Submit a Research Proposal

Proposing an IMPAACT Study

Proposals for new IMPAACT studies may be submitted by internal or external investigators in the form of a study concept any time. Concepts are first reviewed through the relevant Scientific Committee (SC). Those approved by the SC will move forward for review and prioritization by the Scientific Leadership Group (SLG). The SLG will determine if development into a full study protocol is warranted. See the IMPAACT Network Manual of Procedures for further details; Section 9 describes the protocol development process and Section 15 describes ancillary studies, including Data Analysis Concept Sheets (DACS), New Works Concept Sheets (NWCS), and Data Requests (DR). The Ancillary Studies overview presentation summarizes MOP guidance for DACS, NWCS, and DR.

The criteria outlined below are used for all stages of study proposal review—concepts and protocols.

• Scientific merit
  • Study is aligned with IMPAACT's scientific agenda and priorities
  • Hypothesis is scientifically sound and can be appropriately tested with the proposed study design
  • Study design and methods will yield the proposed outcomes
• Potential public health impact
  • Study is highly relevant to one or more IMPAACT study populations (infants, children, adolescents, pregnant/postpartum women)
  • Study will answer important public health questions or is in the critical pathway of research toward such answers

• Feasibility and suitability for network implementation
  • Study population is available at IMPAACT-affiliated sites
  • Study conduct is feasible within the network structure
  • Study will benefit from a multisite and multidisciplinary collaboration with network support and oversight

Investigations using data from existing/completed IMPAACT studies and requesting statistical support from the Network should be proposed via a Data Analysis Concept Sheet (DACS).

Investigations using data from existing/completed IMPAACT studies and not requesting statistical support from the Network should be proposed via a Data Request (DR).

Investigations using biological specimens (and/or data) from existing/completed IMPAACT studies should be proposed via a New Work Concept Sheet (NWCS).

Please contact impaact.capsubmissions@fstrf.org with any questions or comments.

>> Click here to view the presentation on IMPAACT Network Ancillary Studies & Investigations 

IMPAACT/ACTG Specimen Repository Interactive Search Tool

The specimen repositories are a collaboration between the ACTG and IMPAACT clinical trial networks to make the large body of specimens collected for HIV research available to investigators. You can use the interactive search tool on this website to learn about the types of specimens available at the repositories. After completing a search, you can see the number of specimens and unique participants available, information about the studies for which they were collected, and what research was published for those studies. The search tool will also provide you with a report that lists your specimens of interest. You can then use this report to help write your research proposal to the Network.

Templates

• IMPAACT Concept
• Data Request (DR)
• New Works Analysis Concept Sheet (NWCS)
• Data Analysis Concept Sheet (DACS)

All completed submissions should be sent to the IMPAACT Operations Center for consideration by the IMPAACT network using this email address: impaact.capsubmissions@fstrf.org.  Upon receipt, the Operations Center will confirm receipt of your submission.