NAPNAP Nutrition Research Scholars Program

Calling all new or early career pediatric-focused NPs and novice or new researchers!

NAPNAP’s new Nutrition Research Scholars Program provides an opportunity for pediatric-focused NPs to present their research or innovations in practice. We are looking for clinical research, evidence-based practice or quality improvement project abstracts focused on a variety of nutrition-related topics and from an array of practice settings (i.e. primary care, acute care/critical care, specialty care, school-based health care, etc.).

This program will assign mentors from NAPNAP’s research committee to assist these novice researchers with the steps necessary to develop and present the results of their research or scholarly project to an audience as well as to write and submit a manuscript for publication to the Journal of Pediatric Health Care. Scholars will receive discounted conference registration, hotel and travel support to attend the 2025 NAPNAP national conference. All abstract applications will be reviewed and scored by members of the NAPNAP research committee. The top four abstracts will be selected to present their research or scholarship project at a podium session at the NAPNAP national conference on Tuesday, March 11. These scholars will be paired with a research committee member or other research expert mentor to assist with the development of their podium presentation and manuscript submission.

Objectives/Goals of Program

Assist and mentor new or early career pediatric-focused NPs and/or new researchers with:

scholarly research skills
advice to develop and present their research or scholarship project and results
guidance on writing and publishing their research or scholarship project and results

Scholar Benefits

One-on-one research mentor
Discounted conference registration to attend NAPNAP’s 2025 National Conference
Two nights at NAPNAP’s conference hotel
Travel stipend to offset travel costs (airfare, ground transportation, meals)

Qualifications for Scholars

Must be an early career pediatric-focused nurse practitioner (1-5 years’ experience), a current DNP or PhD student OR a seasoned nurse practitioner (>5 years’ experience) who is a new researcher (i.e. < 5 years’ experience)
All research or scholarship projects must be focused on feeding and nutrition in infants or children
All research or scholarship projects must be completed and have results at the time of abstract submission
All research or scholarship projects require IRB approval
All scholars agree to submit a manuscript of their final research or scholarship project to the Journal of Pediatric Health Care for publication

If you have any questions, please contact Heather Keesing at [email protected].

Deadline is Dec. 4. Apply today!

Application Requirements

Clinical Research in Nutrition Podium Presentations

This category allows for podium presentations to showcase completed pediatric health care related to pediatric nutrition nursing research. All research study proposals must have IRB approval. Research study proposals do not include evidence-based practice or quality improvement projects. Applicants are encouraged to describe how their work relates to the NAPNAP Research Agenda and the potential clinical or academic relevance to pediatric focused APRNs and pediatric nutrition. Only individuals with completed research are eligible for national conference podium presentations.

Clinical research abstracts should be structured and have no more than 300 words. Structured abstracts should include the following bolded components:

Background & Significance
Purpose/Aims for research study
Methods: including design, sample, inclusion criteria, power analysis (if needed), recruitment, measures/ instruments, IRB approval status, data analysis plan
Results: sample description, outcome findings/results
Discussion/conclusion: conclusions based on data and have scientific merit, future research, and clinical implications

Note: Projects that are not approved by IRB will not be accepted.

Evidence-Based Practice, Quality Improvement, & Practice Innovation in Nutrition Podium Presentations

This category allows for a variety of podium presentations that describe the successful implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP), quality improvement (QI) or innovative practice solutions regarding pediatric nutrition. Applicants are encouraged to describe how their work relates to the NAPNAP Research Agenda and the potential clinical or academic relevance to pediatric focused APRNs and pediatric nutrition. Acknowledgement of IRB exempt status should be included unless full IRB approval is indicated and then documentation and the IRB number should be provided.

EBP and QI abstracts should be structured and have no more than 300 words and include the following bolded sections:

Background & Significance
Purpose for project
Problem statement
Methods: (including design, sampling, inclusion criteria), recruitment, information on measurement instruments, sample, IRB approval status (if indicated), data analysis
Results: sample description, outcomes
Discussion/conclusions (conclusions based on data and have scientific merit, future directions, and clinical implications)

Practice Innovation abstracts should be structured and have no more than 300 words and include the following bolded sections:

Background & Significance
Purpose/Aims of project/change
Details of innovation or evaluation
Outcomes
Discussion of effects/implications, demonstration of improvement, evaluation of change, lessons learned/tips for practice, case study or a model that can be adapted or replicated by other organizations or care providers

Submit your abstract today!

This program is supported by Reckitt/Mead Johnson.