6 public-health practitioners and policymakers. Reflexive thematic analysis was undertaken. Four main themes were developed: (1) Evolving complexity of lifestyle factors - the number of lifestyle factors that adversely impact health has grown, with increasingly complex interactions, (2) Social determinants of lifestyle - numerous links were made between socioeconomic conditions and unhealthy lifestyle factors by all participants, (3) Poverty as a fundamental social determinant - poverty was identified as a core factor for unhealthy lifestyle factors, and (4) Agency versus structure in relation to lifestyle - individual agency to address lifestyle factors was limited by structural constraints. Among professionals, understanding the challenging social determinants of unhealthy lifestyle factors was countered by a desire to support healthy change in those affected by deprivation. Public and professional views around lifestyle highlight an evolving understanding of the new and growing number of lifestyle factors as well as the increasingly complex interplay between lifestyle factors. Views of the social determinants of lifestyle and structural limits to agency strengthen arguments for reduced emphasis on individual-level responsibility for unhealthy lifestyle factors and for deeper integration of social determinants into lifestyle interventions. In addition to addressing poverty and socioeconomic inequalities directly, innovative policy, planning and legislation that incorporate wider approaches could tackle upstream determinants of numerous unhealthy lifestyle factors simultaneously. Members of the public who participated in this study have made contributions by sharing their views and perspectives. The National Health Service Research Scotland Primary Care Patient and Public Involvement (NRS PPI) Group contributed to the development of this work. The NRS PPI Group was consulted as part of the preparatory work for H. M. E. F.'s doctoral thesis funding application. The findings of the qualitative work were presented to them, and they informed the interpretation of those findings and related work presented at conferences and public engagement events.

Mind the gap: causes and consequences of the racial gap in music funding organizations

ABSTRACT This article explores the challenges of applying for and receiving music funding for Canadian music workers identifying as Indigenous, Black, or as a person of colour (IBPOC). Using survey data from the Canadian Live Music Association we find evidence of a racialized gap in music funding. Interviews with IBPOC music workers reveal the causes and consequences of the racial funding gap: there are limitations to worker agency wrought by gaps in knowledge of funding opportunities; perceived bias in favour of majority White-racialized music genres; and bureaucratic contradictions in funding applications that disadvantage IBPOC applicants. We argue that the conceptual tenets of racialized organizations and theories of racial inequality in cultural policy and creative organizations explain why gaps in funding persist, despite stated efforts to the contrary. We conclude by outlining a model of how music funding organizations exemplify racializing processes and offer policy implications for scholars and practitioners of arts funding.

ORGANIZATIONAL PRINCIPLES OF EXTENSION OF GRANT AID FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL AREAS

The article is devoted to developing and substantiating the critical elements of the mechanism for developing and submitting an application for grant funding for developing a rural community or an agrarian business entity. It is substantiated that there is a need to significantly expand the involvement of external funding sources for the formation and development of human capital in rural areas. It was determined that the reserve of such funding is to increase rural communities' access to grant programs of international organizations and partner countries. It was determined that in expanding grant aid for developing rural areas in Ukraine, especially in wartime conditions, it is essential to consider the main reasons for the grantors' refusal to provide financial support. The most relevant reasons include violation of requirements for the form and content of documents, lack of convincing justification of the social utility of the project and reasoned calculation, inconsistency between the purpose of the grant program and the goals of the project, incompatibility of the nature of the program and the application, violation of requirements regarding the target audience, bad reputation of the applicant, lack of of the detailed project budget, as well as the inconsistency of the formulation of project tasks with the basic methodological principles of construction (SMART analysis). An organizational mechanism for developing and applying for grant funding for developing a rural community or an agrarian business entity is proposed. This mechanism has methodological value because it focuses on the most critical stages of the process of development and submission of an application for grant financing of the project, determines the approximate circle of stakeholders of the grant process, emphasizes the conditions and factors that help to count on success in the grant competition. In contrast to the existing approaches, it highlights the phasing, as well as the list and content of measures during the development and submission of an application for the project's grant funding.

Sustainable Marketing: Integrating Green Marketing Practices into Marketing Strategy

This study aims to explore the impact of Green Marketing practices on the financial performance of companies in Indonesia, focusing on variables such as Environmental Practices, Consumer Knowledge, and Company Commitment. The research method used involves quantitative analysis by collecting data through questionnaires distributed to managers and staff in the banking sector. The data obtained were then analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, including validity, reliability, and direct effect hypothesis testing. The results of the study indicate that Company Commitment has the most significant influence on Financial Impact, followed by Environmental Practices. Although Consumer Knowledge does not show a significant direct effect, the application of digital technology and funding of green projects generally contribute positively to financial results. This study also identified that the integration of environmentally friendly practices can improve operational efficiency and brand reputation, as well as meet the demands of consumers who are increasingly concerned about environmental issues. These findings provide strategic guidance for companies to optimize sustainable marketing practices and achieve long-term benefits.

A scoping review of patient and public involvement in empirical stroke research.

Impactful, evidence-based solutions in surveillance, prevention, acute care, and rehabilitation for stroke survivors are required to address the high global burden of stroke. Patient and public involvement (PPI), where patients, their families, and the public are actively involved as research partners, enhances the relevance, credibility, and impact of stroke-related research. This scoping review, adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) Scoping Review guidelines, aims to identify and summarize how PPI is currently implemented and reported in empirical stroke research using a participatory approach. A comprehensive search strategy was developed and implemented across Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsynchINFO, and Cochrane electronic databases, supplemented by gray literature searches. Empirical stroke research articles in the English language, published from 2014 up to 2023, and documenting PPI activity were included. Of the 18,143 original articles identified, 2824 full-text manuscripts matching from this time window were screened. Only 2% (n = 72) of these directly reported embedded PPI activity in empirical research. The majority were qualitative in design (60%) and conducted in high-income countries (96%). Only one included study originated from a developing country, where the burden of stroke is highest. Most studies (94%) provided some information about the activities carried out with their PPI partners, mainly centered on the study design (57%) and management (64%), with only 4% of studies integrating PPI across all research cycle phases from funding application to dissemination. When studies were examined for compliance with the Guidance for Reporting Involvement of Patients and the Public (GRIPP) short-form checklist, only 11% of included studies were 100% compliant. Twenty-one studies (29%) reported barriers and facilitators to including PPI in stroke research. Organization, authentic partnership, and experienced PPI representatives were common facilitators and identified barriers reflected concerns around adequate funding, time required, and diversity in perspectives. A positive reporting bias for PPI impact was observed, summarized as keeping the patient perspective central to the research process, improved care of study participants, validation of study findings, and improved communication/lay-summaries of complex research concepts. PPI is underutilized and inconsistently reported in current empirical stroke research. PPI must become more widely adopted, notably in low- and middle-income countries. Consensus-driven standards for inclusion of PPI by funding organizations and publishers are required to support its widespread adoption.

PERAN APLIKASI DANA DALAM MENDORONG PENINGKATAN TRANSAKSI DIGITAL DI MASYARAKAT

In Indonesia, many people do not understand the role of Fintech in transactions, especially in the DANA application. People tend to use cash rather than Fintech. Moreover, people in rural areas lack insight into technology, lack literacy, and do not support MSMEs that use Fintech (DANA) This research aims to determine the role of fund applications in encouraging increased digital transactions in society. As well as encouraging readers how important applications are in the economy and the role of fund applications in facilitating transactions, doing business, investment, loans, and others. In this article readers can find out the fund profile starting from the business strategy and history of DANA's development. The method that researchers use is a qualitative descriptive method so that readers can find out some of the information included from some of the data collected, which means the data obtained by researchers is opinions according to several articles that have been included in the bibliography. The conclusion of this research is that we must be aware of how important the role of Fintech (DANA) is in Indonesia, especially in the aspect of improving the economy and digital literacy, because with Fintech MSMEs can be more advanced because they make payments efficient and increase people's digital literacy.

NORMA SUBYEKTIF DAN SELF-EFFICACY DALAM PENERIMAAN APLIKASI REKSA DANA DAN SAHAM

Mutual funds and shares are investment elements that are more volatile compared to gold, but in the long term they are quite profitable elements. This can be seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian-Ukrainian war crisis, and the bankruptcy of a large bank in America, this investment element still provides profits. The financial technology industry also provides various service applications on mobile phones or smartphones that make it easier for people to invest in mutual funds and shares. This research analyzes the determinants of Indonesian society's acceptance of stock mutual fund applications using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and adding two external variables, namely subjective norms and self-efficacy. This research uses Structural Equation Model-Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS) to test the hypothesis. The results show that all TAM variables and subjective norms have an influence, but self-efficacy does not influence interest in using mutual fund and stock applications. In order to increase public acceptance of mutual fund and stock investment applications, and then interest in using them, service providers should improve the ease of operation and usefulness of their applications. Efforts should also be made to encourage people to recommend each other to invest through this application.

Politicizing science funding undermines public trust in science, academic freedom, and the unbiased generation of knowledge.

This commentary documents how federal funding agencies are changing the criteria by which they distribute taxpayer money intended for scientific research. Increasingly, STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) funding agencies are requiring applicants for funding to include a plan to advance DEI ("Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion") in their proposals and to dedicate a part of the research budget to its implementation. These mandates undermine the academic freedom of researchers and the unbiased generation of knowledge needed for a well-functioning democracy. Maintaining excellence in science is fundamental to the continuation of the U.S. as a global economic leader. Science provides a basis for solving important global challenges such as security, energy, climate, and health. Diverting funding from science into activities unrelated to the production of knowledge undermines science's ability to serve humankind. When funding agencies politicize science by using their power to further a particular ideological agenda, they contribute to public mistrust in science. Hijacking science funding to promote DEI is thus a threat to our society.

Power to the researchers: Calculating power after estimation

AbstractThis study demonstrates a simple and reliable method for calculating ex post power. We first conduct a series of Monte Carlo experiments to assess its performance. The experiments are designed to produce artificial datasets that resemble actual data from 23 studies funded by the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie). After determining that the method performs adequately, we then apply it to the 23 studies and compare their ex post power with the ex‐ante power claimed on their funding applications. We find the average ex post power of the 3ie studies is close to 80%. However, there are more estimates of low power than would be expected if all studies had 80% true power. Most of the differences between ex post and ex ante power can be explained by differences between planned and actual total observations, number of clusters, and the degree of intracluster correlation. This demonstrates how ex post power can be used by funders to evaluate previously funded research and identify areas for improved power estimation in future research. We further show how ex post power can aid in the interpretation of both insignificant and significant estimates.

Competitive grants in autonomous public schools: how school principals are labouring for public school funding

AbstractThis paper examines competitive grants for public schools, as a form of additional funding from the government. We draw on interviews with principals from different states in Australia to examine systemic impacts of competitive grants for public schools, exploring this in relation to school autonomy. Public school principals are labouring to generate additional school funding via competitive applications from the traditional state government, to supplement their core or regular government funding. The competitive applications are to fund what many would consider rudimentary or fundamental resources, such as school infrastructure and student wellbeing programs. For the interviewed principals, the drive to generate more funding was anchored within significant government funding shortfalls in public schools. The majority of interviewees did not find the funding model to be ‘needs-based’ or responsive. Autonomous public schools presented many paradoxes and contradictions, particularly in under-funded contexts; whilst on one hand, principals are tasked with managing their budgets, the majority experienced the environment as highly inflexible and often punitive, laden with bureaucratic red tape. The majority of interviewees expressed notions of responsibilisation for generating additional funds. In this context, we found that competitive funding applications increase school principal work intensification, with principals spending excessive time labouring to generate additional funding via competitive grant applications, in order to fund essential school projects. The labour involved in completing time-demanding funding applications supplants their traditional responsibilities and is critically reshaping their role as a school principal, to one of ‘grant applier’ and fundraiser, reinforcing the retreat of the traditional state.

Impact of credit rating downgrades and tightness of accounting standards on earnings management in listed SMES

Due to its nature, funding remains the main problem for listed small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) globally. To overcome such a problem, there is a trend of using credit rating as the benchmark to appraise funding opportunities and applications in listed SMEs. As credit rating levels vary across time, subject to the performance of the listed SMEs, changes in the credit rating levels might trigger attention from listed SMEs, and actions might then be taken by the management to ensure that the credit rating is at the desired level. Since the literature in this strand of study is limited, this study aimed to examine the effect of credit rating downgrade and tightness of accounting standards on earnings management in listed SMEs. Employing a 2x3 between-subjects experiment manipulating credit rating downgrades (category or notch) and tightness of accounting standards (less tight, moderately tight, tight), it is evidenced that credit rating downgrades, especially notch downgrades, lead to more earnings management behaviors in the presence of a tight and less tight set of accounting standards. Different classifications of credit rating downgrades – notches and categories – will have different implications for earnings management based on the extent to which they are subject to external monitoring. As a practical matter, it is recommended that regulators exercise equal monitoring regardless of whether credit rating downgrades occur by category or notch.

Cryptic late-onset myocarditis after coronavirus vaccination.

As we enter a new era of mRNA-based therapeutics, evidence on genetic or environmental factors that might predispose to unknown off-target side effects, gains in importance. Among these factors, exercise appears likely to have influenced otherwise cryptic cases of early-onset postvaccination myocarditis. And the existence of a distinct late-onset myocarditis is now being recognized. Here, three case-history reports suggest crypticity (the author's own case), unless provoked by a preexisting cardiac morbidity (one case), or by immune checkpoint blockade to enhance anticancer autoimmunity (several cases). These reports are supported by noninvasive fluorodeoxyglucose-based cardiac scan comparisons of multiple vaccinated and unvaccinated subjects. In pre-pandemic decades, applications for funds by the leading innovator in mRNA-based therapeutics seldom gained peer-review approval. Thus, at the start of the pandemic, the meager data on such side effects could justify only emergency approval. We must do better.

Funding Black-led micro-organisations in England

This article presents an approach aimed at dealing with the difficulties faced by Black-led micro-organisations in England when accessing longer-term funding. The experiences of Black-led micro-organisations working in partnership with a mainstream organisation and a mid-level minority ethnic organisation are reported in the article. The participants of the research attributed the Black-led micro-organisations’ difficulties in accessing funds to institutional racism. To overcome this, the micro-organisations received targeted funding through a partnership that not only makes funding more accessible, but also builds the capacity of the Black-led micro-organisations. This was because a micro-organisation on its own or as a group of micro-organisations would not have been successful in a funding application. The formation of the three-tier partnership came with many challenges, but ultimately with the building of trust by skilled leadership and the right individuals, the Black-led micro-organisations were able to access sustainable long-term funding.

Analisis Dana Talangan Pendidikan dalam Perspektif Ekonomi Islam: Studi Kasus Dana Cita Universitas Pelita Bangsa

The aim of this research is to analyze the costs of education funds at Dana Cita, Pelita Bangsa University. The research method used is descriptive qualitative research. Primary data sources were obtained through interviews with Dana Cita. The results of this research indicate that the application of funding for education funding is using a qardh ijarah agreement. Talang funds are a form of multi-service transaction through the use of an Ijarah contract which is based on an agreement between the bank and customer financing and requires customer financing to pay off debts and obligations. This educational savings fund product is a product that makes things easier for customers, where this product is a solution for customers who have difficulty paying fees for their children to continue their studies or complete their studies.

Adapting Sunset Song: Authorial, Industrial, and National Discourses in the 2015 Film Adaptation of Sunset Song

This article traces the discourses shaping the 2015 film adaptation of Sunset Song, directed by Terence Davies. In doing so, it shows how both the film and Lewis Grassic Gibbon's original novel are involved in complex negotiations of ideas about Scottishness. In the case of the film, this is evident in its sophisticated and poetic visual engagement with some aspects of the novel's characterization of Chris Guthrie, its use of language, and its representation of landscapes. The same negotiations are apparent in paratextual materials that demonstrate the route taken by the producers and director when navigating the fraught economic terrain of feature-length filmmaking in Scotland, both in terms of funding applications to national funder Creative Scotland, and the way it mobilized particular discourses of arthouse and auteur cinema in its marketing and production materials. Finally, through a close look at the emphasis on militarism, femininity, and landscape in the film text, the article considers how the film performs a kind of Scotland that is amenable to the tastes of the filmmaker, the desires of the public funder, and the arthouse film festival circuit where it was primarily consumed.