Abstract Number ‐ 180: A Novel Internet Platform for Neurovascular Research Collaboration and Funding

Abstract

Introduction The current neurovascular research funding environment is highly competitive, stifling collaboration and hindering progress. Further, specific groups of researchers/research topics are disproportionately affected, resulting in inequity in the funding process. These include early‐career researchers, women, and researchers from low‐middle income countries. Certain conditions, e.g., rare, stroke‐related diseases are due to their low prevalence not suitable for clinical trials, and therefore even less likely to receive funding. Currently, there is no easy way for people working on such topics to come together and collaborate. To address this problem, a novel internet‐based platform, Collavidence (www.collavidence.com), was designed. The idea is to complement current systems of neurovascular research collaboration and funding for more inclusive, efficient, and impactful research results. The aim of this study is to present the initial performance of the platform in achieving this goal. Methods Analytics on pre‐defined user‐, project‐, and interaction‐based metrics will be performed to describe the level of platform engagement in the initial months following launch. These include the number of users and projects posted, the amount of funding accumulated, the proportion of successfully funded projects, and the iterative improvement of the proposals. Further, the relative engagement of early‐career, female researchers, and researchers from low‐middle‐income countries will be assessed. Results A qualitative assessment of the value of the overall platform, the process of iterative review, and possibilities for collaboration will be presented. Further, trends in platform engagement during the initial 3 months, including the relative distribution of specific user demographics to assess the platform’s success in encouraging equity, diversity, and inclusion, will be presented. Conclusions This study will assess the feasibility and initial success of Collavidence as a unique platform for neurovascular research collaboration and funding.