Liver Grants

Clinical and Translational Research Award in Liver Diseases

Aplication Deadline: February 13, 2009

DESCRIPTION
The purpose of this award is to foster career development for individuals performing clinical research
and/or translational research in a liver-related area and who have shown commitment to excellence
at an early stage of their research study.
OBJECTIVE
To ensure that a significant portion of young investigators’ time is protected for research, the overall
objective is to enable young investigators to develop independent and productive research careers in
liver disease.
ELIGIBILITY
In order to be eligible for this award, the applicant must adhere to the following guidelines:
1. Project is clinical. “Clinical Research” is defined as studies related to patients or
disease processes having direct contact between the principal investigator and
humans. Clinical research includes epidemiology and clinical trials in liver disease.
2. Project is translational. “Translational Research” is defined as clinical research with
a substantial component of laboratory investigation using serum or tissue
specimens from patients with liver disease.
3. Applicant is currently in transition to becoming a junior faculty member, or has
recently been appointed as a junior faculty member, with an appointment at the
time of the award. The Candidate must be an advanced fellow or junior faculty
member in an accredited North American (US, Canada, or Mexico) academic
institution, within four years of starting his or her faculty appointment. At least 50
percent effort should be devoted to research activities.
4. Applicant does not hold other similar research awards. Applicants who hold other
research awards (NIH-K08, NIH-K23, Veterans Administration-Research Associate,
Clinical Investigator, AGA Research Scholar Award, Glaxo Institute of Digestive
Health Award, American Liver Foundation Liver Scholar Award, etc.) are not
eligible.
5. Applicant is a member and is sponsored by a member of AASLD.
AWARDS AND REQUIREMENTS
One award of $150,000 will be provided over two years ($75,000 per year). Money may be used for
salary support or for technical support/laboratory supplies for the investigator and no indirect costs
are provided. It is expected that additional funds are available to the candidate in order to carry out
the proposed research.
Awards cannot be transferred to another institution without prior written approval from AASLD.
Recipients must acknowledge the award in all publications resulting from research performed during
the tenure of this award. Abstracts, manuscripts, or other articles that reflect research funded by
this award must acknowledge support from AASLD, and copies must be forwarded to AASLD. In
addition, a scientific progress and financial report must be sent to AASLD at the end of each award
year and at the time when the award is complete.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Candidates will be evaluated based upon their background, their commitment to a research career,
the strength of their research project and the environment in which they will conduct this project.
REVIEW PROCESS
The AASLD Awards Committee will review the proposals and select a recipient of the award.
DEADLINE
Send the original and 14 three-hole punched copies of the completed application (including support
materials) by February 13, 2009 to: AASLD, 1001 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 400, Alexandria, VA
22314. Attention: Clinical and Translational Research Award Program

Elsevier Pilot Research Award

Grants are provided to investigators to support pilot research projects in gastroenterology- or hepatology-related areas.
At A Glance
Eligibility: New & Established Investigators
Amount/year: $25,000.00
Duration: 1 year
Deadline: Jan. 14
Start Date: July 1
# of Awards: Varies
DESCRIPTION

A research initiative grant of $25,000 for one year is offered to investigators to support pilot research projects in gastroenterology- or hepatology-related areas.
OBJECTIVE

To provide non-salary funds for new investigators to help them establish their research careers or to support pilot projects that represent new research directions for established investigators. The intent is to stimulate research in gastroenterology- or hepatology-related areas by permitting investigators to obtain new data that can ultimately provide the basis for subsequent grant applications of more substantial funding and duration.
ELIGIBILITY

* Investigators must possess an MD or PhD degree or equivalent and must hold faculty positions at accredited North American institutions.
* Candidates may not hold awards on a similar topic from other agencies.
* Applicants must be AGA Members (please visit www.gastro.org for membership information).
* Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.
* Applicants for this award may not simultaneously apply for the AGA/Miles and Shirley Fiterman Foundation Basic Research Award or the AGA June and Donald O Castell, MD, Esophageal Clinical Research Award.

AWARD OVERLAP

If an award recipient receives notification of another award with overlapping scientific objectives, prior to the start date of an AGA or FDHN award, the applicant must choose between the two awards.
REQUIREMENTS

* Funds may be used for salary support of research assistants, biostatistics support, laboratory personnel and technicians only, supplies and/or equipment. Indirect costs are not allowed.
* A letter of recommendation from the Division Chief or Department Chair is required for all applicants at the Instructor or Assistant Professor level.
* Established investigators who are applying for this award to support a new initiative should state explicitly how the initiative is different from their previous line of research.
* Upon notification of receipt of this award, awardee must provide approval from the appropriate committee at your institution for use of human subjects or animals. If approval is not necessary, awardee must provide explanation.
* A scientific progress and financial report must be submitted to the Foundation upon completion of the project.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Proposals will be selected on the basis of novelty, importance, feasibility, environment, commitment of the institution and overall likelihood that the project will lead to subsequent, more substantial grants.
REVIEW PROCESS

A selection committee consisting of established investigators will select the award recipient.
APPLICATION PROCESS

To download the award application and for more information about this, and other AGA Foundation awards, please visit www.fdhn.org. The application packet, which is to include the award application, letters of support or commitment and other documents as applicable, must be submitted as one PDF document. Letters of support or commitment sent individually will not be considered. Hard copies are not permitted.

The application deadline date for this award is midnight, January 14. If the deadline occurs on a weekend or holiday, the application packet must be received by midnight the following business day. Please email the application packet to awards@fdhn.org. Please direct questions about this award or the application submission process to the Research Awards Manager, by telephone at 301-222-4012 or via email at awards@fdhn.org.

Support of this program by the American Gastroenterological Association is gratefully acknowledged.

Graduate Student Award

Two awards are offered to provide a salary stipend for graduate students performing doctoral research related to the gastrointestinal tract, liver or pancreas.
At A Glance
Eligibility: Graduate Students
Amount/year: $20,000/year
Duration: 2 years
Deadline: Feb. 21
Start Date: July 1
# of Awards: 2
Description

Two awards of $20,000 a year for two years are offered to fund graduate students undertaking research in the biology and epidemiology of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver or pancreas. They must be working towards their PhD degree. The award includes $18,000 for stipend and $2,000 to be used towards fringe benefits such as medical insurance and travel to a national meeting.
Objective

To provide a salary stipend for graduate students performing doctoral research related to the gastrointestinal tract, liver or pancreas.
Eligibility

* Applicants should have completed at least one year and no more than three years of training towards the doctoral degree and have selected and confirmed the laboratory or department in which they will conduct doctoral research.
* Research is to be conducted at an accredited academic institution within North America and the research advisor must be a Member of the American Gastroenterological Association (please visit www.gastro.org for membership information).
* Applicants should be US citizens, permanent residents or overseas students who have a current visa to pursue education within North America.

Award Overlap

If an award recipient receives notification of another award with overlapping scientific objectives, prior to the start date of an AGA or FDHN award, the applicant must choose between the two awards.
Requirements

* Awards are made for salary support for the recipient. Indirect costs, excluding travel, are not allowed. Tuition costs are expected to be covered by the institution or host department and laboratory.
* Applicants must submit a one-page description of their long-term career plans and goals.
* Three letters of recommendation must accompany the application including one from the research advisor, one from the department head or director of graduate student research and a third individual familiar with the student’s academic credentials and research potential.
* Applicants must demonstrate how they will obtain additional knowledge through the proposed project and how that knowledge may be used in their future research.
* Upon notification of receipt of this award, awardees must provide approval from the appropriate committee at his/her institution for use of human subjects or animals. If approval is not necessary, awardee must provide explanation.
* At the end of the award, the recipient will be required to indicate how the funds were used, the accomplishments made during the project and how the additional training contributed to his/her research career development. A complete financial statement and scientific progress report are required annually and upon completion of the program.
* All publications arising from work funded by this program must acknowledge support from the AGA Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition.

Selection Criteria

Recipients will be selected based on scientific merit, credentials and long term potential of the candidate for a research career. Priority will be given to students aiming for long term careers in research in the biology and disease of the gastrointestinal tract, liver or pancreas.
Review Process

A selection committee comprised of members of the AGA Research Awards Panel will review the proposals and select the recipients in May.
Application Process

The application packet, to include the award application, letters of support or commitment, and other documents as applicable, must be submitted in PDF format. Letters of support and or commitment must be included in the original emailed submission of the application packet. Hard copy submission of award applications and letters is not permitted.

If the application deadline occurs on a weekend or holiday, the application packet must be received by midnight the following business day. Please email the application packet to awards@fdhn.org. Please direct questions about this award or the application submission process to the Research Awards Manager, by telephone at (301)222-4012 or email at awards@fdhn.org. For information about other AGA Foundation awards, please visit the web site at www.fdhn.org

2009 AASLD NP/PA Clinical Hepatology Fellowship Program

Application Deadline: February 13, 2009
Recipient Notification: April 2009
Fellowship Period: July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010

Application coming soon!

Award Description
The AASLD NP/PA Clinical Hepatology Fellowship Program provides $78,000 in salary and benefit support for certified and licensed Physician Assistants (PA) or Nurse Practitioners (NP) pursuing a full-year of training focused on clinical care in hepatology and is designed to:

Increase the number of mid-level practitioners in clinical hepatology.
Facilitate the transition (or shift in emphasis) into clinical hepatology for mid-level practitioners.
Increase access for liver disease patients to adequately trained clinicians.

Questions? Contact Denise Davis or Kristin Hutcherson via email at awards@aasld.org or by phone at 703-299-9766.

2009 AASLD/ALF Liver Scholar Award

Application Deadline: October 16, 2008
Recipient Notification: March 2009
Award Period: July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2012

Appplication coming soon!

The AASLD/ALF Liver Scholar Award is a three-year, basic science award of $75,000 per year that endeavors to encourage young investigators to pursue a career in liver-related research.

Overview
The goal of the Liver Scholar Award is to provide young scientists with support for their research to bridge the gap between completion of research training and attainment of status as an independent research scientist. The additional research experience provided by this award is intended to enable them to successfully compete for research grants from national sources, particularly the NIH. The long-term goal is to attract well-trained investigators, who hold MD, PhD or MD/PhD degrees, to a career in liver disease research. AASLD currently supports a total of five Liver Scholars.

Objective
These awards are for the purpose of developing the potential of outstanding, young scientists and encouraging research in liver physiology and disease. Therefore, individuals who already are well established in the field are not considered eligible for this award.

American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
1001 North Fairfax, Suite 400
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Phone: 703-299-9766
Fax: 703-299-9622
Email: aasld@aasld.org