At Pitch Partners, we bring local university researchers and community together to tackle challenging issues. This is an open call for projects project ideas that focus on healthy aging, particularly projects focused on equity in aging and longevity across St. Louis.
Community organizations or university faculty are invited to submit ideas for research projects, program expansions, program evaluations, new interventions, and other projects related to improving the health and wellness of older adults in the greater St. Louis region.
This Pitch Partners is focused broadly around projects that address healthy aging in the St. Louis region. Examples of topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Healthy Communities for healthy lifespans
- Aging-in-place initiatives
- “Blue zones”
- Nutrition and fitness for older adults
- Longevity
- Health and wellness programs
Pitch Partners will take place in person at Delmar DivINe. This event is free to attend, but registration is required. Refreshments will be provided.
Delmar DivINe is located at 5501 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63112. Get directions.
Parking is available in the Belt Parking lot located off of Belt Avenue, and directly across the street from the main entrance of Delmar DivINe. View the parking map.
How it works
Pitch presentations
Up to five selected individuals and/or teams will present five minute pitch-style presentations. Teams can use a variety of visual media.
Review & feedback
Following each presentation, presenters will hear feedback from a review panel and participate in Q&A with the audience.
Partnership development
The event will end with pitch-specific breakout rooms for networking, sharing insights, and additional input. Often, this is where partnerships start to develop.
Please submit your proposal using this form by Monday, February 10, 2025. Five project ideas will be selected, and teams will be notified by Friday, February 14, 2025.
In your proposal, you will provide the following information:
- A brief description of your group/organization or research
- Description of the population you serve or population of research focus
- The health or wellness need or a problem statement. Please include brief background information or data that supports the statement
- What is a potential solution to this problem? Please include a description of your proposed intervention, current intervention, and/or what information you are looking to gather through research or evaluation.
- Describe your ideal partner. If you are a community member, please describe what kind of university research partner you would like to work with. If you are a researcher, please include what types of community partner(s) you would like to work with. This can include interest areas or specialties, goals of the project (publication, new intervention, data gathering for later work, etc.), personality traits, etc.
- Describe what feedback would be most helpful to you from the review panelists, audience, or potential partners.
- Your plans to sustain new or ongoing community-engaged research partnership(s), including possible funding streams, partnership strengthening activities, etc. If you are unsure, that is ok!
Pitch Partners: Healthy Long Lives
- Accepting proposals December 2, 2024-February 10, 2025
- Pitch teams will be notified by February 14, 2025
- Pitch Partners event on March 6, 2025
PP2 Seed Funding
- Application period open March 24-June 20
- Funding cycle begins fall 2025
After the live event, participants will receive feedback and connection to potential partners. Presenting teams will then be invited to apply for a rapid seed funding opportunity. Presenting at the in-person Pitch Partners event does not guarantee a partnership or funding.
“Community partners” include health and social service providers, faith organizations, neighborhood groups, non-profit organizations, public health agencies, and others who live and work within St. Louis’ many communities. Community partners may work with specific groups or geographic areas, or broadly serve the entire region.
Agenda
- Welcome
- Presentations and Q&A
- Pitch-specific breakout rooms