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2022 QI/PI Project Funding Event Banner
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Welcome to the Submission Site

Introduction

The American College of Cardiology’s (ACC’s) Accreditation Services helps hospitals improve care for patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), heart failure (HF), and atrial fibrillation (AF). We believe this is best accomplished by using quality and performance improvement scientific methods.

In an effort to support cardiovascular quality initiatives (QI) and performance improvement (PI), the ACC provides funding opportunities that support future cardiovascular QI or PI, particularly those that highlight the importance of accreditation. Funding to support these projects is made possible by the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care (SCPC), which was a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the care and outcomes of patients worldwide with suspected ACS, HF, and AF through innovative cross-disciplinary processes. Its merger with the American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) in 2016 provided an opportunity to leverage the accreditation strength of the SCPC into the large portfolio of services the ACCF offers. To preserve the legacy of the SCPC, an endowment was created to support future cardiovascular QI or PI, particularly those efforts that demonstrate QI or PI through accreditation.


Focus areas of desired projects or proposals include those that support cardiovascular care QI or PI and patient outcomes that:

  • contribute to the evidence base for accreditation criteria
  • develop or evaluate cardiovascular QI or PI that strengthen the accreditation process
  • provide opportunities for education that supports QI or PI projects
  • improve EMS systems of care in collaboration with community hospitals providing accreditation- related services
  • provide public health education to improve community measures/outcomes related to early recognition of heart attack symptoms and appropriate action steps

Example projects include those that:

  • Support scholarly or creative work that further the principles of cardiovascular patient care process improvement using ACC accreditation data
  • Convene educational symposia
  • Sponsor lectures
  • Advance cardiovascular care
  • Establish heart safe communities to promote Early Heart Attack Care
  • Fund low performing hospitals and or critical access hospitals that seek ACC accreditation.

The scope of proposed projects will be determined by the ACC's Accreditation Foundation Committee and may vary from year to year. In general, proposed projects will be expected to be completed within 12 months of award notification, unless otherwise explicitly stated in the posted request for proposals.


Funding Eligibility

Individuals or groups may submit applications for up to $100,000 per proposal. Funds will be paid only to United States-based healthcare organizations.

Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, Friday, July 29, 2022. Incomplete proposals or those received after the deadline will not be considered.

* The Request For Proposal funds cannot be used to cover the cost of accreditation fees.
* Priority in funding is given to applicants that demonstrate affiliation with an ACC accredited and/or certified facility.
* Accreditation Foundation Committee Quality awards will not pay for indirect or project overhead costs. Funds may be combined with other funding sources to support QI/PI effort.

Evaluation Criteria

The Accreditation Foundation Committee will serve as the selection committee and will evaluate the merits of each proposal and recommend the projects to be funded. The committee seeks proposals that are well conceived and demonstrate sound methodology:

  • Present a project design and methodology including specific aims, significance, innovation, and approach, that can answer the proposed questions.
  • Demonstrate that the project team is knowledgeable on the topic and qualified to complete a high-quality project.
  • Include matched funds or in-kind contributions to strengthen the feasibility of conducting the project and completing it within the contracted timeline.
  • Support operational improvements, patients care and safety, and efficiency in cardiovascular care.

Project Duration

Projects must be completed within twelve (12) months from the signing of the funding contract unless a specific condition exists that would warrant an exception. If an extension is required, the individual grantee must file for an extension and receive approval from the Accreditation Foundation Committee. No additional funds will be provided for such an extension.


Presentation of Work

Grant awardees are required to present their work at the annual ACC Quality Summit, or another ACC-sponsored meeting as designated by the Accreditation Foundation Committee, immediately following the completion of the award year. Funds can be requested in the project budget to cover the travel costs to attend the required meeting.


Conflict of Interest

The Accreditation Foundation Committee members will serve as the selection committee for the proposals. As such they are not eligible to submit project proposals, but they may serve as un-compensated advisors to projects led by others. Applications that include participation of Accreditation Foundation Committee members must be clearly identified. Those participants will be recused from the evaluation and selection process. Other potential conflicts of interests with other organizations or companies should be identified in the application.

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Questions? Organizer: Tracey Young -