Neurosurgery Grants

National Neurotrauma Symposium Student Competition

There is a Call for Abstracts for the NNS Symposium with a submission deadline of April 15, 2011.

The NNS Abstract Committee will determine the qualified abstracts to be presented as posters during the Abstract Poster and Open Communications sessions. All accepted abstracts will be published online in the Journal of Neurotrauma immediately prior to the conference.

The Abstract Committee reviews and grades each abstract submission for quality, ethical guidelines and scientific merit. A blind grading process is used to ensure anonymity and equality.

Notifications of acceptance will be emailed to submitting authors by May 1, 2011.

The sixteen highest-scoring student abstracts will be selected as Student Competition Finalists.
The Finalists' posters will be displayed in a featured location for the entire symposium. They will also present their posters to the Abstract Judges for final scoring during Poster Session A on July 11th.

All poster finalists will receive a certificate and be recognized onstage at the Awards Ceremony Dinner. The top five (5) highest scoring poster finalists will also be recognized during the Awards Ceremony and will receive a crystal trophy, scientific textbooks and a monetary prize of $500 each from the National Neurotrauma Symposium

After the Student Competition Finalists are determined, the oral presentations are selected from the remaining abstract pool (Students and Non-Students) for the Open Communications Sessions. Please note if you are selected for an oral presentation, you will be assigned to an Open Communications Session and NOT a Poster Session.

Once the Student Finalists and Open Communications presenters have been selected, the remaining accepted abtracts will be assigned a final poster number and time slot to present during one of the four Poster Sessions during the symposium.

National Neurotrauma Society
8032 SW 45 Lane
Gainesville FL 32608 USA

TEL: (352) 213-8656
FAX: (305) 704-3814

National Neurotrauma Symposium Student Travel Grants

NNS is pleased to offer a limited number of travel grants for postdoctoral fellows and graduate students presenting their exciting results. Grant awards are given based on financial need and merit.

Funding provided by an NIH grant allows for up to $10,000 in travel grants.

The deadline for Travel Grant applications is April 15, 2011.

National Neurotrauma Society
8032 SW 45 Lane
Gainesville FL 32608 USA

TEL: (352) 213-8656
FAX: (305) 704-3814

American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons Section on Tumors/BrainLAB International Research Fellowship

The AANS/CNS Section on Tumors is pleased to announce the establishment of a new international research fellowship program called Section on Tumors /BrainLAB International Research Fellowship.

This name recognizes the partnering of the Tumor Section with BrainLAB AG, who has generously provided the funding for this new fellowship program.

Purpose of Fellowship: To provide a program for neurosurgeons from outside the United States or Canada to perform clinical, translational or basic research in the field of neurosurgical oncology in a clinical and/or laboratory setting within the United States.

Eligibility: The fellowship is open to foreign neurosurgeons or graduating residents from outside the United States or Canada.

Stipend: $50,000 salary support & travel expenses for a period of one year

Important Dates:

* Annual application submission is November 17th
* The fellowship will be awarded on January 15th
* Commencement of the fellowship is July 1 of each year.

Application: The application includes a formal proposal (not to exceed 5 pages) that outlines the aims of the project, the background/rationale for the work, any preliminary results or supporting data for the project, and a detailed study design. The applicant must also submit a personal biographical sketch, a description of future academic plans, and a statement of why studying in the U.S.A. will be important for the completion of the work.

The Sponsoring Investigator of the accepting laboratory/program will be required to submit a letter in support of the applicant, verifying the investigator’s willingness to mentor the applicant and provide necessary space and supplies for the applicant during the project/study period. Two letters of recommendation are also required. Sponsor must be a member of the AANS/CNS Tumor Section.

Host institutions: The Tumor Section has established a list of investigators in the U.S.A. who are interested in sponsoring a foreign neurosurgeon:

Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Cleveland Clinic/Brain Tumor Institute-Center for Translational Therapeutics
Johns Hopkins
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Ohio State University
Penn State University
Stanford University Medical Center
UCLA Medical Center, David Gaffen School of Medicine
UCLA School of Medicine
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Chicago
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation
University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
University of Toronto

Review Process: Fellows will be chosen through a competitive application process open to all foreign neurosurgeons or graduating residents from outside the United States or Canada. A review committee, consisting of the chairman of the AANS/CNS Tumor Section and five others appointed by the chairman, will examine all submissions. Applications will be judged based on the novelty and scientific merit of the proposed study, the credentials of the applicant, and the support provided by the accepting program/laboratory.

Investigative Categories: Although the focus must be on neurosurgical oncology, all categories of investigative studies will be considered eligible for this fellowship, including (but not limited to) basic science, epidemiology, anatomic studies, preclinical or translational studies, and clinical trials. Areas of study may be within any subspecialty of neurosurgical oncology, including (but not limited to) primary brain tumors, metastatic brain tumors, spine and spinal cord tumors, peripheral nerve tumors, and skull base tumors. Preference will be given to proposals undertaking hypothesis-driven research.

Awarded Fellows: The winning fellow will be required to submit a written Mid-Year Progress Report and, at the completion of the project, a written Summary Report describing the results of the study. The applicant may also present an oral summary of the project at the AANS or CNS Annual Meeting upon completion of the fellowship.

It is hoped that this fellowship will become a source of education and collaboration between centers in the US and foreign countries. The Section on Tumors thanks all those who have worked so hard to make this fellowship possible. The Section is particularly grateful to BrainLAB AG who have provide the financial support for this program through an educational grant.

For more information please contact the Development Department of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) at 847-378-0500 or jaq@aans.org.

Society for Neuro-Oncology International Outreach Research Fellowship

Supported by the American Brain Tumor Association and EMD Serono

Purpose
With generous support from the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) and EMD Serono, the Society for Neuro-Oncology has established a $50,000 International Outreach Research Fellowship. The purpose of this one-year fellowship is to provide a program for professionals from outside North America to perform clinical, translational or basic research in the area of pediatric or adult neuro-oncology in a clinical and/or laboratory setting in the United States or Canada. One fellowship award was made in 2009, and SNO is now accepting applications for the 2010 Fellowship.

Eligibility
The fellowship is open to post graduate medical professionals working in the following areas: neurosurgery, neurology, radiation oncology, medical oncology, pathology, radiology, neuropsychology, allied health or basic science at the post-doctoral level. The applicant must be living outside of North America when the application is submitted and must not be a citizen of the United States or Canada. The applicant must be from an emerging or developing nation as classified by the International Monetary Fund.

Investigative Categories
All categories of investigative studies will be considered eligible for this fellowship, including (but not limited to) basic science, epidemiology, anatomic studies, preclinical or translational studies, and clinical trials. Areas of study may be within any subspecialty of neuro-oncology, including (but not limited to) primary brain tumors, metastatic brain tumors, spine and spinal cord tumors, peripheral nerve tumors, and skull base tumors. The awarded Fellow will not provide any direct patient care, and contact with patients will be limited to an observational basis only.

Award
SNO will provide the host institution with $50,000 in salary support and travel expenses for a one-year period. Institutional overhead and indirect costs are not provided with the award.

Host Institutions
The Society for Neuro-Oncology has established a list of host institutions in North America who are interested in hosting the SNO International Outreach Research Fellow. This list is posted on the SNO website.

Application Process and Review
The application process consists of the following elements:

1. Fellowship Application & Biographical Data
The application includes a formal proposal that outlines the aims of the project, the background/rationale for the work, any preliminary results or supporting data for the project, and a detailed study design. The applicant must also submit a personal biographical sketch, a description of future academic plans, and a statement of why studying in North America will be important for the completion of the work.

2. Letters from Home Institutions

* Letter of reference from your current department chair (or institutional supervisor) outlining what skills are lacking in the area, and how the knowledge gained from the Fellowship will make a positive impact in the department and the region upon your return home.
* Letter of reference from a mentor or independent professional who is familiar with your work in the field of neuro-oncology.

3. Host Letter of Support
The applicant must also include a letter of support from one of the participating host institutions.

4. Review Process
A SNO review committee will examine all submissions. The fellowship will be awarded based on the novelty and scientific merit of the proposed study and the credentials of the applicant.

Awarded Fellows
At the completion of the project, the winning fellow will be required to submit a written Summary Report describing the results of the study. The applicant may also present an oral summary of the project at the Society for Neuro-Oncology Annual Meeting.

Important Dates
Call for Applications: June 23, 2010
Application Deadline: October 18, 2010
Application Awarded: December 1, 2010
Fellowship Commencement: July 1, 2011

Society for Neuro-Oncology
4617 Birch Street
Bellaire, TX 77401-5509

Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation Grants, Awards and Fellowships

As a premier funder of neurosurgical studies, the Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF) of the American Association of Neurosurgeons (ANS) focuses on providing fellowship funding in basic neuroscience and neurosurgical programs in North America.

The NREF strongly encourages research projects from all fields of neurosurgery. The more research that is conducted, the better chance we have to SAVE LIVES in the future.

The NREF sponsors two neurosurgical research grant programs annually:

* Research Fellowship – Open to residents only, the Research Fellowship is offered as a one-year research project grant of $40,000.

* Young Clinician Investigator Award – Designed to support young neurosurgeons pursuing careers as clinician investigators, the Young Clinician Investigator Award is open to junior faculty for a one-year grant of $40,000.

The NREF endorses the submission of applications for both patient-orientated clinical research and basic science research. Applications from all neurosurgical areas of focused practice are encouraged. Application submission deadline for 2011 research opportunities is October 31, 2010.

These focus areas include...

* Head trauma and brain injury
* Tumors
* Spine-related conditions mechanics, diseases, tumors, injury, repair techniques, etc.
* Cerebrovascular disease
* Pain management
* Stroke

For additional information on the NREF research grant programs, contact the Development department at (847) 378-0500 or nref@aans.org .

American Association of Neurological Surgeons
5550 Meadowbrook Drive
Rolling Meadows, IL
60008-3852

P 847.378.0500 or 888.566.AANS (2267)
F 847.378.0600

American College of Surgeons/Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons Faculty Career Development Award

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF) of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) are offering a two-year Faculty Career Development Award to neurological surgeons.

The award is to support the establishment of a new and independent research program in an area of neurological surgery, co-sponsored by the ACS and the NREF. The award is $40,000 per year for each of two years and is available to members or candidate members of both the ACS and the AANS. Applicants must have received full-time faculty appointment at a US or Canadian accredited medical school. Application deadline is November 15, 2010.

American Association of Neurological Surgeons
5550 Meadowbrook Drive
Rolling Meadows, IL - 60008-3852

P 847.378.0500 or 888.566.AANS (2267)
F 847.378.0600

William P. Van Wagenen Fellowship

The William P. Van Wagenen Fellowship was established by the estate of Dr. Van Wagenen, who was one of the founders and the first President of the Harvey Cushing Society, now the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.

Following his neurosurgical residency with Harvey Cushing, Dr. Van Wagenen traveled and studied in Europe, broadening his knowledge of neurological surgery and the related basic sciences. This was done at the recommendation of Dr. Cushing, much as Cushing had done, following the example of Sir William Osler.

In considering what contribution of a permanent nature he might make to neurosurgery, Dr. Van Wagenen chose to provide support to a post neurosurgical resident for foreign travel for scientific enrichment, prior to beginning an academic career in neurological surgery. The Van Wagenen Fellowship was designed to give freedom in scientific development without the restrictive limitations usually imposed by many research grants and fellowships.

Awarded annually, this prestigious Fellowship provides a $120,000 stipend for living and travel expenses to a foreign country for a period of twelve months. A family travel and living allowance of $6,000 is available if spouse and/or children are accompanying the Fellow. In addition, $15,000 of research support is available to the University, hospital or laboratory, which has agreed to sponsor the Van Wagenen Fellow.

For more information on the Van Wagenen Fellowship, please contact the Development Coordinator at 847.378.0500 or info@aans.org.

Please submit the completed application by October 1, 2010 to:

Van Wagenen Selection Committee
American Association of Neurological Surgeons
5550 Meadowbrook Drive
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008-3852

Spine Clinical Trial Proposal and Fellowship Award

Deadline for 2011 Clinical Trials: January 1, 2011

Spine Clinical Trial Proposal - $500
Spine Clinical Fellowship Award - $50,000

The AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves is pleased to announce the creation of a clinical trials fellowship award to promote clinical trials in spine. Neurosurgical residents/ fellows/ junior faculty are eligible to submit proposals ($500). Only junior faculty are eligible for the Fellowship Award ($50,000). The objective of this Fellowship is to foster the spirit of team-building necessary for executing multi-center studies, which are critically needed in neurosurgery in general, and spinal surgery in particular.

The objective of this award is to create an infrastructure necessary for executing well-designed multi-center studies, to promote the advancement of evidence-based neurosurgical practices, with an emphasis on spine.

Please send all proposals and questions to Zoher Ghogawala, MD by email at zoher.ghogawala@yale.edu.

American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons Research Grants

Deadline for 2011 Research Submissions: December 1, 2010

Apfelbaum Award spine $15,000
Kline Award peripheral nerve $15,000
Larson Award spine or peripheral nerve $30,000

The AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves has three Research Grants. Depending upon the quality of the award submissions, there may be one award in each category annually.

These awards are intended for primary investigators who are neurosurgeons or neurosurgery residents with proposed research requiring national level funding, to support the preparation of grant proposals and external consultations and to assist in the development of the proposal, planning meetings, and the collection of pilot data.

The application should include:
Application checklist
Cover sheet 
Proposal
Name of award you are applying for
Specific aims and summary of proposed study
Background and literature review
Methods and plan for data analysis, power calculation
Implications of research
Budget: must fit within limits of award funding (a)
Budget justification
NIH biosketch for the principal investigator
Mentor(s)
The proposal is limited to 10 double-spaced pages, not including the budget, budget justification, references, and mentor list.

Each page should have the applicant name, name of the award, running title, and page number.

Applications with biostatistical mentorship or assistance will be given preferential ranking. Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of relevance, innovation, methodology, and feasibility.

Salary support and institutional direct costs are not allowed as part of these awards.

Recipients of the research grants are required to provide a 6 month progress report and an oral presentation at the Section meeting 1 year after the receipt of the grant.

Attendance at the Section meeting to receive the grant is also strongly suggested.

For further information and submission of forms, please contact: Marjorie Wang, MD MPH, Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53226, Phone: (414) 805-5400 (research), Fax (414) 955-0115 or via email at mwang@mcw.edu

American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves Research & Fellowship Awards

Deadline for 2011 Fellowship Submissions: December 1, 2010

Name Awarded For Amount
Cahill Fellowship spine or peripheral nerve $30,000
Cloward Fellowship spine or peripheral nerve $30,000
Crockard International Fellowship spine $5,000
Sonntag International Fellowship spine $5,000

The AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves has four Fellowships.

The Cahill and Cloward Fellowships provide supplemental funding for a US- or Canadian-trained resident to obtain advanced education and do research in disorders of the spine or peripheral nerves in the form of fellowship training away from the parent institution.

The Crockard and Sonntag International Fellowships provide supplemental funding for a neurosurgical resident or neurosurgeon from outside the US or Canada to obtain advanced education and research in disorders of the spine in the form of fellowship experience in the US or Canada.

Applicants must provide:

1. Application checklist
2. Cover sheet
3. Description of the proposed fellowship with education and/or research goals
4. Letter of support from the designated mentor and program
5. Letter of support from the training program director, if applicable
6. Current CV
7. Applicants for the Cahill and Cloward Fellowships must also be residents in training or ABNS eligible fellows

Attendance at the Section meeting to receive the grant is also strongly suggested.

For further information and submission of forms, please contact: Marjorie Wang, MD MPH, Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53226, Phone: (414) 805-5400 (research), Fax (414) 955-0115 or via email at mwang@mcw.edu