The CEC will use multidirectional communication as it guides Center members in developing research activities in partnership with community stakeholders to address community concerns. The CEC is a central part of the UK-CARES structure and decision-making processes in three major ways.
- First, the CEC is tightly integrated into UK-CARES’ cores, programs, and strategic vision with direct impact on community-informed Center decision making. Community interests and concerns are identified and communicated both formally and informally.
- Second, applications for Pilot Project Program (PPP) funds will require plans for engaging the community and for report back. In addition, CEC partner organizations and collaborators will be eligible to apply for PPP grants. As many of these CEC partners may not have strong track records in extramural support, the CEC will facilitate faculty mentorship by fostering partnerships between UK investigators and CEC partners.
- Third, CEC leadership will work with the Career Development (CD) Program, Translational Research Support Core (TRSC), Analytical Core (AC), and PPP to ensure integration of community-engaged research (CEnR) methods to support translational research that is sensitive to the needs and concerns of the community. To this end, we will require pilot grantees to complete our new, online Responsible Conduct of CEnR training module. Further, CEC will work with investigators to create tailored community engagement strategies to report back research findings.