Laser Medicine Grants

Dr. Horace Furumoto Innovations Professional Development Grant

Deadline: January 31, 2009

Introduction

The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery is very pleased to administer the annual Dr. Horace Furumoto Innovations Professional Development Grant. The annual Dr. Horace Furumoto Innovations Professional Development Grant was founded by Candela Corporation, Cynosure, and DEKA to memorialize the genius, leadership, and commitment of Dr. Horace Furumoto in the development of laser technology. These firms have joined together to create an endowment which annually may grant up to $10,000 to an individual(s) who displays the potential for leadership and innovation characterized by Dr. Furumoto.

The purpose of this grant is to foster future technology innovators and leaders, and to inspire their continued professional development through financial assistance. Additionally, the purpose is to continue the development of laser technology such that it promotes excellence in patient care by advancing biomedical applications of lasers worldwide. The Dr. Horace Furumoto Innovations grant recipient(s) will demonstrate the potential for leadership and technology innovation as described by the following:

Eligibility

Any individual is eligible to be nominated and/or apply for the Dr. Horace Furumoto Innovations Professional Development Grant. Non-clinical professionals are especially encouraged to apply for this grant, as this grant is targeted at fostering innovation in the development of lasers and related technologies. All nominators and/or applicants are required to complete and submit the Dr. Horace Furumoto Nomination/Application Form. Consistent with the purpose of the grant, individuals being nominated and/or applying for the grant must, as part of the nomination/application, describe in some detail their plans for continuing their professional education. The ASLMS Awards Committee is charged with annually selecting a grant recipient(s). ASLMS reserves the right not to select any of the nominees/applicants as recipients, or to select more than one grant recipient in any given year based upon the recommendations of the ASLMS Awards Committee.

Terms of the Grant

The grant recipient is expected to enter into the professional development activity described in their nomination/application within twelve (12) months of the grant announcement. Expenditure of the grant may extend beyond the one year period but should not exceed three (3) years.

General Nomination/Application Instructions

Nominators and/or applicants must submit the grant form and all supporting materials electronically no later that January 31st, of the year for which they are nominating/applying for the grant. Each nomination/application requires two letters of support. Letters of support are also due by January 31st, and should be submitted electronically. The individual(s) who is nominating a candidate may author and submit a letter(s) of support for the candidate they nominate. Letters of support on official letterhead of the author’s organization are to be E-mailed, faxed, or mailed under separate cover to Barb Brown at the ASLMS Central Office, barb@aslms.org. The grant recipient will be officially announced at the ASLMS Annual Conference. Grant recipients will be notified in advance of the ASLMS Annual Conference and are requested to attend, if possible, to receive the grant.

Dr. Horace Furumoto Innovations

Professional Development Grant

Nomination/Application Instructions

SECTION I. Demographic Information

This section of the form requests information about the nominee/applicant and nominator. This information will be used to contact individuals if additional information is required, and/or to assure the ASLMS Awards Committee of the appropriateness of the nomination/application.

SECTION II. Letters of Support

Two letters of support are required for each nominee/applicant. In instances where an individual is being nominated, the nominator may write one of the letters of support for the candidate. Letters of support should come from individuals familiar with the nominee’s/applicant’s professional and/or academic work. Letters should discuss the individual’s leadership and technological innovation potential. Examples of past leadership and/or technology innovation should be cited. Letters of support must be submitted either by e-mail, fax, or mail on official letterhead of the author’s organization to the attention of Barb Brown of the ASLMS Central Office, barb@aslms.org.

SECTION III. Description of Nominee/Applicant Qualifications (Maximum of 2 pages)

This section of the form is to be used to describe to the ASLMS Awards Committee current and past examples of the nominee’s/applicant’s professional and academic work which demonstrate the individual’s leadership and or technological accomplishments to date and/or future potential. Examples may include but are not limited to:

Past academic and professional experiences which have prepared the candidate to successfully complete the professional development activities described in the professional development plan included as part of this nomination/application form.
Past innovative technological work as a researcher, employee, or practitioner.
Outstanding academic, leadership and/or innovation accomplishments.
Recognitions received from employers, peers, or professional organizations.
Authorship of manuscripts and/or publications which represent innovative ideas, and/or approaches to the application of laser and related technologies.
Leadership positions held in organizations dedicated to technological innovation.
SECTION IV. Nominee/Applicant Professional Development Plan (Maximum of 2 pages)

The purpose of the Dr. Horace Furumoto Innovations Professional Development Grant is to support the professional development of individuals assessed to have the potential for leadership in laser and related technology innovation. To that end, it is very important that nominees/applicants have a well developed professional development plan. Traditional and non-traditional professional development concepts are encouraged. While traditional academic continuing professional development activities are acceptable, innovative approaches to developing one’s professional preparedness are also encouraged, as they may represent evidence of the nominee’s/applicant’s potential for innovation. If the nominee/applicant intends to participate in a formal academic program, written evidence of the acceptance into a formal education program is required prior to the distribution of the grant. Similarly if the intent is to pursue a less traditional professional development activity, a commitment of the host organization/individual providing informal professional development will be required prior to the actual provision of the grant.

Professional development plans may take many forms including but not limited to:

Academic study at a University.
Mentorship(s) with an individual(s) working on technologic innovation.
Special research project(s) focused on technological innovation and which provide the nominee/applicant with a professional development experience.
Sabbatical leave for the purpose of dedicating time to increase the individual’s professional preparedness.
Participation in an internship either business and/or clinical which focuses on leadership and/or technological innovation.
Clinical and/or research preceptorship which focuses on technological innovation.
Fellowship program.

Section V. Nominee/Applicant Resume (Maximum of 2 Pages)

The nominee/applicant is required to provide a formal (condensed) resume in the space provided on the form. The purpose of the resume is to assist with determining if the candidate is properly prepared to participate in the professional development plan activities which they have proposed, and to assist the ASLMS Awards Committee with evaluating the individual’s past professional development.

No grant will be awarded to any person if the award would be contrary to any United States law, including but not limited to trade embargoes administered by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Questions related to the nomination/application form can be directed to:

Barb Brown barb@aslms.org
ASLMS Central Office
2100 Stewart Avenue, Suite 240
Wausau, WI 54401

Phone: (715) 845-9283
Fax: (715) 848-2493

Student and Non-Student Research Grant Deadline: January 15, 2009

INTRODUCTION

The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) supports research projects designed to foster the development and use of lasers and other related technologies in medical and surgical applications. ASLMS may award up to $350,000 to appropriate research initiatives each year. No individual research grant award will exceed $70,000 annually. While the best research projects will be given priority for funding, a concerted effort will be made to award a minimum of 50% of the research grant funds to non-dermatologic laser application research proposals. Two-year research grant proposals will be considered, with the second year of funding dependent upon satisfactory progress in the first year of the grant. Applicants applying for two year grant consideration are asked to include in their application, separate budgets and objectives for each of the two years of the project. Satisfactory progress will be determined based on the completion of the objectives identified for the first year of the project. Student grants are limited to one year.

ELIGIBILITY

Any individual or organization desiring to conduct research which fosters the development and/or use of lasers in medical or surgical applications is eligible to apply for an ASLMS research grant. Individuals who are applying for research grants can submit either as a student or non-student researcher. Students cannot serve as the primary investigator for non-student research proposals. Prior to being awarded a research grant, all non-ASLMS members will be required to apply for and be accepted into ASLMS membership. Non-members must submit an application as part of the grant application process.

A maximum of four student research grants may be awarded each year, and will be limited to $5,000. Student grants will be awarded for a one year period. Individuals applying for a student research grant should indicate the same on their online application. For ASLMS research applications purposes, a student is defined as all undergraduate students and/or an individual who is employed by an organization in a capacity or classification due primarily to their student status.

PURPOSE AND USE OF GRANT FUNDS

The primary purpose of the ASLMS Research Grant Program is to conduct research which can be applied to medical and surgical care of patients. Preference will be given to proposed research projects which have a direct implication for medical or surgical applications. Grant funds may be used for all costs associated with the research project. Equipment requests included as part of a proposal will be reviewed thoroughly to determine the necessity of the equipment for the proposed research. Proposals which include equipment requests that are superfluous to the proposed research project will reduce the likelihood that the project will be considered for funding. Indirect costs (IDC or F&A) cannot exceed 10% of the direct cost of the project.

APPLICATION

Individuals and/or organizations must submit the grant application and all supporting materials electronically no later than JANUARY 15, 2009. All research applications require a letter of support from an ASLMS member who is not directly involved in the research project. Letters of support are to be e-mailed under separate cover to barb@aslms.org on the letterhead of the supporting member’s organization. Grant recipients will be announced at the ASLMS Annual Conference in April 2009. Research grant funds will be available beginning July 1st of the grant application year. Payment of student grants will be issued to the student's supervising professor. Applicants must complete and submit all of the following materials electronically:

· The online Grant Application Form.

· A letter of support from an active ASLMS member, who is not directly involved in the research project, on the member’s official letterhead e-mailed to barb@aslms.org.

· A Membership Application (For non-ASLMS members).