Connecting community with campus to address cancer health disparities: a community grants program model.

摘要

BACKGROUND: With growing interest in the CBPR approach to cancer health disparities research, mechanisms are needed to support adherence to its principles. The Carolina Community Network (CCN), 1 of 25 Community Network Programs funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), developed a model for providing funds to community-based organizations. OBJECTIVES: This paper presents the rationale and structure of a Community Grants Program (CGP) model, describes the steps taken to implement the program, and discusses the lessons learned and recommendations for using the grants model for CBPR. METHODS: Three types of projects-cancer education, implementation of an evidence-based intervention, and the development of community-academic research partnerships-could be supported by a community grant. The CGP consists of four phases: Pre-award, peer-review process, post-award, and project implementation. RESULTS: The CGP serves as a catalyst for developing and maintaining community-academic partnerships through its incorporation of CBPR principles. CONCLUSIONS: Providing small grants to community-based organizations can identify organizations to serve as community research partners, fostering the CBPR approach in the development of community-academic partnerships by sharing resources and building capacity.