Lead Story

Founded in 2023, the Texas Institute for Sexual & Gender Minority Health Research (the Institute) brings together a diverse group of investigators from across UT Austin whose research and practice examine and address sexual and gender minority (SGM) health. Our mission is to support and conduct high-quality research, disseminate evidence-based information, and train future professionals. Our focus spans several areas of inquiry with an emphasis on life-course to better understand how factors from early childhood through older adulthood impact these diverse communities.

Our pilot research program is focused on growing SGM health research at UT Austin and throughout Texas, while fostering collaborative work across disciplines. A representative group of the Institute’s affiliated faculty will review the applications and make awards in one of two categories:

Formative Research/Secondary Data Analysis: $5,000-$10,000
Pilot Studies: $10,000-$15,000
Teams may also apply for funding outside of these ranges with appropriate justification and availability of funds

ELIGIBILITY

1. All proposals must be co-led by at least two primary investigators, including one faculty affiliate of the Institute (see list here). Preference will be given to collaborations from different colleges, schools, and units (CSUs).
2. Projects must focus on sexual and gender minority health.
3. Data collected must be used for a future extramural research proposal. A link to the funding call must be included as part of the application.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

1. Proposal that includes the following (3-page maximum):
   a. Project title
   b. Specific aims, significance/background, innovation, and research approach/strategy [*]
   c. Plan for extramural grant proposal, including target date and funding mechanism
   d. Dissemination plan (both academic and non-academic dissemination is encouraged)
   e. Description of community engagement activities that supported your proposal and/or plan to engage
   community, if any
   f. References (does not count towards 3-page max)
   g. Proposals should have 0.5” margins and use 11-point, single-spaced, Arial font
2. A budget explaining how the funds will be used. Funds cannot be spent on investigator(s) salary support, travel or faculty consultancy fees. Research Staff support (e.g., GRA, Coordinator, etc.) is permissible (include fringe, no indirect costs). Funds may also be used for community engagement activities associated with the proposed research.
3. An NIH biosketch, other biosketch, or CV for each investigator.

EXPECTATIONS

If funded, investigators must agree to:

1. Attend at least four monthly 2024 – 2025 LGBTQ+ Health Seminars hosted by The Institute.
2. Deliver an LGBTQ+ Health Seminar about findings from your project in Summer or Fall 2025.
3. Acknowledge Texas Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health Research as the funding agency on any
   publication that results from your proposed project.
4. Any grant proposals produced from your project will use The Institute for pre- and post-award support.
   

[*] We acknowledge that some types of scholarly work may not fit the proposed structure. Applicants are encouraged to use alternative headings that are suitable for a research project