LHS Scholars Training Program

Equip investigators with skills and enable them to perform cutting-edge Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER), Dissemination and Implementation Science (D&I), and Patient Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) to improve healthcare delivery, health, and health equity. These foundational resources and services will also provide a nurturing environment to train the next generation of LHS Scholars. 

A Learning Health System (LHS) systematically integrates internal data, experience, and external evidence to improve healthcare practice, delivery, and equity. The LHS continuously improves the care and outcomes of their patients and organizational structures, processes, and culture by: 1) gathering and applying best evidence in real-time to guide care; 2) employing information technology and behavior change methods to implement best practices; and 3) generating new knowledge about innovative ways to deliver care through experimentation and iteration. We are looking for scholars with an interest in addressing questions that are relevant to these areas. 

There are a number of faculty with expertise in various D&I methods internal to Rutgers.  We will be hosting opportunities to meet with them virtually and in person as well as bring in experts from other settings. In addition, we have a website currently under construction that we will update and will list resources within and outside of Rutgers open to our scholars.   

Currently in process. 

Are Pathway 1 applicants required to be Faculty of Rutgers/Rutgers Health Communities?  Yes

Are Pathway 2 applicants required to be Faculty of Rutgers/Rutgers Health Communities? No. Applicants can be from outside organizations and institutions. 

Can an applicant who has had or currently has a K grant/Career Development Award participate in Pathway 2?  Yes.  

 

Yes, via email and/or phone/zoom as needed.   

There are no costs to apply to the program or to be a part of the cohorts.  However, if Scholars in Pathways 2 and 3 choose to benefit from Rutgers/LHS courses/resources, and/or it is a requirement of their mentoring plan, there may be incurred costs.  Scholars in Pathway 1 (Rutgers Faculty) may be eligible for tuition reimbursement/remission for courses/resources available (outside of the required curriculum/activities). You can work with your mentoring team to design a program tailored to your needs.  If you do not or cannot incur additional costs, we will work with you to identify as many free resources as possible. 

Yes. 

How many ‘slots’ are available for funding in Pathway 1? 2-4 per year. 

How many ‘slots’ are available in Pathways 2 and 3?  Is there a cap? We are working to create a cohort experience. There is no particular cap. 

Will salary support be in buyout form? Will LHS STAR NJ pay 75% of my salary or my department?  Salary support is available in Pathway 1. The LHS STAR NJ program would provide up to $75K/yr towards salary.  We understand this may not cover 75% salary. Therefore, departmental support/commitment is required for the additional salary support. 

Are you eligible for the application if you do not currently have allocated protected time? Pathway 1:  Research time will be ‘protected’ if the award is made, and it is expected that up to 75% effort be committed to the program. Departmental support/commitment is required.   

Pathways 2 and 3:  There is more flexibility in terms of committed research effort. Please work with the Chair of your department or your supervisor. 

Can a mentor be from an outside institution? It depends on the pathway. Pathway 1 would need to be internal but could have an option of adding external mentors. Pathways 2 and 3, we are more flexible. 

If I cannot identify an internal mentor, how are we matched with potential mentors/team-members? Pathway 1: LHS Scholars will be matched with a Primary Research Mentor, Collaborators, and a Health System Sponsor (as appropriate) based upon their research interests and health system priorities. In addition to their Primary Research Mentor and Health System Sponsor, each LHS Scholar will be guided by the LHS STAR NJ leadership in forming a Mentoring Committee, individualized to the research project, subject area, and methodologies. 

Pathway 2: LHS Scholars will be matched with a Primary Research Mentor, Collaborators, and a Health System Sponsor (as appropriate) based upon their research interests and health system priorities. You can choose to form a Mentoring Committee, individualized to your interests and career development goals. 

Pathway 3: You can ask to be matched with a Primary Research Mentor, Collaborators, and a Health System Sponsor based upon your research interests and health system priorities. You can choose to form a Mentoring Committee, individualized to your interests and career development goals. 

Is there a tentative schedule of coursework? Coursework for each scholar is individualized.  The curriculum/education plan with offerings related to speakers and workshop sessions for the fall is currently in process.  

Will courses/resources/activities be available on-line, in-person or a combination of the two? Combination and dependent on each Scholar’s individual development plan.  

Is there a PDF document available that lists all the questions of the application? Yes. We are in the process of incorporating this into the LHS STAR NJ website/RFA section. 

Is there a way to save the partially completed Qualtrics form and return to it later?   Yes. While there is no ‘save’ button in Qualtrics, the partially completed application should save automatically when you revisit the link.    

Yes. Click here to view the May 28, 2024, recording of the LHS Scholars Training Program Informational Session by Drs. Shawna Hudson and Ethan Halm. This session highlights the training program and addresses key questions.