APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
SIMD/Ucyclyd Fellowship in Biochemical Genetics
Application Deadline: May 15, 2007
I. DESCRIPTION
The SIMD/Ucyclyd fellowship is designed to provide research training in the field of inborn errors of metabolism to eligible individuals. Ucyclyd will provide support for the program in the form of an unrestricted educational grant to the SIMD. Funding for one individual for two years will be made every year. The topic of the research may involve any aspect of inborn errors of metabolism including laboratory and clinical research.
II. ELIGIBILITY
Individuals eligible to apply for the fellowship must have a doctoral degree (M.D., Ph.D., D.O., or Pharm.D.) and currently be working under the supervision of an SIMD member. Individuals currently enrolled in ABMG training programs in clinical or biochemical genetics are encouraged to apply. Individuals from outside the United States are eligible to apply so long as they meet the other eligibility requirements. A maximum of one award will be made to such individuals.
III. FUNDING
The SIMD will provide $50,000/year of total direct costs for up to two years. Awarding of the second year of funding is contingent upon demonstration of suitable progress in the first year. In addition, 8% in indirect costs will be provided to the grantee’s institution.
IV. APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications for funding will be due at 5 p.m. PST on May 15, 2007. Funding will begin on July 1, 2007.
The application packet should be e-mailed in MS-Word, RTF, or PDF format and should include:
1)
Completed Award Cover Page.
2) Research Plan Narrative (limit 6 pages + literature cited) justifying the request for funding. The narrative should include:
a) Hypothesis and Specific Aims
b) Background and Significance
c) Preliminary Data
d) Study Design and Research Methods
e) Statistical Analysis, including sample size calculation
f) Human Subjects (NIH requirements, including targeted enrollment tables using PHS 398 Form—if necessary, see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html)
g) Literature cited (not included in page number)
3) The complete IRB protocol and consent form submitted to the local institutional review board. Final IRB approval is not required at the time of application, but final approval will be required before distribution of awarded funds.
4) NIH Biographical Sketch for Investigator and any co-investigators, including Other Support (four-page limit-new NIH format) – form attached
5) The NIH Biosketch of the applicant’s SIMD mentor, including Other Support (four-page limit-new NIH format) – form attached
6) Letter of support from the SIMD mentor describing the applicant’s academic qualifications and stating that sufficient resources are available as needed for the completion of the proposed project. The letter should be signed, printed, and a hardcopy mailed or faxed to Leslie Lublink (address below).
7) Application checklist - attached
Late applications will not be considered for
funding.
Application materials are available here in
Word format and
PDF format.
V. REVIEW PROCESS
Each application will be reviewed by an Award Committee chosen by the SIMD Board of Directors. This Committee will include, but not be limited to, the current President, President-elect, and Past-President of the SIMD. Review will be completed by June 1, 2007 and the selections will be announced by June 5, 2007.
VI. SELECTION CRITERIA
Awards will be based on the scientific merit of the proposed science and the academic potential of the applicant. Any area of inborn errors of metabolism may be addressed and the project may propose laboratory or clinical research.
Regarding the project:
1) A defined focused hypothesis that can be tested within the time for which funding is provided, will address a scientifically important question, and advance the training and experience of the awardee. Proposed clinical studies must fit the NIH definition for clinical research.
2) Adequacy of commitment and environment to ensure successful completion of the project.
3) Importance of the scientific question proposed.
4) Appropriate consideration of study design, subject recruitment, statistical analysis, subject safety plan, inclusion of gender and ethnic balance, and commitment of the applicant and mentor.
VII. PERIOD OF SUPPORT AND REQUIRED REPORTS
Funding will be for a period of two years. Support for the second year is contingent upon adequate progress in the first year of the award. This should be documented in a short (1-2 page single-spaced summary of progress) detailing important findings to date and any publications or meeting abstracts submitted. The report should be received by the SIMD one month before the end of the first funded year. Awardees are expected to attend the annual meeting of the SIMD in 2008 and 2009 and present their research findings. Additional travel awards will be made available to the awardee for this purpose. Ucyclyd may arrange a gathering of awardees, their mentors, and SIMD representatives at the annual meeting of the SIMD. In years when the annual meeting of the SIMD is canceled in lieu of the International Congress on Inherited Metabolic Disorders, the gathering may be held in conjunction with the American College of Medical Genetics annual meeting. Expenses for this gathering will be provided by Ucyclyd.
VIII. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION
An electronic version of the completed application packet should be e-mailed in Microsoft Word, RTF or PDF format to Leslie Lublink at lublinkl@ohsu.edu. The letter of support from the SIMD mentor should be mailed or faxed to the address below. All application materials must be received by 5:00 pm PST on May 15, 2007. Late applications will not be reviewed. For questions contact:
Leslie Lublink, Administrator SIMD
17007 Old River Dr.
Lake Oswego, OR 97034
Phone: (503) 636-9228, Fax: (503) 210-1511
e-mail: lublinkl@ohsu.edu