The Carolina Center for Total Worker Health (TWH) and Wellbeing at UNC Chapel Hill has released a call for proposals to its Pilot Projects Program (PPP). Investigators from eligible institutions (UNCG is eligible) are encouraged to apply. There are several ‘office hours’ interested applicants can attend to learn more about TWH and the pilot grants. A letter of intent with a 1 paragraph description of the project must be received electronically by July 15, 2022. All proposals must be received electronically by the due date of August 1, 2022.
Goals of the Pilot Projects Program (PPP): The goal of the Carolina Center’s Pilot Projects Program (PPP) is to cultivate innovative research that builds an evidence base for Total Worker Health® (TWH), which is defined as “policies, programs, and practices that integrate protection from work-related safety and health hazards with promotion of injury and illness-prevention efforts to advance worker well-being”. The TWH approach “prioritizes a hazard-free work environment for all workers” by addressing prioritized, unresolved, and critically important occupational health and safety (OHS) issues. In short, the TWH approach integrates the areas of occupational safety and worker health into a single framework. The TWH framework reflects a more holistic approach to understanding how to promote a healthier workforce. More information on the TWH framework can be found here.
The pilot projects are intended to (1) support research related to current and emerging worker health issues and threats, (2) engage post-doctoral fellows, junior faculty, and experienced investigators new to TWH to develop or extend their programs of research using a TWH framework, with a special emphasis to support researchers from underserved and underrepresented groups, (3) test a new method or approach for building new knowledge in TWH, (4) test new approaches for building capacity for TWH in the workforce, and (5) engage communities to improve worker health and well-being. Research proposed in pilot project proposals should advance the theory, methods of scientific inquiry, and/or knowledge of the effectiveness (outcomes) and mechanisms (processes driving outcomes) of the TWH approach.
Read the FULL RFP HERE: TWH Y2 RFP Pilots – 5-1-2022
Zoom Office Hours for interested investigators:
To assist investigators who might be less familiar with Total Worker Health (TWH), and who may need some initial guidance in directing a project idea that aligns with TWH, Drs. Kneipp & Nylander-French will host Zoom “open hours”, where you may drop in to explore ideas you have for a project and receive some initial guidance. The Zoom link for each of these sessions is:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/93997972482?pwd=UzRvMkhSMEh6UlJXNzNycUhoRFhZQT09
Meeting ID: 939 9797 2482
Passcode: 271709
And the dates & times for drop-in are:
Tuesday, May 17, 3p-4p
Tuesday, May 31, 3p-4p
Tuesday, June 21, 3p-4p
