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Process for Obtaining a Letter of Support for Research

​The major difference between research and non-research lies in the purpose of the activity. The purpose of research is to increase scientific knowledge. The purpose of non-research in public health is to prevent or control disease or injury and improve health, or to improve a public health program or service.
  • A research grant funds a systematic investigation designed to produce generalizable knowledge (45 CFR 46.102(d)). It supports projects that test hypotheses, answer research questions, and contribute to the scientific literature within the investigator’s area of expertise.
  • A non research grant supports programmatic, operational, training, service, or demonstration activities aimed at addressing a specific health problem or improving a public health program or service. The primary benefits are for the participants or their community. Data are collected to assess or improve the program, service, or participant health, not to generate generalizable knowledge. Activities are limited in scope and are not experimental.
Harris Health’s Research and Sponsored Programs Department manages the frequent requests for letters of support concerning research grant proposals, request for proposals (RFP) and special projects. Complete the Letter of Support Feasibility Checklist​​​​​​​​ in full and email it to research@harrishealth.org​.  

Requests for letters of support must be submitted at least 15 business days in advance to ensure sufficient time for review and processing. Be sure to include a description of the proposal with enough detail to enable Harris Health to understand and respond to the request, an explanation of how the research project contributes to the Harris Health mission, the budget and the name(s) of the Harris Health executive stakeholder(s) spoken to about this project.

The request will be reviewed by Harris Health executive leadership and once approved a letter of support will be drafted and sent to Harris Health’s CEO for review and final signature. The CEO is the only approved signatory official for research letters of support. The final signed PDF version of the letter will be emailed to the contact person provided on the request form.

Please note that the issuance of a letter of support is not a guarantee or commitment of funding or a contract with Harris Health.