Faculty-Generated Research Grant Program

The program funds projects that propose rigorous, sophisticated methods and analyses to address novel research questions. To accomplish these goals, PAEA provides a substantial investment of up to $50,000 for a meaningful study that expands the existing body of knowledge on PA education and/or the PA profession.

This funding can be used for expenses such as supplementing personnel salary to protect dedicated time for their research, collecting data, traveling to a clinical site, funding a student research assistant (including a work-study student), or purchasing materials needed for research.

The overall goals of the PAEA Faculty-Generated Research Grants program are to:

  • Promote quality scholarship regarding PA education and the PA field
  • Increase research capacity and collaboration across institutions
  • Encourage the development and training of emerging PA researchers

Early-career faculty and applicants that have submitted in previous years are especially encouraged to apply. While all proposals will be considered, preference will favor projects that address PAEA’s two key priority areas below. Projects that involve collaboration between member institutions and/or mentorship among experienced and junior PA faculty researchers will also receive special consideration.

  • Increasing clinical education capacity
  • Attracting and retaining students and faculty from diverse backgrounds

Eligibility

The principal investigator (PI) and any co-principal investigators (co-PIs) must be employed at least half-time (≥ .50 FTE) at a PAEA member program in good standing and full-time at the host institution of the PA program.

If a multi-investigator proposal is submitted, PIs and co-PIs should have a proven history of collaboration. The project’s co-PIs and co-investigator(s) (co-I) do not have to be PAs, but a PA must be involved in the project.

How to Apply

Selection for the Faculty-Generated Research Grant program takes place in two stages of peer review: 

  1. Letters of intent (LOIs) must be submitted through the online application platform. PAEA is offering applicants the opportunity to gain a better understanding of what peer reviewers are looking for in a successful letter of intent. If you are interested in applying for the grant, we encourage you to complete this survey and you will be sent a packet that includes three successful LOIs from previous grantees,  providing applicants with an in-depth perspective on the rigorous, original research that awardees have conducted. While this is not required, it is highly recommended for new applicants and early-career faculty. In the end, our goal is to expand grant opportunities to as many different PA faculty and programs as possible. The application cycle will open in Summer 2024.
  2. Finalists will then be invited to submit a longer, more comprehensive full proposal for funding consideration. 

Question Icon

For more information on how to apply, please review the submission guidelines. Need advice or mentorship on your project? The PAEA Research Team is available to answer questions and provide guidance on proposals. Please send your request to Research@PAEAonline.org or call 703-651-8540.

Current Recipient

  • 2021-2022 Recipient: Using a best-worst scaling experiment to identify patient preferences for their primary care provider (PCP)
    Chris Gillette, PhD, Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Previous Recipients

  • 2020-2021 Recipient: Building a Regional Center of Excellence for Optimizing Clinical Education: A Randomized-Controlled Crossover Study of an Innovative Telehealth Model for PA Programs (The BRITE Study)
    Shani Fleming, MSHS, MPH, PA-C, University of Maryland Baltimore
  • 2019-2020 Recipient: What’s Working? A National Assessment of Best Practices in Diversifying the Physician Assistant Workforce
    Carolyn Bradley-Guidry, DrPH, PA-C, BSN, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
  • 2018-2019 Recipient: Measuring the Value of Physician Assistants in Emergency Medicine Practice
    Tamara Ritsema, PhD, MPH, PA-C, The George Washington University
  • 2017-2018 Recipient: Best Practices in Onboarding PAs
    Perri Morgan PhD, PA-C, Duke University School of Medicine
  • 2016-2017 Recipient: Critical Thinking: Impact on PA Students and Programs
    Anthony Miller, MEd, PA-C, Shenandoah University
  • 2015-2016 Recipient: A National and State Level Analysis of Job Openings for Physician Assistants
    Perri Morgan, PhD, PA-C, Duke University School of Medicine