Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

There are so many exciting pandemic research programs and initiatives. CPR³ is unique and stands out from other research efforts in several ways:

• CPR³ will fund pandemic recovery and readiness research for the state of California that is led by investigators across the University of California (UC) system. Other UC research efforts have different goals and areas of focus, for example, the UCSF Pandemic Initiative for Equity and Action (UPIEA) and the UC Davis Institute for Pandemic Intelligence.
• CPR³ is interested in understanding the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and response efforts on health (physical and mental), social, and economic outcomes. CPR³ acknowledges the importance of the following areas but will not fund research in: the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen itself (and variants); diagnostics and vaccine development; COVID-19-specific infections and sequelae; and other geographies that do not include California.
• CPR³ is focused on learning from the COVID-19 pandemic to inform future public health investments and policy making. Findings from CPR³ studies will help in the development of a “blueprint” for California pandemic recovery and readiness.

• CPR³ research priority areas include the following: 
  • The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents (RFP closed)
  • The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health (RFP closed)
  • The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on social and economic outcomes (RFP coming soon)
  • Behavior change and public health communication (RFP coming soon)
• Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for two priority areas will be released soon. Stay tuned.
• With guidance from the CPR³ Scientific Steering Committee, all priority areas were selected based on specific needs and research gaps in the state of California.

• Two RFPs were released in early 2023 and are now closed.
• Two additional RFPs will be released soon.
• To stay up to date on CPR³ activities, priority areas, and RFPs, register to receive updates.

• CPR³ is releasing a series of RFPs within priority research areas – applications must be submitted in response to these specific RFPs.
• Eligible applicants from any UC institution may submit proposals in response to these RFPs by the application deadline. Please see eligibility details below and in the RFP documents.
• Detailed application instructions are on our website, including templates and forms. Click here to learn more about the RFP process.

• Researchers with PI (principal investigator) status at any UC campus are eligible. CPR³ aims to harness the wealth of talent and expertise throughout the UC system – not just UC campuses with health-specific programs.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to include collaborators in their proposals, especially collaborators and groups that represent the diversity of individuals and communities throughout the state of California. Collaborators may include, for example, other UC campuses, community-based organizations, and/or advocacy organizations.
• Read more about eligibility and other requirements in each priority area RFP.

If a PI waiver is not obtainable by the application deadline, please upload a letter (as a response to the PI Waiver application question) from your department/institution stating the PI waiver process has been initiated and will be completed by the time of the award decision. If your project is selected for funding and a PI waiver is not obtained, your application will be withdrawn.

• The lead PI applicant may submit to only one award within an RFP, but can be listed as a co-investigator in other submissions provided that the projects are distinctly different.
• Applicants may apply to parallel CPR³ RFP opportunities provided that each application has unique specific aims.

• Please choose one based on your best determination. During the review process, CPR³ may assign your application to either peer review committee based on subject matter expertise and application volume. 

• Yes, this is not only allowed, it’s encouraged – as long as the partner/collaborator is appropriate for the proposed research. Subcontracts are allowed.
• Non-UC partners can include community organizations, non-UC research institutions, health network partners, or other relevant groups.
• It’s important to remember that only UC-based PIs can serve as the prime recipients of funding through CPR³.

• Yes, this is allowed as long as the justification for their role is appropriate, and the research is focused on California.

CPR³ has adopted the NIH definitions for several research team roles.

• A Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) shares scientific and administrative leadership responsibilities with the PI.
• A Co-I makes significant contributions to the development and implementation of the project, but is not responsible for overall leadership.
• A collaborator is a researcher or partner who does not meet the above definitions of Co-PI or Co-I, but is an important contributor to the proposed research.

• PIs, co-PIs, and co-Is need to submit biosketches.
• Collaborators need to submit letters of support.
• Fellow/trainee applicants will need to submit a letter of support from their primary research mentor.

• Award types depend on the stage of the research project.
• Generally, the Pathfinder award is designed to support formative or exploratory research, while the Catalyst award aims to enhance research that has existing preliminary data and/or research infrastructure. The Implementation/Scale award will support implementation research and scale-up of interventions and programs that have existing evidence of efficacy and/or effectiveness.

• No.
• CPR³ does not collect indirect costs from its funder, CDPH. Thus, all awards (including subcontracts) funded by CPR³ cannot charge indirect costs. However, budget items that relate to administrative costs, such as post-award management, can be included in the budget with clear justification.

Since CPR³ funding is from the California Department of Public Health, it is considered extramural funding. As such, CPR³ strongly recommends budget approval from the local campus contracting office to ensure that applicants are aware of state requirements. Please note that although indirect costs are typically associated with extramural contracts, this is not the case for this award mechanism and therefore the budgets can only include direct costs. For UCSF applicants, please send requests for support to [email protected]. 

• Funding decisions will consider scientific merit, public health and societal relevance, and programmatic responsiveness.
• The review process consists of 3 stages: screening, peer review, and consultation with an advisory council. Please see each topic’s RFP for further information.

• Funding decisions for the initial two RFPs (Children & Adolescents and Mental Health) will be made by May 15, 2023.
• Please stay tuned for information on upcoming RFPs for additional information.

• The source of this funding is from a CDPH contract. Award funds will be administered and managed in alignment with the California Model Agreement Contract. Please check in with your home campus Office of Sponsored Projects for specific questions.

• Given CPR³’s funding timeline, the project duration for all award types is 1 year.
• Funds should be spent by June 30, 2024, after which time no-cost extensions may not be possible.

• Feedback on proposals that are not selected for funding will be provided as time and resources allow.

• Please email [email protected] with any remaining questions you may have.