2002 — Fostering VA/DoD Health Care Research Collaboration

Reiber GE, VA Puget Sound Health Care System; Resnik L,  Steager P, 

Workshop Objectives:
Increasing research collaboration is a VA/DoD goal. While the number of direct sharing agreements between VA Medical Centers and DoD Military Treatment Facilities is increasing, VA/DoD collaborative research has been slower to advance. To foster increasing joint research, VA HSRandD funded a second edition of the "VA/DoD Collaboration Guidebook for Healthcare Research." This Guidebook synthesizes the knowledge of dozens of experts from the VA and DoD research communities and provides a comprehensive overview of material relevant to collaborative human research projects. The objectives of this workshop are to 1) discuss the roadmap to navigate the VA/DoD research process, 2) provide strategies for successful completion of the administrative, funding and contracting mechanisms of both agencies, and 3) provide tips, success stories and links to available resources. There are many research funding sources in the DoD. This workshop will help participants interested or involved in collaborative research studies understand some of the issues in cross-agency research and will provide guidance on cross-agency research opportunities.

Activities:
The workshop, led by VA and DoD research and administrative staff, will first update participants on major research changes in DoD. We will discuss the types, benefits and challenges of interagency research collaboration and current VA and DoD funding opportunities. Specific direction will be provided on identifying collaborators, planning, crafting and submitting proposals and formalizing collaborations. Participants will receive a copy of the 2nd Edition of the Guidebook. Panel members will provide current strategies, review resources and share success stories. Half of the workshop will be devoted to a discussion of participants' issues in establishing and conducting cross-agency research.

Target Audience:
HSRandD researchers, leaders and administrators.

Assumed Audience Familiarity with Topic:
Research familiarity only.