Autoimmune Disorders Grants

Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation/Goldberg Research Grant in Arthritis

Applications due September 15, 2010

New orthopaedic investigators are invited to apply for a research grant in the field of arthritis. The principal or co-principal investigator must be an orthopaedic surgeon. PhDs and DVMs are eligible to apply if affiliated with an orthopaedic department and working with an orthopaedic surgeon who is the principal or co-principal investigator. This grant is available through a generous contribution from Victor M. Goldberg, MD through an endowment fund established to support this program. Applications for projects of a clinical or basic science nature will be accepted. One grant of $50,000 for one year is available for Project Year 2011.

For more information please contact:

Jean McGuire, V.P., Grants (847) 384-4348
Mary Marino, Grants Administrator (847) 384-4359

Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation
6300 N. River Road Suite 700
Rosemont, IL 60018-4261

Tel: (847) 698-9980 Fax: (847) 698-7806
Email: communications@oref.org
 

American College of Rheumatology's 2010 Annual Image Competition

SUBMISSION DEADLINE – Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Your Medical Image Could Make You a Winner!

Do you have a fascinating image or an interesting case study? How about unique physical findings? If so, your medical images could make you a winner in this year’s Annual Image Competition.

The best overall submission will win the grand prize of complimentary registration* to, and four night hotel accommodations for, the 2011 ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meeting. The top submission in each category (still and case study) will win complimentary registration to the 2011 ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meeting.

In addition, the best overall submission and category winning submissions will be published in a future issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism journal and will be featured in the online Rheumatology Image Bank.

Winning images and honorable mentions will be presented during the "Year in Review" session on Monday, November 8 at the 2010 ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meeting in Atlanta.

*Registration does not include pre-meeting courses or conferences, Meet the Professor/Expert sessions, or workshops. One guest registration to the 2011 annual meeting is also included (opening reception and exhibit hall access only).

Please send any questions or comments regarding the Annual Image Competition to products@rheumatology.org.

Helpful Tips!
The Audiovisual Aids Subcommittee has assembled a submission "Wish List" for the image competition.
Images should be of publication quality.
Avoid background clutter.
Crop out unnecessary areas of the image.
Check your lighting and avoid shadows.
Images of radiographic film are best obtained with large bed scanners capable of duplicating negatives or from professional photographic apparatus, such as a copy stand with a light-box.
Alterations of digital images with Photoshop or equivalent software should follow accepted ethical guidelines.

The Rheumatology Image Bank is maintained at the highest level of quality. Therefore, previously published images and/or case studies should not be submitted. Submissions are reviewed and selected by the ACR’s Audiovisual Aids Subcommittee. Judging is based on the quality, content and resolution of the images. All submissions are anonymized prior to judging.

Submissions must not contain images that are copyrighted by anyone other than the submitter. All submissions become the copyrighted property of the College and are considered eligible for inclusion in the online Rheumatology Image Bank and/or for use in other ACR/ARHP products, programs or services. By submitting an image to the competition, you retain rights for reproduction, provided written permission from the College is received in advance.

Any image that reveals the identity of a patient must be submitted with a signed Patient Release Form from that patient. The patient release form is HIPAA compliant. Your state may have more stringent rules than HIPAA regarding patient/physician confidentiality; thus, a signed patient release form may be required even if the image is unidentifiable. Make sure you are aware of your state's laws.

To qualify, you must

Apply Online.
Complete the Online Competition Submission Application.
-- or --
Apply by Mail.

Download and complete the Competition Submission Application and mail to:

American College of Rheumatology
Attn: 2010 Image Competition
2200 Lake Boulevard NE
Atlanta, GA 30319

Attach your image(s), Copyright Assignment Form and, if needed, a Patient Release Form .
A competition submission application, copyright assignment form and, if needed, a patient release form must be completed for each image submitted. There are NO exceptions.

Images submitted that do not meet all the competition rules may be disqualified from the competition.

Conference Student Scholarships: Immunoregulatory Networks

Scholarship Deadline: December 1, 2010 (Midnight US Mountain Standard Time)

Immunoregulatory networks play a pivotal role in preventing autoimmunity, but also restrict anti-tumor immunity and modulate immune responses to pathogens. While regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a central component of this network, there is now the growing realization that there are many other cellular and molecular components that contribute to this network. While this will be is a Treg-centric meeting, it will also focus on how Tregs integrate with other cellular and molecular components to prevent autoimmunity and control immune responses. This meeting will dissect our current understanding of four key areas: development and homeostasis of regulatory populations, molecular control of immunoregulatory networks, mechanisms of regulatory function and regulatory T cell plasticity. A second goal will be to discuss how Tregs interact with different cells types or utilize different cytokines that modulate or indirectly mediate their activity. A third goal will be to assess how the advances presented can be utilized to develop novel therapies for autoimmune disease and cancer.

Keystone Symposia is offering scholarships to students and post-docs this conference season. These scholarships, of up to $1000 each, are to be used to help defray the expenses associated with conference attendance, including air (on a U.S. air carrier), ground transportation and lodging costs. Receipts will be required to receive reimbursement.

Abstracts submitted for poster presentation will be used as the basis for awarding the scholarships. Conference organizers will select the scholarship recipients based on the quality of science of the abstract and the relevance of the abstract to the conference topic. Only one application per abstract is accepted.

Keystone Symposia
221 Summit Place #272
PO Box 1630
Silverthorne, CO 80498
www.keystonesymposia.org

Financial Assistance / Student Scholarships
Phone: +1 (800) 253-0685 or
Ksenia Shambarger - +1 (970) 262-1230 extension 140
Fax: +1 (970) 262-0311

Scleroderma Research Foundation Post-Doctoral Fellowship

Schedule for 2011-2012 Grants

Submission Deadlines
* New Grants: Received by November 30, 2010
* Continuing Grants: Received by December 31, 2010

Review of Applications
* Review: March/April 2011
* Funding Available: April 30, 2011

Required Submission Materials
* Completed, signed application
* Letter from sponsoring principal investigator
* Relevant supplemental material appended to application
* Research proposal
* Three (3) letters of recommendation

The Scleroderma Research Foundation is dedicated to bringing talented early-career scientists to scleroderma research. The Scleroderma Research Foundation Fellows Program aims to attract outstanding postdoctoral fellows with strong records of accomplishment, who have a clear sense of direction and/or novel idea they wish to develop in the field of scleroderma research. In particular, the SRF encourages exploration of new approaches and hypotheses on the pathogenesis of scleroderma.

Up to two, two-year postdoctoral fellowships in scleroderma research will be awarded, with a stipend of $35,000-$55,000 to support the candidate. Funding support from the SRF is in the form of a grant.
Mission of the Scleroderma Research Foundation

In its mission to find a cure for scleroderma, the Scleroderma Research Foundation seeks to advance research by: promoting collaboration and cross-institutional cooperation among scientists in a variety of disciplines; attracting promising new scientists to scleroderma research; maintaining scleroderma Centers of Excellence; and bringing new technology and thinking to the field of scleroderma research.

Eligibility Requirements
* U.S. citizen or permanent resident
* Completion of PhD or MD prior to appointment

Sponsorship
Before submitting a fellowship application, the applicant must identify a sponsoring institution and an individual who will serve as a sponsor and will supervise the training and research experience. The sponsoring institution may be private or public non-profit.

The applicant's sponsor should be an active investigator in the area of the proposed research who will directly supervise the candidate's research. The sponsor must document the availability of staff, research support, and facilities for high-quality research training.

Accountability
Applicants who accept an award from the Scleroderma Research Foundation may be asked to account for how they have spent their grants. Grant recipients will be required to attend the annual SRF Scientific Workshop to present their research.

Scientific Conduct and IRB Approval
The Scleroderma Research Foundation does not assume responsibility for the conduct of the investigation or the acts of the investigator, because the investigator's conduct and actions are under the direction and control of the grantee institution and subject to the institution's medical and scientific policies. Grantee institutions must safeguard the rights and welfare of individuals who participate as subjects in research activities by reviewing proposed activities through an Institutional Review Board (IRB) as specified by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office for Human Research Protections, DHHS (OHRP). Furthermore, grantee institutions must adhere to current U.S. Department of Health and Human Services guidelines regarding financial conflict of interest, recombinant DNA, research misconduct, and vertebrate animals. The Awardee's institution must assure appropriate governance of animal studies as well as human studies.

Application Procedure

1. Open and Save the SRF Post-doctoral Grant Application.

2. Complete the application according to the above guidelines.

3. Copy the completed application onto a CD, DVD, flash drive or other removable media. You may prefer to create a PDF copy of your application and then save it on the removable media.

4. Print and Sign the completed application.

5. Ship by overnight carrier one (1) hardcopy of the signed, completed application, research proposal, relevant appendix material, three letters of recommendation and one (1) copy on CD, DVD or other removable media to:

Victoria Slotfeldt
Scleroderma Research Foundation
220 Montgomery, Suite 1411
San Francisco, CA 94104

For more information, contact Victoria Slotfeldt at:
Tel: 415-834-9444
Fax: 415-834-9177

Submission Deadline
* November 30, 2010 (new applications)
* December 31, 2010 (continuing grants)

Review Considerations
Completed applications will be evaluated by the SRF Scientific Advisory Board.

Fellows will be selected on the basis of previous achievements, the commitment of the applicant, sponsor and sponsoring institution to scleroderma research, the scientific and technical merit of the research proposal, and the relevance of the proposal to the SRF's ongoing research program.

J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects

Patrick was a very inquisitive person by nature. He loved to collect information, and you never knew when or how he would use it constructively in a discussion. (Not to mention the fact that he was a whiz at Trivial Pursuit!) So it is fitting in his memory to support nurses in the clinical application of their own inquisitiveness to benefit patient care.

PROGRAM GOALS
For the Foundation: Funding research and evidence-based practice projects links our yearning to impact treatment of patients with auto-immune diseases and cancer and our passion for the compassionate work nurses do in medical facilities all over the country.

For Nurses: This program provides support for nurses who

Continually evaluate their practice
Seek answers to clinical questions in an effort to improve their practice
Change their practice based on evidence and evaluation of that change
For Patients With Auto-Immune Diseases and Cancer: Nurses will improve care outcomes as a result of their findings!

GENERAL GUIDELINES
To be eligible, you must be a registered nurse with a current license
Applicants should be ready to implement their projects immediately following funding from The DAISY Foundation.
Only projects approved by your IRB or which have been exempted in writing by your IRB will be considered. A copy of your IRB approval will be required prior to our funding your grant. (You may, however, apply for a grant while IRB approval is pending.)
Funds may be used only for direct expenses, including:
Printed materials for study
Small equipment
Supplies (including software)
Subject compensation to participate in the study
Consultant fees up to $500, if justified
Funds may not be used for salaries or institutional overhead
Checks will only be written to your institution or a specified fund at your institution, not to an individual investigator.

PROJECT FOCUS
Research must impact patients or family members of patients with an auto-immune disease or cancer. Studies that will benefit patients both within and outside of your institution will receive priority. If your study's demographics do not include a significant percentage of patients with an auto-immune disease or cancer, it will not qualify.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND TIMING
This year, all application materials will be submitted on-line. Each Applicant will be required to submit a Letter of Intent prior to the full grant proposal. The DAISY Foundation’s Grant Panel will review the Letters of Intent to ensure they follow essential grant guidelines. Applicants will be informed whether or not they should proceed to a full application. If the Grant Panel has any questions about your study, we will contact you for clarification.

There will be two application cycles, so you may choose to follow either of the following time lines:

CYCLE 1
DUE DATE

Letters of Intent to be submitted on-line
Friday, April 2nd, 2010

Applicants will be informed of the acceptance or denial of their Letters of Intent
Friday, April 23rd, 2010

Complete grant applications to be submitted on-line
Friday, May 28th, 2010

Applicants to be informed whether or not their proposal will be funded
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

CYCLE 2
DUE DATE

Letters of Intent to be submitted on-line
Friday, September 3rd, 2010

Applicants will be informed of the acceptance or denial of their Letters of Intent
Friday, September 24th, 2010

Complete grant applications to be submitted on-line
Friday, October 29th, 2010

Applicants to be informed whether or not their proposal will be funded
Friday, December 10th, 2010

Please note that funding in the second cycle is subject to funds remaining in The DAISY Foundation’s grant budget.

GRANT AWARDS AND GUIDELINES
Two types of grants are available, as described below.

Evidence-based Practice Grants (up to $2,000)
These will be awarded to stimulate the use of patient-focused data and/or previously generated research findings to develop, implement and evaluate changes in nursing practice in treatment of patients with cancer and auto-immune diseases. We encourage nurses who have research/EBP experience as well as those who do not to apply.

Funds for Evidence-Based Practice projects may be awarded for new projects, projects in progress, and projects required for an academic degree as long as all other project criteria are met. Eligible projects may include research utilization studies, continuous quality improvement projects, performance improvement initiatives, or outcomes evaluation projects. Interdisciplinary and collaborative projects are encouraged and may involve interdisciplinary teams, multiple nursing units, home health, sub-acute and transitional care, other institutions or community agencies.

The Project Leader/Team Leader must be a nurse who is currently employed or formally affiliated with a clinical setting with direct patient care involvement.

A Project Mentor is strongly recommended for each EBP grant application. We encourage Applicants to find a Mentor in your own institution, nearby school of nursing, or community. If you desire a Mentor and are unable to find one, The DAISY Foundation will provide time-limited mentor support.

Mentors will provide the following benefits which will be especially helpful for less experienced Applicants:

Help potential DAISY Grant Applicants become familiar with resources and problem-solve grant issues or concerns
Advise and refer Applicants to appropriate internal and external resources
Establish availability by phone or email to Applicants
Review grant application and provide feedback/guidance as needed
Your Mentor should be an established Advanced Practice Nurse who provides support to in the development and submission of an evidence-based practice grant. Mentors will assist Applicants in the development of the grant application, serving as a coach and advisor to the Mentee.

Research Grants (up to $5,000)
The Research Grant provides awards to qualified individuals carrying out clinical research studies that directly benefit patients and/or families involving treatment of cancer and auto-immune diseases.

The Principal Investigator (PI) must be currently employed or formally affiliated with a clinical setting with direct patient care involvement. Funds may be awarded for new projects, projects in progress, and projects required for an academic degree as long as all other project criteria are met.

As with EBP projects, we encourage you to identify a Mentor, especially if you are less experienced in applying for a research grant. If you desire a Mentor and are unable to find one, The DAISY Foundation will provide time-limited mentor support.

With both EBP and Research grants, we will fund only direct expenses. We will not pay for institution overhead, fees to institutional review boards, Applicants’ time, etc.

SUBSEQUENT GRANTS TO SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS TO DISSEMINATE STUDY FINDINGS (UP TO $2,000)
The DAISY Foundation will help successful Grantees share the results of their findings with other nurses and institutions. Therefore, final research reports will be posted on The DAISY Foundation’s web site. For the first time this year, once funded EBP projects and Research studies are underway, Grantees may apply for subsequent funding to present findings at professional conferences. These subsequent grants will provide up to $2,000 for

Fees to present at a professional conference
Travel expenses to the conference
Poster production
Funds will only be provided to Grantees whose projects have been approved for presentation by a professional conference. A separate application will be provided to Grantees to submit for this funding.

THE APPLICATION PACKAGE
As mentioned above, all materials will be provided to The DAISY Foundation electronically through its web site. Should you have any questions or problems completing the forms, please email bonniebarnes@DAISYfoundation.org.

Applicants will complete the following forms:

A fact sheet about the Applicants, your study, and your Mentor, if you will have one.
A detailed Proposal for either your EBP project or your Research study (There are different forms for EBP and Research projects, so please choose the correct one for your study.)
You will upload the following:

Study timeline
Detailed budget
Letters of Support
1 is required from your Chief Nursing Officer or other appropriate institution leader
No more than 2 additional letters of support may be submitted - only if they are relevant to your proposal (e.g. if outside organizations are involved, you may provide a letter from the organizations' leadership)
Attachments such as
Consent Forms
Interview formats, discussion guides, etc.
Other documents you feel important to our evaluation of your proposal
For Research grants, Applicant’s CV
For EBP grants, Applicant’s resume or CV
A signed Letter of Agreement is required for your grant application to be considered. A copy of this Letter of Agreement follows the Evidence-Based Practice and Research Grant Fact Sheet and Proposal forms. Please copy and paste it onto your institution’s letterhead, complete and sign it. Then, scan it into your computer, and email it to bonniebarnes@DAISYfoundation.org. Only applications with this signed Letter of Agreement will be considered complete and ready for consideration by the Grant Panel.

Proof of your Institutional Review Board (IRB)’s approval is needed prior to The DAISY Foundation’s actually funding your project. If a project is exempt from IRB approval, proof of that exemption is required.

IF YOUR GRANT IS FUNDED...

Interim and Final Reports
At the half-way point and/or conclusion of your study (as described above), please plan to submit the following:

Summary of project objectives
Summary of findings
Recommendations as result of study
Financial summary
Check for any unused funds

Please email interim and final reports to bonniebarnes@DAISYfoundation.org.

Publishing Your Research
If you receive funding from us, please recognize The DAISY Foundation upon publication/presentation of your research in the following way:

Funding provided by The DAISY Foundation’s J. Patrick Barnes Grant for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects (www.DAISYfoundation.org)

A DAISY Foundation logo will be provided for your use.

We will post the findings of your study on our web site and will discuss with you the specifics prior to our doing so.

The DAISY Foundation
PO Box 788
Glen Ellen, CA 95442

For The DAISY Award in the U.S. Eastern and Central time zones, please contact
Tena Barnes Carraher, Vice President, Co-founder
(678) 364-0683
tenabarnescarraher@DAISYfoundation.org

For The DAISY Award In the Pacific and Mountain time zones for
international assistance, and for all other programs, please contact
Bonnie Barnes, President, Co-founder
(707) 996-7936
bonniebarnes@DAISYfoundation.org

Scleroderma Foundation New Investigator Grant

Purpose: The Scleroderma Foundation is seeking applications from promising new investigators who hold faculty or equivalent positions and who wish to pursue a career in research related to systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma). This grant will support promising research that is likely to lead to individual research project grants.

Eligibility Requirements: Applications may be submitted by domestic non-profit organizations, public and private such as universities, colleges, hospitals and laboratories. Foreign organizations and institutions are not eligible. These new investigator grants may not be used to support thesis or dissertation research or fellowship training. Applicants must have a doctoral degree in Medicine, Osteopathy, Veterinary Medicine or one of the sciences and must have completed a postdoctoral fellowship by the grant award date. Applicants who have been a Principal Investigator on grants from the Scleroderma Foundation or other national, private or government agencies other than fellowship grants are not eligible for this award.

Investigators who have questions about eligibility should contact the Scleroderma Foundation (see below).

Mechanism of Support: Applicants may request up to $50,000 (Up to 8% of the Direct Costs per year of award may be set aside as indirect costs. The indirect costs will be subtracted from the yearly total (up to $50,000) of the award.) per year for up to three years (total for three years not to exceed $150,000). These awards are not renewable. Before completion of this grant, investigators are encouraged to seek continuing support for research through other grant mechanisms through private or government agencies. Replacement of the Principal Investigator on this award is not permitted. There will be no routine escalation for future years.

Awards are contingent on the availability of funds and the receipt of sufficiently meritorious applications meeting the stated eligibility requirements.

Research Objectives: The Scleroderma Foundation New Investigator Grant is designed to facilitate the entry of promising new investigators into areas of research related to SSc.

Application Instructions
Grant Application Deadline: Sept. 15th annually by 5 p.m. EST.

Attention: Development and Research Manager
Scleroderma Foundation
300 Rosewood Drive, Suite 105, Danvers, MA 01923
Phone: 978-463-5843; Fax: 978-463-5809
E-mail: tsperry@scleroderma.org

Grant applications that do not meet guidelines will not be reviewed.

American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation/Abbott Health Professional Graduate Student Research Preceptorship

The American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation supports programs that promote rheumatology research and training, and that introduce medical students and other health professionals to the field of rheumatology.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL AWARDS
Application, format and submission requirement: All applications must be submitted electronically via the ACR REF Web site by 4:00 PM (EST) on the deadline. Please avoid jargon and abbreviations in your application. To submit your application, visit the Web site for a link to the online application, which will be available at least 30 days prior to each deadline. Additional information is available at www.rheumatology.org/REF, or by contacting the REF at (404) 633-3777.

Application Deadline

Cycle Applications Due Online Recipients Notified By Award Paid
I May 1, 2010 June 15 July 1
II August 1, 2010 September 15 October 1
III November 1, 2010 December 15 January 1, 2011
Disclosure: For disclosure purposes, any relationship with industry that the applicant or sponsoring institution might feel would be a potential conflict of interest should be noted in a letter from the institution.

Transfer policy: Awards may not be transferred between individuals. Requests for transfer of award between institutions should be made using the REF checklist (available upon request), and a decision regarding such a transfer will lie with the REF.

Patent policy: The REF relinquishes rights to patents to awardee and institution, with this exception: the REF reserves the right to obtain access and make public scientific information produced through the REF's support.
Review of applications: Applications will not be blinded for the review process. Any perception of conflict of interest for reviewers will be eliminated during this time. Only applications that are complete and received online by the deadline will be reviewed.

Notification and Funding: Recipients will be notified within 8 weeks of the deadline, and all award payments will be made within 2 weeks receipt of required paperwork.

Purpose
The purpose of this award is to introduce students to rheumatology-related health care by supporting full-time research by a graduate student in the broad area of rheumatic disease.

Eligibility Only students enrolled in an accredited graduate school are eligible. Preceptors are responsible for selecting student applicants and must be members of ARHP or ACR. Preceptors must complete the online submission of the application. Individuals who are personally related to the proposed student are not eligible to serve as the student's Preceptor.

Citizenship
Applicant must be a citizen or non- citizen national of the United States or
be in lawful possession of a permanent resident card. Non-citizen nationals are generally persons born in outlying possessions of the United States (e.g., American Samoa and Swains Island). Individuals on temporary (J1, H1) or student visas are not eligible.

Award Terms and Funding
This is a one-year award. Students must complete eight-week research program within one academic year. Students will receive a $3,500 stipend. Preceptors will receive a $1,000 stipend (stipend may be waived and contributed toward student supplies) as well as $1,000 to cover related laboratory expenses. Students are also eligible to receive complimentary registration as well as reimbursement for up to $1,000 in travel expenses to attend the ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meeting during the current award year or the following year. Students must notify the REF prior to attendance to receive these benefits.

Reporting Requirements
The preceptor must participate in all efforts to track the outcome of the student(s) that participate in the program during the time of the award and for up to three years after the award. Each participant (preceptor and student) will be required to complete an evaluation form at the end of his or her participation in the program.

Review Criteria
Each applicant will be reviewed on the following criteria:
1. Project's scientific merit and relevance to rheumatic disease research (clinical and basic science)
2. Preceptor's credentials as related to the project and previous experiences as a mentor/sponsor
3. Appropriateness and feasibility of student‟s role in the project
4. Institutional research environment, including any coursework or seminars specifically designed for summer students

Funding Source
Funding for this award is made possible through the Abbott Endowment for Rheumatology Development.

ACR Research and Education Foundation
2200 Lake Boulevard NE
Atlanta, GA 30319
Phone: (404) 633-3777
Fax: (404) 633-1870

American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation/Abbott Health Professional Graduate Student Research Preceptorship

The American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation supports programs that promote rheumatology research and training, and that introduce medical students and other health professionals to the field of rheumatology.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL AWARDS
Application, format and submission requirement: All applications must be submitted electronically via the ACR REF Web site by 4:00 PM (EST) on the deadline. Please avoid jargon and abbreviations in your application. To submit your application, visit the Web site for a link to the online application, which will be available at least 30 days prior to each deadline. Additional information is available at www.rheumatology.org/REF, or by contacting the REF at (404) 633-3777.

Application Deadline

Cycle Applications Due Online Recipients Notified By Award Paid
I May 1, 2010 June 15 July 1
II August 1, 2010 September 15 October 1
III November 1, 2010 December 15 January 1, 2011
Disclosure: For disclosure purposes, any relationship with industry that the applicant or sponsoring institution might feel would be a potential conflict of interest should be noted in a letter from the institution.

Transfer policy: Awards may not be transferred between individuals. Requests for transfer of award between institutions should be made using the REF checklist (available upon request), and a decision regarding such a transfer will lie with the REF.

Patent policy: The REF relinquishes rights to patents to awardee and institution, with this exception: the REF reserves the right to obtain access and make public scientific information produced through the REF's support.
Review of applications: Applications will not be blinded for the review process. Any perception of conflict of interest for reviewers will be eliminated during this time. Only applications that are complete and received online by the deadline will be reviewed.

Notification and Funding: Recipients will be notified within 8 weeks of the deadline, and all award payments will be made within 2 weeks receipt of required paperwork.

Purpose
The purpose of this award is to introduce students to rheumatology-related health care by supporting full-time research by a graduate student in the broad area of rheumatic disease.

Eligibility Only students enrolled in an accredited graduate school are eligible. Preceptors are responsible for selecting student applicants and must be members of ARHP or ACR. Preceptors must complete the online submission of the application. Individuals who are personally related to the proposed student are not eligible to serve as the student's Preceptor.

Citizenship
Applicant must be a citizen or non- citizen national of the United States or
be in lawful possession of a permanent resident card. Non-citizen nationals are generally persons born in outlying possessions of the United States (e.g., American Samoa and Swains Island). Individuals on temporary (J1, H1) or student visas are not eligible.

Award Terms and Funding
This is a one-year award. Students must complete eight-week research program within one academic year. Students will receive a $3,500 stipend. Preceptors will receive a $1,000 stipend (stipend may be waived and contributed toward student supplies) as well as $1,000 to cover related laboratory expenses. Students are also eligible to receive complimentary registration as well as reimbursement for up to $1,000 in travel expenses to attend the ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meeting during the current award year or the following year. Students must notify the REF prior to attendance to receive these benefits.

Reporting Requirements
The preceptor must participate in all efforts to track the outcome of the student(s) that participate in the program during the time of the award and for up to three years after the award. Each participant (preceptor and student) will be required to complete an evaluation form at the end of his or her participation in the program.

Review Criteria
Each applicant will be reviewed on the following criteria:
1. Project's scientific merit and relevance to rheumatic disease research (clinical and basic science)
2. Preceptor's credentials as related to the project and previous experiences as a mentor/sponsor
3. Appropriateness and feasibility of student‟s role in the project
4. Institutional research environment, including any coursework or seminars specifically designed for summer students

Funding Source
Funding for this award is made possible through the Abbott Endowment for Rheumatology Development.

ACR Research and Education Foundation
2200 Lake Boulevard NE
Atlanta, GA 30319
Phone: (404) 633-3777
Fax: (404) 633-1870