Grants>Hepatology

Request for Proposals: 2013 ASPIRE Awards in Adult Vaccine Research

Mission

The mission of the 2013 ASPIRE Awards in Adult Vaccine Research is to advance medical knowledge to better understand the burden of pneumococcal disease in adults.

The burden of pneumococcal disease in the general adult population has been extensively studied; however, it is not well-defined in special populations, including subgroups with underlying disease comorbidities and/or those living in long-term community settings.

Pfizer invites investigators to apply for the 2013 ASPIRE Awards in Adult Vaccine Research through submission of innovative research proposals for evaluation of the epidemiology and burden of pneumococcal disease in adults with underlying disease comorbidities and/or those living in long-term community settings.

2013 Research Topic

Evaluating the Burden of Pneumococcal Disease in Adults in the United States

An applicant should have a strong research interest within the areas of focus and should consider the following components when developing their research proposals:

A. The burden of pneumococcal disease and serotype distribution in adults including but not limited to:

• Individuals with increased risk of pneumococcal disease including those with underlying comorbidities.

Comorbidities may include but are not limited to:

◦ Diabetes mellitus

◦ Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other chronic pulmonary disorder

◦ Oncologic disorders

◦ Chronic renal disease

◦ Hepatic disease

◦ Autoimmune disorders

• Those living in community settings (e.g., extended-care facilities, correctional institutions).

• Regional evaluation of pneumococcal resistance and serotype distribution.

• Carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the adult population.

B. Association of pneumococcal pneumonia with influenza or other respiratory viral illnesses

C. The following topics fall outside of the scope of the ASPIRE Adult Vaccine Research Program:

• General education and / or training.

• Support for ongoing clinical programs that are part of an organization’s routine operations.

• Proposals that evaluate populations outside of the United States or Puerto Rico.

Proposals whose primary objective is to financially quantify outcomes as it relates to a Pfizer product(s) are outside the scope of the program.

Research Expectations

Within the specified patient populations of interest, investigators are expected to:

• Generate data regarding the burden of pneumococcal disease in adults and/or evaluation of adult vaccination efforts.

• Be able to complete the research in 12 months.

• Present and/or publish the results of the study.

Available Awards

Pfizer is funding research awards up to a maximum of $100,000 USD* each (including direct costs, institutional overhead costs, and indirect costs) for one year to conduct research generating data that will lead to a better understanding of burden of pneumococcal disease in adults.

*Please note that study budgets will be evaluated separately to ensure the requested funding is commensurate with the work proposed.

Deadline for Application

Applications must be received by 11:59pm EST on July 2, 2013. 

Call for Applications: European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition-North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Travel Award

The ESPGHAN-NASPGHAN Travel Award

Deadline for applications: May 30, 2013

Purpose

The Travel Award is intended to support the expenses of up to $5000 (or EU5000) of a Young Investigator or Trainee who wishes to travel and visit a unit in the US (for European applicants) or Europe (for US applicants) either for the purposes of learning a new technique, carry out a short project or of observing a different health system at work. Provisional approval for the visit/project should be obtained prior to the application from the applicant’s own department and the department to be visited.

The Travel Award will not be available to attend meetings or conferences and will be awarded on alternative years to a US or European applicant. Funding will be awarded alternately from ESPGHAN or NASPGHAN as appropriate. ESPGHAN will fund the first award in 2012. This year NASPGHAN will fund the award.

Eligibility

Applications may be made by any Investigator or Member, but priority will be given to a Young Investigator or Trainee member who has completed their training in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology or Nutrition within the last 10 years. The Application form should be sent in with a letter of support from the relevant Heads of Departments, a CV, a brief description of the planned project or visit and the likely benefit to the applicant and/or their host institution or patient population.

The award winner will be required to submit a written report (including an accounting of how the award monies were spent) of their visit to both Councils within six months of the completion of their visit and present the outcome at the annual meetings of their respective Society.

Funding

Funding will be awarded alternately from ESPGHAN or NASPGHAN as appropriate and will be paid directly to the successful applicant. If the applicant is unable to take part in the visit/exchange for any reason, the sum in full must be returned to the awarding society and the head of the department of the successful applicant must guarantee that this happens. Additional funding will not be provided to supplement these visits.

Selection Process

The applications will be considered by the respective councils for each of their member applicants. The council members may make the decision themselves or appoint a selection committee with relevant experience. Members of the Selection Committee are not eligible to apply for the award. Members should not participate in the evaluation of an applicant if they work at the same institution as the applicant, or have worked with the applicant at the same institution in the recent past. Members should not participate in the evaluation of an applicant if there is any conflict of interest.

2013 Application Instructions

The applicant must the completed application by May 30, 2013. The application must include:

1. A completed application form

2. Applicant’s curriculum vitae (max. 3 pages).

3. Brief description of proposed project or visit and the likely benefit to the applicant and/or their host institution or patient population

4. Budgetary details on how the money will be used to finance the visit

5. Two letters of recommendation are requested: one from the host institution giving the necessary permission for the visit; and one from the unit to be visited which should include agreement for the visit and indicate what support will be provided to ensure the exchange will be successful. This latter letter should specify the time available for supervision, research opportunity (if relevant), space, equipment etc.

Applications should be sent to the NASPGHAN National Office – naspghan@naspghan.org and must be received no later than May 30, 2013.