Clinical Laboratory Education

• Innovative educational techniques
• Simulation laboratories
• Student admission process and tracking success
• Student retention
• Research in student learning
• Changes in MLS undergraduate or graduate education
• Faculty development

Patient Safety

• Investigation of laboratory practices that improve patient safety.
• Assessment of pre-analytical and post-analytical errors and their impact on patient outcomes.

Value of Laboratory Services

• Impact of test results in diagnosis and treatment.
• Development and assessment of test applications.
• Value of appropriate test utilization in clinical decision-making.
• Assessment of point-of-care testing validity and clinical efficacy.
• New test development and modifications, validation, and clinical efficacy.
• Correlation of proficiency testing, personnel standards, internal quality control, and quality assessment on the validity and clinical efficacy of test results.

Value of Educated Personnel

• Correlate level of education and clinical training to validity and quality of test results.
• Strategies to increase the number of, address retention of, and improve the public image of clinical laboratory professionals.
• Investigation of the role of the Clinical (Medical) Laboratory Scientist, Clinical (Medical) Laboratory Technician, or professional with a doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science in test utilization.

Translational Research

• Applications that reduce disease incidence, morbidity, and mortality.

Proposal Format

Limit to three single-sided typewritten pages. Include all material essential to the application.

1. Title
2. Background and rationale: Identify how the project addresses the E&R designated research purposes and the profession’s needs, demonstrate familiarity with existing research and personal expertise, identify pertinent issues and state the problem clearly and concisely.
3. Objectives: Appropriate, clear, and linked to the problem stated in the rationale.
4. Methods/Design: The methods/design should be described clearly; agree with objectives; be specific and detailed; identify strengths and limitations; describe the sampling population, recruitment of subjects, data collection procedures, methods used to minimize sample bias; identify staff qualifications; indicate recording and reporting procedures; list appropriate deadlines; and guarantee confidentiality.
5. Analysis Procedures: The analysis section should include identification of instruments, relate to the purpose/objectives, describe extent and detail of analysis, list time frame, and describe written and/or verbal reporting procedures.
6. Budget: The budget section should include itemization and justification of cost and relate to the objectives and protocol.
7. Appendices: The appendices should include supplemental information, biographical expertise, support letters, and contracts.