2026 DHSA Nursing Research Competition

Call for Abstracts

 

DHSA is pleased to announce our 2026 research grant program with a focus on Nursing. We invite nursing research proposals from all DHSA’s member institutions to participate in a dynamic “Shark Tank” style event featuring live presentations and real time judging and awarding. This is a unique opportunity to showcase innovative research and secure funding for projects that impact nursing and patient care.

This year, proposals are required to have a nursing focus and impact on direct patient care. 

Background

This grant was established in 2023 to foster innovation and collaboration in the advancement of nursing research.

The DHSA Research Competition was established in 2019 to foster collaboration between colleagues at our member institutions.  We favor projects in population health and encourage multidisciplinary collaborations with strong community engagement.

DHSA was established in 2009 with four founding partners – ChristianaCare, Nemours Children’s Health, Thomas Jefferson University, and the University of Delaware.  Since then, additional partners have joined including the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bayhealth, the Delaware Academy of Medicine and Public Health, Beebe Healthcare, Delaware State University, and Delaware Technical Community College.

DHSA aligns resources and efforts to create a unique, broad-based alliance, focused on establishing innovative collaboration among experts in medical practice, health economics and policy, population sciences, public health, biomedical sciences and engineering, research, medical education, and healthcare workforce development.

The alliance enables partner organizations to collaborate and conduct cutting-edge research, to improve the health of Delawareans through access to services in the state and region, and to educate the next generation of health care professionals.

Guide for Researchers

The deadline to submit proposals is 11:59pm Sunday, March 1, 2026

Prime applicant institution must be a DHSA Member Institution
Proposals must include the following:

  • Researcher’s Name(s)
  • Structured Abstract, including the overall research plan, innovative aspect of the proposal, budget, and budget justification
    • Budget limitations
      • Salary*, fringe benefits, and indirect expenses are not allowable
        • *salary unallowable for anyone directly employed by a DHSA member institution regardless of full or part time status, hourly or salary
      • A letter of support from each applicant’s Department chair or institutional leaders such as VP of Research or VP of Academic Affairs (or equivalents) is expected. If collaboration among DHSA member institutions is a component of the proposal, letters should include support of this joint effort.
      • Proposals with collaborative efforts across multiple DHSA Member Institutions will be weighted higher in the review process.
      • Proposals must prioritize impact on Delaware populations.
      • Proposed initiatives must have a direct impact on nursing and patient care.
      • DHSA will award up to a total of $30,000 between no more than two grantees.

Please submit all proposals to Pamela Gardner, DHSA Director, (pgardner@dhsa.org) no later than 11:59pm Sunday, March 1, 2026.  Proposals submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Process of Review:

  • All proposals will be vetted by a review committee.
  • The top three scoring proposals will be invited to the final in-person presentation and pitch to the DHSA panel in the Spring 202
    • Date, location, and format of event to be announced.
    • Finalists will have fifteen minutes to verbally pitch their proposal and the panel (along with community members) will have time allotted to ask questions.
    • It is expected that teams will be present for the entire event.
    • A rubric will be utilized by the panel and a numerical score will be given to each proposal.
    • The researchers with the highest score will be announced the winner(s) to fund their proposal and work.

In the event initial proposal scores are too close to determine the top three finalists, teams may be requested to give a brief presentation virtually to determine teams advancing to finals.

DHSA reserves the right to evaluate the final project and timeline one year after awarding funds.  If funds have not been utilized after 12 months, upon review, DHSA will either grant an extension of time or require unused funds be returned to DHSA. 

For any inquiries about the call for abstracts or event, please contact Pamela Gardner (pgardner@dhsa.org).  We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,Omar Khan, MD MHS

President & CEO, Delaware Health Sciences Alliance
okhan@dhsa.org