ProofPilot, a Software as a Service (SaaS) clinical trial research platform, is rolling out its first ever Open Invitation for Research, in partnership with the nonprofit organization Greater Gift. 

In advance of Juneteenth and on the heels of its campaign launched in February, ProofPilot is kicking off this initiative and encouraging individuals from Black, Latinx, AAPI, and Native communities (BIPOC) to submit research ideas that focus on issues concerning BIPOC communities. 

The winner will receive training and access to perform their chosen research project on the ProofPilot platform completely free of charge, and, and in partnership with Greater Gift, will receive a minimum of $2,500 to support their research.

"Diversity in clinical trials from both the researcher and participant perspective are essential components to high-quality care and every person, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socio-economic background, should have the opportunity to participate," says Ashlei A. Rodgers, MPH, Director of Strategic Communications at Health Leads and one of the Open Invitation judges, in a news release. "Hence why I am so excited about the Open Invitation for Research – because it reduces the barriers for members from under-represented populations to conduct research and improve health outcomes for their communities." 

Racial and ethnic equity in all facets of research is a poorly addressed issue with a wide range of complicating factors. Historical challenges that affect reduced participation in clinical trials include low income, investigator bias, mistrust in medical research and professionals, limited health and research literacy, and lack of access to transportation. 

"ProofPilot is transforming the traditional clinical trial model to enable more companies and communities to run trials on a wider array of regulated and non-regulated products and services – all without the typically required internal infrastructure," says Joseph Kim, Chief Marketing Officer of ProofPilot. "By automating the clinical trial model and hosting this invitational, we aim to bring more attention to the issues that affect minority and other under-represented groups, while providing resources to solve them."

Greater Gift will be accepting tax-deductible donations on behalf of ProofPilot to support the winners of the competition. 100% of donations received will be disbursed to the winner of the ProofPilot BIPOC Research competition. All donations collected will be in addition to the $2,500 that ProofPilot will be awarding the winning researcher. All topics are welcome, such as medical, social, mental health, nutrition, education, etc., and the winner will be determined by the uniqueness of the research idea, feasibility to implement the research, and value of the research concept to the broader community.

Learn more about this program or submit an application here.