A Hopkins Business of Health Initiative Request for Pilot Proposals (RFP)

PHASE II

Data-Driven Research to Advance Health and Health Care: Leveraging Truveta, a National EHR Data Platform

 

Key Points

  • This is the Phase II Request for Proposals.  Phase I RFP can be referenced here.
  • Proposals are due on September 15, 2025. 
  • Max award amount is $25,000. 
  • Budgets should include Truveta estimated data charges and personnel costs.
  • Phase II proposals require a detailed approach that includes pilot data from Truveta that can convince the reviewers of the feasibility of the project. The >20 Phase I awardees (announced here) have an overwhelming advantage in competing for Phase II awards, but non-Phase-I awardees may still apply.

Introduction
The proliferation of data platforms standardizing Electronic Health Record (EHR) data across health systems presents a major opportunity for exploring new innovative research ideas that could not previously be addressed. This RFP aims to capitalize on this opportunity for researchers at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) by funding promising research and by fostering a user community to develop best practices for research using Truveta, the Multi-Site EHR Data Platform selected for this initiative.

As this is Phase II, applicants should be familiar with Truveta.  But as background, Truveta provides person-level EHR data for over 100 million patients across 30+ U.S. health systems, standardized for comprehensive analysis. It links EHR data with claims, social determinants of health (SDOH), and mortality data.

If you would like access to Truveta or are not yet attending the Truveta User Community meetings on the Second Wednesday of each Month at 2pm, please email [email protected] and we will provide you with access information. Investigators interested in using Truveta data for studies supported by other funding sources are encouraged to contact [email protected] for additional information and onboarding support.

Phase II application instructions

Eligibility: Principal investigators must have faculty appointments at Johns Hopkins University.

No specific topic of emphasis:  The Hopkins Business of Health Initiative (HBHI), the host of this initiative, welcomes proposals on any research topic, including those advancing the HBHI vision of a healthier nation supported by an affordable and equitable, high-value health system. 

Phase II seeks to award up to six projects $25,000. Awarded projects will be those judged to be most likely to lead to external research funding and/or high-impact publications

Phase II application deadline: Sept 15, 2025.

Please submit proposals to [email protected] with subject line “2025 Truveta – Final Pilot Proposal.” Proposals should include Biosketches of PI and Co-investigators and a two-page project description (single-spaced, 11-point font) with the following information:

  • Statement of the project’s significance, specific aims, and impact
  • Role of Truveta data in accomplishing aims
  • Statement of future potential including how this pilot will lead to a larger external funding project or agenda
  • The approach: the sample sizes, key variables and their construction, approach to addressing missing data issues, and analytical methods. This should include the details developed during the initial phase.
  • Project budget. Describe and justify the specific items to be funded by the grant (one page). Most critical is an estimate of the Truveta payments that will be required to accomplish aims. Funds are intended to support these fees plus personnel time for analysis. Faculty salary support is permitted. Timeline limited to 12 months. Formal budget and application approvals will be required after the proposal is selected. Indirect costs are not permitted.
  • SCORING CRITERIA:
    • Impact. The significance of the problem and the potential for new insights advancing health and/or health services and/or the science your topic seeks to advance. 
    • Methods. The appropriateness and methodological rigor of the scientific plan and the use of Truveta data as the optimal source of data for the question.
    • Contributions to Collective Learning. Consider how the project will contribute to shared knowledge within the research community and beyond.
    • Future potential. The likelihood that successful completion of this pilot project would lead to external funding.
    • Investigators. The qualifications of the investigators and the degree to which they will support or be supported by the user community.

Reminders:

  • Deadline: Sept 15, 2025.
  • Awards granted by Oct 31, 2025.
  • PI must be a full-time faculty member of Johns Hopkins University.
  • Award will be a maximum of $25,000.
  • Awardees must agree to Terms of Use Agreement.