Empire Clinical Research Investigator Program (ECRIP) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the deadline for Empire Clinical Research Investigator Program abstracts? Can follow-up information be provided to the Department of Health after the due date?
The deadline for submission of abstracts is 4:00 p.m. on July 11th 2024. No supplemental information may be submitted after the due date. Abstracts and related attachments will be reviewed solely based upon the information submitted by the teaching hospital.
Please note that teaching hospitals may have their own internal vetting processes that must be completed prior to the actual submission date. Each teaching hospital should advise its researchers to consult with its Empire Clinical Research Investigator Program principal contact for any internal deadlines and requirements.
2. When will awards be announced, when can projects begin and when can Empire Clinical Research Investigator Program fellows be hired and begin to train in the project?
Awards are expected to be announced in the fall 2024 and Empire Clinical Research Investigator Program principal contacts listed on all abstracts submitted will be contacted at the same time. Projects shall begin after awards are made and no later than March 20th 2025. Once a start-up report is approved by the New York State Department of Health, Empire Clinical Research Investigator Program fellows may be hired and begin their training in the project.
3. May a teaching hospital submit more than one abstract?
A teaching hospital may submit either: (1) an abstract for a primary project without submitting an abstract for a secondary project; or (2) an abstract for a primary project and an abstract for a secondary project.
A secondary project will only be supported if: (1) both the primary and secondary projects meet all program requirements; and (2) at least $400,000 is available to that hospital, which depends on the number of other qualifying projects. A teaching hospital may wish to submit a secondary project if it believes that it will not be able to support more than four research fellows under one theme in the institution. Each fellow will require: (a) direct supervision from a qualified sponsor/mentor throughout the two years of the project; (b) direct and indirect support within the department/institution to conduct and report on the research; and (c) support to complete formalized training in clinical research.
If a secondary abstract is submitted, both the primary and secondary projects must meet all program requirements. If the primary project does not meet the program requirements, neither project will be funded. However, if the secondary project does not meet the program requirements but the primary project meets the program requirements, the primary project would qualify for the full award.
4. Can an individual physician submit an abstract directly to the New York State Department of Health?
Yes, but only if that individual physician is authorized to submit an abstract on behalf of the teaching hospital. Please check with the hospital's Empire Clinical Research Investigator Program principal contact, hospital Chief Executive Officer/Administrator, Designated Institutional Official (DIO) or medical director. All abstracts submitted must be endorsed by an "officer of the institution" whose identity must be shared by the Empire Clinical Research Investigator Program principal contact with researchers at the institution.
5. What submissions should accompany abstracts?
Biographical sketches (biosketches) must be submitted with abstracts.
The abstract or abstracts also must be accompanied by a letter from the teaching hospital demonstrating its commitment of $100,000 per year to the project. The letter must identify the source of these matching funds, as noted in the Abstract Outline.
Aside from the biosketches and the above-referenced letter demonstrating a teaching hospital's commitment to funding a project(s), no documentation, including letters of support, will be accepted.
6. Can the teaching hospital request a specific amount of funding for a project?
Teaching hospitals cannot request specific amounts of funding for a project(s). For projects that meet program requirements, funding amounts will be determined by the New York State Department of Health depending on the number of other qualifying projects.
Budgets will be submitted by all awardees and reviewed by New York State Department of Health as part of the start-up process after awards are made.
7. Can an abstract include tables and charts?
Yes, but all information will be included in the word limits.
8. What are the general requirements for a research fellow?
A research fellow must:
- be enrolled or has completed a graduate medical education program;
- be a United States or Canadian citizen, national, or permanent resident of the United States or Canada; and
- be a graduate of a medical, dental or podiatric school located in New York State, a graduate or resident in a graduate medical education program, where the sponsoring institution is located in New York State, or reside in New York State at the time the clinical research plan is submitted to the commissioner which is July 11th 2024.
9. What are the residency requirements for research fellows who have not done medical school or residency training in New York State?
A fellow who has not done medical school or residency training in New York State must reside in New York State at the time the clinical research plan is submitted to the commissioner which is July 11th 2024 to be eligible for the program.
10. Can the research fellows live in New Jersey or another neighboring state and work in New York?
No. The exception is if they are a graduate of a medical, dental or podiatric school located in New York State, a graduate or resident in a graduate medical education program, where the sponsoring institution is located in New York State.
11. Are junior faculty members eligible to be the research fellows?
Yes, provided they meet the program requirements. See the document " Empire Clinical Research Investigator Program clinical research position requirements" on this website for details.
