MCW Center for Advancing Population Science (CAPS) Membership Guidelines & Application
Membership in the Center for Advancing Population Science (CAPS) of the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is open to individuals who have demonstrated an interest in health services research (HSR) and/or associated clinical activities.
Membership Benefits
Membership in CAPS is a privilege that provides several unique benefits:
All Members
- Receive CAPS communications (e.g., announcements and newsletters)
- Invited to CAPS activities (e.g. seminars, faculty/staff meetings, retreats)
Core investigators may take advantage of the following additional benefits:
- Membership listing on the CAPS website and Annual Report
- Opportunities for leadership in CAPS
- Potential access to CAPS space
- Priority access and negotiated rates to use CAPS shared resources
CAPS Shared Resources*
Units – Areas of Expertise and Mentoring
- Biostatistics & health economics
- Qualitative & mixed methodology
- Veterans Administration
- Health systems research
- Population health
- Community engagement
- Health disparities
- Additionally, CAPS investigators have expertise in specific clinical/therapeutic areas (e.g., primary care, diabetes, breast cancer, osteoporosis, pediatrics)
Research Conduct
- Accessing and managing large datasets
- Financial management
- IRB submissions and progress reports
- Manuscript preparation
- Poster design
- Qualitative interviewing and coding
- Research-associated administrative and budgetary support
- Servers, computing, data storage
*Note that specific expertise is limited to design advice unless funding is available to support investigator/staff time.
See the Faculty Collaboration Database for a complete list of all Center for Advancing Population Science Center Members – principal investigators and affiliated faculty.
Membership Criteria
Core Investigators
Core Investigators must meet the following requirements:
- MCW academic (faculty) appointment
- Self-identified primary research home is CAPS
- Clear commitment to participant in CAPS activities
- Attend CAPS seminars
- Attend CAPS faculty/staff meetings
- Agree to contribute to CAPS shared resources as appropriate
Plus at least one of the following requirements:
- Grants administered through CAPS
- Office space in CAPS
- Staff housed in CAPS space
Associate Investigators
Associate Investigators must meet the following requirements:
- MCW academic (faculty) appointment OR a professional appointment with MCW-affiliated hospitals OR organizations deemed appropriate by the Director of CAPS
- Conduct research in CAPS priority areas
- Clear commitment to participant in CAPS activities
- Attend CAPS seminars
- Attend CAPS faculty/staff meetings
Plus at least one of the following requirements:
- Self-identified secondary research home is CAPS
- Co-investigator, collaborator, or consultant on a grant lead by a CAPS Core Investigator
Affiliate Investigators
Affiliate Investigators must meet the following requirements:
- MCW postdoc, fellow, student, or trainee
- Either mentored by a CAPS Core Investigator or supported (funded) by a CAPS Core Investigator
- Clear commitment to participate in CAPS activities
- Attend CAPS seminars
- Attend CAPS faculty/staff meetings
Staff Members
Staff Members must meet the following requirements:
- Employed by CAPS
- Funded by a CAPS Core Investigator
- Supports research of a CAPS Core Investigator
- Supports core mission of CAPS with commitment to participate in CAPS activities
- Attend CAPS seminars
- Attend CAPS faculty/staff meetings
Application Process
- Read the membership criteria above and determine which membership level is appropriate.
- Complete and submit the online application below.
- Applicants will receive written notification of the decision indicating their type of membership following membership review.
Once an application for membership has been received, the application will be evaluated and a recommendation will be made to the Director.
New membership applications will be reviewed monthly and every member will be reviewed at least once a year to ensure they continue to meet all criteria for membership status. As a result of this evaluation, members may be reminded of the requirements and encouraged to maintain their eligibility status. The evaluation is based on member productivity with respect to publications, grants, and contributions to the Center.