Grants>Health Technology

Request for Applications for Point-of-Care Ultrasound Research

The Endowment for Education and Research (EER) of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) has issued a request for applications (RFA) to investigate the reliability of various methods to measure competence of individuals who use 1 or more point-of-care ultrasound applications. Up to $50,000 has been allocated for 1 or more grants in this area. Deadline for submission is March 1, 2012.

Study to Assess Competency in Point-of-Care Applications of Ultrasound

The Endowment for Education and Research (EER) of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) is issuing a request for applications (RFA) for studies to assess the competency of individuals who use point-of-care ultrasound applications. Proposals should address 1 or more applications of point-of-care ultrasound (defined as ultrasound imaging, for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, performed on the patient by a provider in real time as a component of a care episode). For examples of point-of-care applications, see the article "Point-of-Care Ultrasonography" by Moore CL and Copel JA (N Engl J Med 2011:364:749-57).

The purpose of this RFA is to investigate the reliability of various methods to measure competence in 1 or more point-of-care applications of ultrasound. As such, the method of measuring competence is critical, must be reliable, and must be adequately explained. The evaluation should take into account the background and training of the providers, and the specific setting in which the point-of-care ultrasound is provided. Assessment of competency should include independent blinded review of images, evaluating both the quality of the images obtained and diagnostic accuracy. If the point-of-care application is for therapeutic purposes, evaluation of the ability to perform the procedure should also be assessed. Studies should comply with the AIUM Practice Guideline for Documentation of an Ultrasound Examination, and with the AIUM official statement Interpretation of Ultrasound Examinations.

Additional information

The AIUM's Endowment for Education and Research has allocated up to $50,000 for 1 or more grants in this area.
The deadline for submission of applications is March 1, 2012. Announcement of any funded studies is anticipated immediately following the 2012 AIUM Annual Convention. Funding will commence shortly thereafter.

Only 1 application per individual will be accepted, and the proposal would preferably include evidence of prior experience in similar investigations. Presentation of preliminary results at the 2013 AIUM Annual Convention is encouraged. Presentation of final results is expected at the 2014 AIUM Annual Convention. A progress report will be required at 6 months and a final report within 3 months of completion of the project. The AIUM should be kept informed of publications and presentations resulting from AIUM support, even after submission of the final progress report. Notation acknowledging AIUM support should be made in all publications and presentations.

Funds should be disbursed to tax-exempt organizations. If the grant recipient is not tax exempt per IRS Publication 78, the grant recipient will be issued a 1099 for tax-reporting purposes. Exempt organizations must supply a copy of their IRS Determination Letter and all others must complete a Form W9 before funds can be disbursed.

The AIUM will distribute all funds to the principal investigator and/or his/her institution. Subdivision of funds (identified in the budget proposal) to other participants will be the responsibility of the host institution, in coordination with the principal investigator. Prior to the distribution of funds, the AIUM will require a signed agreement between the host institution and the AIUM. Institutional overhead (indirect) costs will not be funded. Funds will be disbursed on the following basis: 50% at award, 40% at receipt of a satisfactory 6-month progress report, and 10% at receipt of final report.

Members of the AIUM Board of Governors or members of the granting committee may not apply. No more than $1,000 in grant funding may be used for travel. Travel expenses must be consistent with the AIUM travel policy. Funding of IRB and/or capital equipment is not allowed. The AIUM defines capital equipment as equipment costing more than $1000.

Submit the following items to apply for a grant:

A completed Application and Budget Form with signatures of the responsible official at the applicant's institution (Grants Administration/IRB) and department chair. Include percentage of time investigators and identified support personnel will allocate to this project even if no salary reimbursement is requested.

A 4- to 7-page summary describing the proposed project addressing the criteria listed below. Number and identify each section as indicated:

Objective: Specific aims of the project.
Relevance: To the field of ultrasound.
Background: Including preliminary data.
Methods: Experimental design to accomplish the aims of the project.
Support: Facilities and equipment available at your institution needed for successful completion of this project.
Bibliography: Relevant to the research (maximum of 1 page)

A statement of the responsibilities of the principal investigator and any co-investigators (on a separate page).

An abbreviated curriculum vitae for the principal investigator and any co-investigators (NIH format is appropriate), including education and/or professional experience and pertinent bibliography; a maximum of 2 pages per individual.

A page detailing any current or prior grant support received by the principal investigator and any co-investigators.

Submission instructions (DEADLINE: March 1, 2012)

E-mail a PDF of the completed application with all attachments to education_research@aium.org, or mail the completed application to: AIUM EER Grant Application, 14750 Sweitzer Lane, Suite 100, Laurel, MD 20707-5906

You will receive a confirmation e-mail within a week of your submission. If you do not receive a confirmation e-mail within a week, please contact Janet Campbell at 301-498-4100 or jcampbell@aium.org to make sure we have received your application.

Grass Fellowships in Advanced Imaging

The Grass Foundation is pleased to announce the creation of a new fellowship program in advanced imaging at the Marine Biological Laboratories (MBL): the Grass Fellowships in Advanced Imaging.

PURPOSE: The MBL is host to a wide range of microscopy systems each summer and is rapidly becoming a regional center for advanced imaging. During the summer of 2011, available systems included confocal, two-photon, structured illumination microscopy, PALM, STED as well as other non-commercial systems. The goal of the Grass Fellowships in Advanced Imaging is to make this remarkable resource available to the broader scientific community. The fellowships will support individuals working in any area of neuroscience, at any stage of their career ranging from graduate student to professor. This opportunity is intended to allow individuals to bring their preparations to the MBL for up to four weeks, learning and utilizing the available microscopy resources, gathering data and interacting with other imaging specialists. Grass Fellows in Advanced Imaging will be integrated into the traditional Grass Fellows program during the month of July, providing a rich intellectual environment and access to many activities at the MBL. As such, Imaging Fellows will receive bench space in the Grass Laboratory for sample preparation and will be expected to attend Grass Laboratory lab meetings. In addition, Imaging Fellows are encouraged to audit the many classes available including the Neurobiology Course, which offers lectures on the theory and practice of advanced microscopy during the month of July. Support will include research supplies, travel, housing and meals at the Marine Biological Laboratory for the individual fellow.

ELIGIBILITY: Applicants at any stage in their academic career are eligible. Priority is given to applicants with an experimental need to use high-end state of the art imaging systems. Prior research experience at the MBL, including previous Grass Fellowships, is neither required nor disqualifying. IRS regulations require that international Fellows (i.e., not US citizens or resident aliens) hold a J-1 visa for the duration of the fellowship. Holders of H1-B visa cannot be accepted. The Grass Foundation values diversity in all of its programs.

DURATION: The duration of the program is 2-4 weeks during July of 2012. Fellows are expected to be in residence at the MBL during the entire time.

APPLICATION: Application forms and instructions for the 2012 program are available on The Grass Foundation website.

DEADLINE: Applications for July 2012 must be received by 20 February 2012. Applicants must ensure that the completed application and letters of recommendation are submitted by the deadline. Decisions will be announced by April 2012.

SELECTION: The Selection Committee, consisting of the Trustees of The Grass Foundation, will judge the scientific merit of the proposed research and its suitability for this program. The Foundation anticipates accepting up to 3 Fellows in Advanced Imaging in this inaugural year.

Innovations for Health: Solutions that Cross Borders

Ashoka Changemakers and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Pioneer Portfolio are seeking health care solutions from anywhere in the world that have the potential to be applied in other countries to improve health and health care.

Submit your solution, or nominate a project for this competition, before February 13, 2012, and help improve health care through an innovation that can cross borders.

Early Entry Prize: Entries received by December 12, 2011, 5 p.m. EST will be eligible to win US $500 and one of two private consulting sessions with industry experts.

Winners' Prizes: Three winners selected by a panel of expert judges will each receive a cash prize of US $10,000.

Countries throughout the world are seeking to improve the health of their citizens and make quality health care accessible and affordable. Despite their differences, nations are facing a surprisingly similar set of health care challenges, such as fragmented health care ecosystems, high costs, inconsistent quality of care, inefficient systems, and barriers to access and capacity needs.

In response to these challenges, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Pioneer Portfolio is partnering with Ashoka Changemakers to launch the competition, Innovations for Health: Solutions that Cross Borders.

We are looking for cutting-edge health care solutions from anywhere in the world that have the potential to be applied in other countries to improve health and health care.

In today’s increasingly interconnected world, we have the vital opportunity to learn from innovations developed beyond our borders. Examples of breakthrough innovations we’d like to see include (but are not limited to) those that:

Deploy the full spectrum of health care workers and providers, thereby improving the capacity, reach, and quality of health care services;

Use simple, low-cost interventions to improve medical, preventive, and dental care;

Help people find and access the health information, services, and providers they need through new tools and processes;

Provide high quality and personalized care in non-traditional settings; and

Find new ways to engage patients in their care, particularly patients with chronic illnesses.

We are looking for initiatives that have demonstrated impact, and we are particularly interested in those that have the potential to help vulnerable and underserved populations in other countries that are experiencing similar barriers to health. It’s time to learn from one another and to build bridges toward a more accessible, cost-effective, consumer-engaged, and outcome-driven system of health services.

In addition, following the Changemakers competition, selected entries may be invited to submit proposals to RWJF's Pioneer Portfolio for future funding consideration. The Foundation will be looking for innovations that show potential to produce significant improvement in health and health care in the United States. Only organizations in the United States and its territories are eligible for this post-competition funding opportunity.

Innovate. Collaborate. Be a Changemaker. Submit or nominate a solution today.