Grants>Nutrition

Guthrie-Koch PKU Scholarship

In memory of Dr. Robert Guthrie, this higher education scholarship program was started after his death in June 1995 by National PKU News. Dr. Guthrie developed the newborn screening test for phenylketonuria (PKU) in 1961. He then worked tirelessly for more than thirty years to establish newborn screening programs in the United States and many other countries. Every family of a child with PKU born after the mid-1960's, in a country where newborn screening is done, has reaped the benefits: more than 20,000 children have been saved from devastating mental retardation caused by untreated PKU. Early screening and a special diet have allowed these young people to grow up normally and lead full, productive lives.

Dr. Richard Koch, a long-time colleague and friend of Dr. Guthrie, died on September 24, 2011. We decided to honor him by adding his name to the scholarship program. Dr. Koch dedicated his entire career of more than 50 years to identify, treat and help find a cure for PKU. His work was at the forefront of PKU treatment and research. Dr. Koch was the principal investigator on two large collaborative studies on PKU children and maternal PKU that forever changed how PKU was treated. He also lobbied tirelessly for newborn screening for PKU.

There is no question that young people with PKU who are bound for higher education programs owe this opportunity to early screening and diet treatment. Without PKU identification early in life, they could be living in institutions or group homes for the retarded instead of planning to attend college or technical school. It seemed fitting to establish a scholarship program in Dr. Guthrie's name and to add to that the name of our beloved Dr. Koch. The scholarship will benefit bright young people with PKU who are planning to obtain higher education degrees through college or technical school.

From its start in 1989, Dr. Guthrie was a member of the Board of Directors of National PKU News and Dr. Koch was a consultant to National PKU News for medical issues. National PKU News is a nonprofit organization devoted to bringing news and other information to families living with PKU. Beyond their single-minded dedication to preventing the mental retardation caused by PKU through screening and proper treatment, throughout their lives, Dr. Guthrie and Dr. Koch were devoted advocates for families living with it. National PKU News was started with the strong support and encouragement of both of these amazing men.

We hope families, and others whose lives have been touched by Dr. Guthrie's and Dr. Koch's remarkable careers will generously support The Guthrie-Koch PKU Scholarship.

Who is eligible:

Scholarships are open to any college-age young person with PKU who is on diet treatment and is not in graduate school (the scholarship is now open only to undergraduates, a change from previous years due to financial reasons). Residents of any country are eligible to apply, but the application must be in English or translated into readable English.

Applicants must be accepted to an accredited college or technical school before the scholarship is awarded, but may apply for the scholarship before acceptance is confirmed.

Who will review scholarship applications:

A scholarship committee will review all applications. The committee consists of well-known PKU professionals and Guthrie family members.

Scholarship awards:

Academic excellence and financial need of the applicant will be among factors considered, but financial need is NOT a prerequisite for being awarded a scholarship or merit award (it is only considered when the committee decides on the amount of the award).

We are looking for excellent students, no matter what their financial need.

Application deadline:

Applications will be available after July 1 each year for that year's applications.

Completed applications must be postmarked by October 15 each year.

Call for Nominations: Stanley J. Dudrick Research Scholar Award

The Stanley J. Dudrick Research Scholar Award honors individuals who have made significant achievements in nutrition support research.

Eligibility

•A.S.P.E.N. members
•Mid-career investigators
•Demonstration of exceptional research productivity and the potential to continue to contribute to the field of nutrition therapy

Application Information 

•Application Deadline: October 15
•Submit all materials via email to paulab@aspen.nutr.org
•To nominate a colleague, A.S.P.E.N. members may submit a letter of recommendation to the Dudrick Selection Committee. A.S.P.E.N. staff will request further materials from the nominee.
•To nominate yourself, A.S.P.E.N. members must review and complete the official application.

The Award Includes 

•$5,000
•Recognition during the Rhoads Lecture and Awards Symposium at CNW
•The honor of planning and chairing A.S.P.E.N.’s Dudrick Symposium at the following year’s CNW
•Opportunity to submit proceedings of their planned Dudrick Symposium to the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 

Norman F. Gant/American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology Fellowship

The Norman F. Gant/American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) Fellowship, is named in honor of Norman F. Gant, M.D., a member of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and a former executive director of ABOG. The fellowship is designed to provide an exceptional learning and career development opportunity to obstetricians and gynecologists early in their careers.

The IOM brings together the most eminent researchers, policy experts, and clinicians from across the country to work together to provide nonpartisan, scientific, and evidence-based advice to national, state, and local policymakers; academic leaders; health care administrators; and the public. Select early career faculty and future leaders in Obstetrics and Gynecology will find their work at the IOM to be an exceptional learning experience.

Each Fellowship will be awarded for a two-year period. During this time, Fellows are expected to continue their work at their main academic posts, while being assigned to one of the following IOM boards:

Health Sciences Policy
Health Care Services
Food and Nutrition
Health of Select Populations
Global Health
Population Health and Public Health Practice
Children, Youth, and Families

The Fellowship requires a 10-to-20 percent commitment of time for two years, and includes attendance at a one-week orientation to health policy, the Fall IOM Annual Meeting, and the meetings of the assigned board. Additionally, Fellows will participate actively in the work of an appropriate expert study committee or roundtable, including contributing to its reports or other products.

This experience will introduce Fellows to a variety of experts and perspectives, including legislators, government officials, industry leaders, executives of voluntary health organizations, scientists, and other health professionals.

Each Fellow will be assigned to an IOM member who will serve as a senior mentor during the two years of the Fellowship.

A flexible research stipend of $25,000 will be awarded to each Fellow. The stipend will be administered through the appropriate department in the Fellow’s home institution. Stipends are not intended for use as salary offsets.

Eligibility Criteria

Nominees for the IOM Fellowship must meet the following requirements:

Nomination by a member of the Institute of Medicine or the American Gynecological and Obstetrical Society or a Director of the ABOG

Diplomate or Active Candidate for certification by ABOG

Non-tenured member of an academic faculty

Able to dedicate 10 percent to 20 percent of time to the Fellowship for two years

Within the first five years of an initial faculty appointment

Sponsorship by academic department head

Endorsement by the Dean

U.S. citizen or permanent residency status at the time of the nomination

The Institute of Medicine especially welcomes under-represented minority candidates.

Selection Criteria

Professional accomplishments including research and publications

Potential for leadership in health policy

Quality of letters of recommendations

Expertise in an area of relevance to the Institute of Medicine

Application Packet

Nomination letter from a member of the Institute of Medicine or the American Gynecological and Obstetrical Society or a Director of the ABOG

Letters of Recommendation and endorsement from:

Department Chair

Academic Dean

An up-to-date curriculum vita

A brief one page bio

All materials should be sent to Marie Michnich at mmichnich@nas.edu or to:

Marie Michnich
IOM/HPEPF
Keck WS 702
500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001

Application packet due: June 2013