Background

The Pediatric Pharmacy Association Small Research Grant supports research in neonatal and/or pediatric medication use conducted by pharmacists. The primary purpose of the research award is to improve the safe and effective use of medications in children and foster innovation in pediatric pharmacy practice. The grant supports research projects on a broad range of topics related to pediatric medication use, including but not limited to technology, medication safety, and pharmacotherapy.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

1. Be a licensed pharmacist in their country of practice.
2. Conduct health services research in neonatal and/or pediatric medication use.
3. Provide evidence of mentor/advisor support in the application and progress reports.
4. Obtain IRB approval at the institution where the research will occur (grant funds will be disbursed only after IRB approval is received; evidence of IRB submission must be included in the proposal).
5. Agree to present results at a PPA conference (encore presentation acceptable) and publish findings in a peer-reviewed journal (publication in Journal of Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics encouraged).
6. Multidisciplinary research teams are strongly encouraged.

Application Process

Cover Page
–Project title
–Principal Investigator (PI) name, credentials, institution, and contact information
–Mentor/advisor name, credentials, institution, and contact information
–List of co-investigators and roles (if applicable)

Abstract (≤ 300 words)
–Clear summary of project objectives, methods, and anticipated impact.

Proposal Narrative (≤ 5 pages, single-spaced)
–Rationale/Background: Describe the clinical or scientific problem and why it matters.
–Significance: Highlight the potential contribution to pediatric pharmacy practice, safety, or outcomes.
–Methods: Include study design, setting, patient population, data collection, and analysis plan.
–Career Development: Explain how this project supports the applicant’s growth in research and pediatric pharmacy.
–Investigators/Team: Provide details on the PI’s experience and describe the role of mentor(s) and collaborators.
–Patients & Facilities/Feasibility: Describe the setting and confirm feasibility to complete the study.

Budget & Justification (1 page)
–Provide a detailed budget and explain how funds will be allocated.
–Clearly identify any other funding sources.

Timeline (≤ 1 page)
–Outline anticipated milestones from project start through dissemination.

Mentor/Advisor Letter of Support
–Must include a commitment to provide guidance throughout the study.

Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Biosketch for the PI and key personnel.

IRB Documentation
–Evidence of IRB submission is required at the time of application.
–Evidence of IRB approval must be submitted prior to release of funds.

Application Portal Opens

2025: October 1st
2026 and beyond: August

Application Portal Closes

2025: Nov 1st
2026 and beyond: September 30th

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:
Rationale – 10 points

Significance – 25 points

Methods – 25 points

Career Development – 10 points

Investigators – 10 points

Patients & Facilities; Feasibility – 10 points

Budget – 5 points

Application Procedures – 5 points

The PPA Research Committee will review all proposals and determine awardees.

Selection Committee

Research Committee

Award Recipient Commitments

The grant recipients agree to present their results at a PPA conference (encore presentation is acceptable) and publish the results of their research in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Publication in the Journal of Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics is highly encouraged.

Award

Up to two grants ($2,000 each)

Eligible uses of funds:
–Consultant salary support (e.g., biostatistician)
–IRB fees
–Research supplies
–Travel required to conduct the study
–Patient participation expenses/reimbursements
–Travel to disseminate research results (Note: Travel cannot be the only use of funds requested)

Funds may not be used for:
–Salaries/benefits for investigators
–Ongoing operating expenses
–Permanent equipment/facilities
–Endowment contributions
–Stipends/loans

Notification to Award Recipients

2025: December
2026 and beyond: November

Past Recipients

2024
Hannah M. Jenkins, PharmD
University of Chicago Medicine – Comer Children’s Hospital
Project: Analysis of newborn serum gentamicin concentrations after once daily dosing of gentamicin in birthing parents

Ali Blaine Shannon, PharmD
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital/UTHSC, Memphis, TN
Project: Evaluation of potential erroneously labeled extended-spectrum beta-lactamase production and clinical response of empiric third-generation cephalosporin treatment at a tertiary care children’s hospital

2023
Nikolas Dotolo, PharmD
St. Louis Children’s Hospital, St. Louis, MO
Project: Novel Use of Angiotensin-II for Fluid and Vasopressor Refractory Pediatric Septic Shock

Aislinn O’Kane, PharmD
Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Project: Development of a Pediatric Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model for Dexmedetomidine

2022
Gustavo Rey Alvira-Arill, PharmD
University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
Project: Incidence of acute kidney injury in pediatric patients with vancomycin after transitioning from trough to AUC/MIC-based monitoring for serious MRSA infections

Sun Yang, BSPharm, MS, PhD
Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA
Project: Impact of the COVID pandemic on real-world dispensing of anti-ADHD medications in California

2021
Emma Lynne Wysocki, PharmD
Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH
Project: Population pharmacokinetics of high dose extended interval amikacin in critically ill children

James Fly, PharmD
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital/ University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN
Project: Comparing Outcomes Between Antibiotic Regimens for Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Seerat Kapoor, PharmD
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital/ University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN Project: Comparison of fungal infection rates among patients receiving histamime2 receptor antagonist or proton pump inhibitors in the NICU- A multicenter database analysis

2020
Sin Yin Lim, PharmD
Clinical and Translational Science in Pediatric Pharmacotherapy, University of Oklahoma, Health Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy, Oklahoma City, OK Project: Evaluation of caffeine dosing regimens and the impact of developmental pharmacokinetics in neonates with apnea of prematurity

***2016-2019 Program was suspended***

2015
Laurie Wright, PharmD
Community Regional Medical Center, Fresno, CA
Project: Efficacy of a pharmacist-managed epoetin alfa protocol for anemia of prematurity

2014
Kaitlin Hughes, PharmD
The University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK
Project: Comparison of amikacin pharmacokinetics in neonates pre and post a dosing protocol change

Nicholas Dillman, PharmD
Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX
Project: Evaluation of the effects of extracorporeal life support on antiepileptic drug serum

2013
Caren Liviskie, PharmD
St. Louis Children’s Hospital, St. Louis. MO
Project: Protein and energy intake during the first week of life and brain growth and development in preterm neonates

2012
Deborah Raithel, PharmD
University of Illinois- Chicago, Chicago, IL
Project: Neonatal indomethacin for prevention of intraventricular hemorrhage: a study of plasma concentrations, pharmacogenomic factors, and outcomes

2011
Oscar Rafael Herrera, PharmD
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
Project: Optimum concentration of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on bile acid induced apoptosis in HepG2 cell

2010
Liana Mark, PharmD
The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
Project: Gentamicin pharmacokinetics in neonates undergoing therapeutic hypothermia

Emma Tillman, PharmD
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
Project: Concentration dependent effects of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on bile acid induced apoptosis in HepG2 cell
Investigator

2009
Keliana O’Mara, PharmD
Women’s Hospital of Greensboro, NC
Project: Impact of Gaviscon on blood aluminum levels in preterm neonates receiving treatment for gastroesophageal reflux

Emma Tillman, PharmD
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
Project: Parenteral Nutrition Associated Liver Disease: Early Markers and Therapy with enteral omega-3 Supplementation

Past Grantees of the Neonatal Small Research Grant*

2021
Project Title: Comparing Outcomes Between Antibiotic Regimens for Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Investigator: James Fly, PharmD, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital/ University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN

Project Title: Comparison of fungal infection rates among patients receiving histamime2 receptor antagonist or proton pump inhibitors in the NICU- A multicenter database analysis
Investigator: Seerat Kapoor, PharmD, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital/ University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN

2020
Project Title: Evaluation of caffeine dosing regimens and the impact of developmental pharmacokinetics in neonates with apnea of prematurity
Investigator: Sin Yin Lim, Clinical and Translational Science in Pediatric Pharmacotherapy, University of Oklahoma, Health Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy, Oklahoma City, OK

***2016-2019 Program was suspended ***

2015
Project Title: Efficacy of a pharmacist-managed epoetin alfa protocol for anemia of prematurity
Investigator: Laurie Wright, PharmD; PGY2 Pediatric Pharmacy Resident, Community Regional Medical Center, Fresno, CA

2014
Project Title: Comparison of amikacin pharmacokinetics in neonates pre and post a dosing protocol change
Investigator: Kaitlin Hughes, PharmD; PGY2 Pediatric Pharmacy Resident, The University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK

Project Title: Evaluation of the effects of extracorporeal life support on antiepileptic drug serum
Investigator: Nicholas Dillman, PharmD; PGY2 Pediatric Pharmacy Resident, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX

2013
Project Title: Protein and energy intake during the first week of life and brain growth and development in preterm neonates
Investigator: Caren Liviskie, PharmD; PGY2 Pediatric Pharmacy Resident, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, St. Louis. MO

2012
Project Title: Neonatal indomethacin for prevention of intraventricular hemorrhage: a study of plasma concentrations, pharmacogenomic factors, and outcomes
Investigator: Deborah Raithel, PharmD; PGY2 Pediatric Pharmacy Resident, University of Illinois- Chicago, Chicago, IL

2011
Project Title: Optimum concentration of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on bile acid induced apoptosis in HepG2 cell
Investigator: Oscar Rafael Herrera, PharmD; Fellow, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN

2010
Project Title: Gentamicin pharmacokinetics in neonates undergoing therapeutic hypothermia
Investigator: Liana Mark, PharmD; PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Resident, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD

Project Title: Concentration dependent effects of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on bile acid induced apoptosis in HepG2 cell
Investigator: Emma Tillman, PharmD; Fellow, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN

2009
Project Title: Impact of Gaviscon on blood aluminum levels in preterm neonates receiving treatment for gastroesophageal reflux
Investigator: Keliana O’Mara, PharmD; Neonatal Pharmacology Fellow, Women’s Hospital of Greensboro, NC

Project Title: Parenteral Nutrition Associated Liver Disease: Early Markers and Therapy with enteral omega-3 Supplementation
Investigator: Emma Tillman, PharmD; Fellow, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN

*The Pediatric Small Research Grant and Neonatal Small Research Grant were merged in 2024

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