Invitation to Apply for Competitive Trainee Award
Rationale: Child abuse and neglect is a significant public health concern in the United States and around the
world. According to recent statistics, in fiscal year 2017, there were over three million referrals for some form of
child maltreatment and more than 1,700 deaths during the year attributable to child abuse and neglect. The
magnitude of the problem, the devastating short and long term consequences, and the importance of cooccurring
contextual factors make this a challenging area of research requiring research from multiple
disciplines. Despite the scope, size, and costs associated with child abuse and neglect, however, there is a
dearth of scholars trained to conduct research in child abuse and neglect. As noted in the Institute of
Medicine (2014) report by the Committee on Child Maltreatment Research, Policy, and Practice for the Next
Decade, “Existing research and service system infrastructures are not sufficient for responding to this public
health challenge”.
This annual summer training institute is designed to help assure a continued pipeline of researchers interested
in advancing science regarding abuse and neglect. This requires an innovative, multi-disciplinary approach
that can take into account the multi-determined nature of this public health problem and its multiple and
cascading outcomes. Competitively selected trainees will receive awards to attend a week long summer
institute. Training activities of the institute will begin prior to the summer and extend beyond the on-site weeklong
training to include individual follow-up mentoring provided by trainers matched to participants’ interests.
Institute presenters (trainers) represent diverse fields (e.g., anthropology, criminology, genetics, law,
medicine, psychology, public health, and social work), methodological expertise, and cultural backgrounds.
This project is funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and
administered through a collaboration of two senior scholars (Drs. Melissa Jonson-Reid from Washington
University and Cathy Spatz Widom from John Jay College of Criminal Justice at the City University of New
York).
This competitive award will fund 15 early career or transitioning scholars with backgrounds in a variety
disciplines, including criminology, economics, law, neuroscience, genetics, medicine, psychology, psychiatry,
public health, public policy, social work, or sociology. Applicants need not have expertise in child maltreatment
but must have some training related to children’s health and development prior to the summer institute. Costs
of materials, food, lodging, travel, and communication with mentors are provided as part of the award. The
2020 summer training institute will be held in New York City, New York.
Timeline:
• October 15, 2019 - January 10, 2020: Applications accepted
• January 10, 2020: Final due date for applications
• February 14, 2020: Awardees will be notified and pre-seminar readings will be distributed.
• June 1 – June 5, 2020: 4 1/2 day seminar to be held at John Jay College in New York City.
• Mid-June, 2020: Follow-up calls with mentors
• July 17, 2020: Submission of final draft of brief research proposal (6 pages)
• August 15, 2020: Trainees receive feedback and suggestions for funding
Participant Commitment:
Trainees must be able to attend the on-site training, complete the readings prior to the seminar, and adhere
to the timeline for research plans.
Eligibility:
Applicants must have completed their PhD or MD (or equivalent degree). Applicants must meet early
career scientist criteria [meaning that the scholars must not yet have been a PI on any grant beyond the R03
or R21 (developmental) levels] OR be established researchers who are interested in transitioning to research
on child maltreatment but lack methodological training in this area.
All participants will be required to have some training related to children’s health or development to serve as a
foundation for participation. However, prior training specific to child maltreatment is not needed. Participants
must demonstrate an interest in pursuing research relevant to epidemiology (causes and consequences),
prevention, or intervention in the area of child maltreatment. Participants must also indicate how this training
will advance them in their chosen careers.
For this institute, we will accept up to 15 participants with a minimum of at least four different specialties or
disciplines represented. Applicants from under-represented ethnic/racial groups, persons with disabilities, or
persons from disadvantaged backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply.