Atlanta MWCCS welcomes scientific proposals from investigators at Emory as well as other institutions. If you are interested in submitting a proposal, please read the information below – it outlines useful resources that will help in concept sheet (CS) development as well as specific steps involved in the submission. All Emory-affiliated investigators as well as investigators from Georgia or other states who consulted with Emory PIs on their concept sheet must submit their concept sheets through the Atlanta team as described below.
A Flow Chart describes the key steps.
Atlanta MWCCS concept submission should be done through this website and must follow the process described below.
Concept Development & Submission Process:
- Arrange a meeting with Atlanta Project Director (PD) to discuss project feasibility and first steps, Antonina Foster.
- Come prepared with the specifics of your project such as:
- Data and sample needs
- If any new data or sample collection is required
- After your meeting, get familiar with MWCCS study and resources on the Investigator Information page located on the national website: MWCCS Work With Us
- You will find searchable database of WIHS and MACS publications, investigator how-to information, and relevant policies.
- If you are interested in the historical WIHS data, more detailed information about WIHS study forms can be found here: WIHS Forms - Google Drive
- If you are interested in the historical MACS data, more detailed information can be found here: MACS Forms - Google Drive
- Schedule orientation training to get an overview of our data, resources, and processes. To schedule, please email Shanon Thomas and copy Anna Rubtsova. In the subject line of the message type: Atlanta MWCCS orientation
- After the orientation meeting:
- Verify that your proposal does not overlap with existing or proposed studies by other Investigators by searching through approved MWCCS concept sheets using the DACCTrack system, work group view.
- To utilize this option, you need to be a member of one of the scientific working groups. Scientific work group members are automatically provided access to the work group view module of DACCTrack system. If you are not a work group member, please consult with Anna Rubtsova.
- Verify that the data and/or specimens you plan on requesting are available. If you have questions about biospecimens availability, please contact PD, Antonina Foster and copy the Lab Director, Chetna Bedi.
- If you have questions about data availability, please email Data Manager Anna Rubtsova
- Verify that your proposal does not overlap with existing or proposed studies by other Investigators by searching through approved MWCCS concept sheets using the DACCTrack system, work group view.
- Complete an Atlanta MWCCS Concept Sheet Submission Form.
If you are applying for a grant in connection to MWCCS, do not assume that your study will be approved by MWCCS in case of the grant award. Please submit your MWCCS concept sheet 4-6 weeks before your grant application. More detailed information about the Grant Development & Submission Process - Submit your concept sheet for review, and type in the subject line: MWCCS concept sheet submission - New or Revised (select one).
Concept Sheet Review and Approval Process
- After you submit your new or revised concept sheet to the Atlanta MWCCS team your concept sheet will first be reviewed by Atlanta PIs: Drs Ofotokun, Sheth, and Wingood; the Project Directors, Data Manager, Biostatistician, and Lab Director.
- As a result of the Atlanta MWCCS review, two outcomes are possible:
- Your concept sheet needs revision. You will receive an email notification that your concept needs revision, with comments. Please, revise and re-submit your concept sheet.
- Your concept sheet is locally pre-approved. You will receive an email notification of Atlanta MWCCS site/local approval and be instructed to submit your locally approved concept sheet to the national MWCCS using the DACCTrack system.
- Your concept sheet will be reviewed by the national MWCCS team. As a result of this review, two outcomes are possible:
- Your concept sheet needs revision. You will receive an email letting you know that your concept sheet was not approved based on the reviewers’ comments. Please, revise your concept sheet and resubmit it to the national MWCCS using the DACCTrack system.
- Your concept sheet is approved. You will receive an email notification that your concept sheet has been approved and assigned a readme #.
Atlanta MWCCS Approved Concept Sheet Implementation Process
Once your concept sheet is approved, please follow the below steps for the Atlanta MWCCS concept implementation process. There are many Atlanta MWCCS resources available to Atlanta MWCCS-affiliated investigators to help them accomplish their proposed research, including data management, regulatory assistance, and biostatistical support. To fully benefit from these resources, please follow the steps outlined below.
Key Steps
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Complete the Concept Implementation Questionnaire that can be found here. Email the completed Concept Implementation Questionnaire to Antonina Foster.
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Based on the information from your questionnaire, Ms. Foster will determine the next steps involved in the implementation of your CS and will schedule the necessary follow-up meetings with relevant Atlanta MWCCS team members (e.g., Regulatory Coordinator, Site Coordinator, Data Manager).
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You will need a unique Investigator View in DACCTrack. If you do not have a link to your unique Investigator View, you may submit a request.
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If you are requesting specimens from the national MWCCS repository, you will need to complete a DACC Resource Request Form
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During your study implementation phase, please expect to provide the Atlanta MWCCS team with periodic progress updates – i.e., please, fill out the annual progress report, submit conference abstracts and manuscripts for MWCCS review according to publication policies, and notify the Atlanta MWCCS team of all conference presentations, publications, and grant submissions related to your concept sheet.
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National and Atlanta MWCCS annual progress reports. You will receive an email from the MACS/WIHS CCS Data Center to complete an annual progress report. You are expected to complete this by the deadline, or your concept sheet will be closed. You will also be expected to provide information to the Atlanta MWCCS team about conference presentations, publications, and grant submissions related to your concept sheet.
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Conference abstract and manuscript submission. All investigators are required to follow the MWCCS publication policy, which outlines procedures for conference abstract and manuscript submission and publication: MWCCS Publication Policies. Please ensure that you have prepared your abstract and manuscript submission early in order to have time for review by all assigned co-authors and the
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Please, keep up with all necessary study documents and certification: e.g., study specific training logs, lab certifications, yearly study renewals, CITI certification.
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Be mindful of the steps involved in the study completion: e.g., make decisions about the storage of data and leftover samples; transfer your project dataset and data analysis syntax to the data center; remember to submit all conference abstracts and manuscripts resulting from your study for MWCCS review/approval; and continue to notify the Atlanta MWCCS team of all conference presentations, publications, and grant submissions related to your completed concept sheet.