Intramural pilot funding and internal grant reviews increase research capacity at a school of nursing.

BACKGROUND: Strategies for increasing research capacity such as internal funding mechanisms and internal peer reviews for grants are essential for schools of nursing. Although these are documented in the literature, their processes and outcomes have not been reported.

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to describe three protocols for building research capacity at a school of nursing-intramural pilot grants, Specific Objectives and Aims Reviews, and mock reviews-and quantify their outcomes.

METHODS: We assessed outcome data on 14 intramural pilot grants and 88 external grant applications from 2012 to 2016.

FINDINGS: Pilot grants produced 16 peer-reviewed articles, 33 presentations, and 11 funded grants. For grant applications that underwent any type of internal review, 41.7% (20/48) received funding compared with 20% (8/40) that did not participate, p = .03. Given the resources required to prepare grant applications, internal funding and reviews can enhance return on investment.

CONCLUSION: Schools of nursing should consider implementing intramural pilot grants and internal review sessions.