Organ and Tissue Donation Grants

American Society of Transplant Surgeons/Novartis Fellowship in Transplantation

ASTS and Novartis Pharmaceuticals continue their commitment to providing qualified surgeons with additional clinical training in the field of solid organ transplantation. It is intended to support training with a comprehensive experience in the clinical aspects of transplant surgery, as well as involvement in related clinical, translational and/or laboratory research.

Amount

$42,500 per year for 2 years.

Funds support

Supports salary and benefits as well as direct research expenses.
No indirects will be paid.

Applicant Eligibility

Please review these eligibility requirements carefully to ensure that you apply for an appropriate award.

* Current clinical trainee in transplant surgery, or accepted as a trainee, in an ASTS approved transplant fellowship.
* Completed surgical residency and demonstrated a career commitment to the area of transplant surgery.
* Research and clinical experience must be sponsored by an ASTS Member.
* Applicant must reside in North America.
* Awardee may not concurrently receive any other financial support for the proposed research from ASTS, AST, ACS, SUS or other society granting similar support.

Submission Requirements

* Online Application Form
* Narrative: 3 page maximum plus 1 page of graphics permitted. State the reason for applying for the award, specific objectives for the duration of the award, and future plans and goals.
* Autobiography: 1 page maximum explaining your educational background, choice of career and interest in transplantation and research.
* Budget: 1 page maximum
* Department Chair Nomination Letter
* Member Sponsor Letter
* CV

Other Requirements

* The Awardee must attend the ASTS Awards Ceremony at ATC to formally accept the award.
* An abstract must be submitted for presentation at an ATC or ASTS Winter Symposium during the award period or within 6 months of award completion.
* A mid-report to the ASTS National Office must be submitted in the spring of the first year.

Other 1 award available annuallySubmission Deadline: January 13, 2009

American Society of Transplant Surgeons | 2461 South Clark St., Suite 640 | Arlington, VA 22202 | Phone: 703-414-7870 | Fax: 703-414-7874

American Society of Transplant Surgeons/Wyeth Mid-Level Faculty Research Award

ASTS and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals continue their commitment to the development of transplant research by providing qualified ASTS Members with research funding in the field of solid organ transplantation. It is designed to support on-going research so that independent funding can be obtained, or to fund a new avenue of research for an established investigator.

Amount

$50,000 per year for 2 years

Funds support

Supports direct research and educational costs.
No salary support for applicant.
No indirects will be paid.

Applicant Eligibility

Please review these eligibility requirements carefully to ensure that you apply for an appropriate award.

* ASTS Member
* Mid-level surgical faculty member with an appointment of full, associate, or assistant professor at an established UNOS approved transplant center in years 5-10 post-training, or
* Director or Associate Director of a UNOS approved transplant center in years 5-10 post-training.
* Applicant must reside in North America.
* Awardee may not concurrently receive any other financial support for research from the NIH or from the ASTS, AST, ACS, SUS or other society granting similar support for similar research.

Submission Requirements

* Online Application Form
* Narrative: 3 page maximum including references plus 1 page of graphics permitted. State the reason for applying for the award, specific objectives for the duration of the award, and future plans and goals.
* Autobiography: 1 page maximum explaining your educational background, choice of career and interest in transplantation and research.
* Budget: 1 page maximum
* Department Chair Nomination Letter
* Member Sponsor Letter
* CV

Other Requirements

* The Awardee must attend the ASTS Awards Ceremony at ATC to formally accept the award.
* An abstract must be submitted for presentation at an ATC or ASTS Winter Symposium during the award period or within 6 months of award completion.
* A mid-report to the ASTS National Office must be submitted in the spring of the first year.

Other 1 award available annually

Submission Deadline: January 13, 2009

American Society of Transplant Surgeons | 2461 South Clark St., Suite 640 | Arlington, VA 22202 | Phone: 703-414-7870 | Fax: 703-414-7874

American Society of Transplant Surgeons/Astellas Faculty Development Award

ASTS and Astellas continue their commitment to provide qualified ASTS Members with research funding in the field of organ transplantation. It is designed to support a junior faculty member in the development of transplant research so that further funding can be obtained.

Amount

$50,000 per year for 2 years

Funds support

Supports direct research and educational costs.
No salary support for applicant.
No indirects will be paid.

Eligibility

Please review these eligibility requirements carefully to ensure that you apply for an appropriate award.

* ASTS Member (Regular or Candidate Member)
* Junior surgical faculty member at a UNOS approved (or Canadian equivalent) transplant center in the first 5 years of faculty appointment.
* Completed a post-residency fellowship or post-doctoral fellowship at an ASTS approved fellowship training program or foreign equivalent.
* Applicant must reside in North America.
* Awardee may not concurrently receive any other financial support for proposed research from ASTS, AST, ACS, SUS or other society granting similar support.

Submission Requirements

* Online Application Form
* Narrative: 3 page maximum plus 1 page of graphics permitted. State the reason for applying for the award, specific objectives for the duration of the award, and future plans and goals.
* Autobiography: 1 page maximum explaining your educational background, choice of career and interest in transplantation and research.
* Budget: 1 page maximum
* Department Chair Nomination Letter
* Member Sponsor Letter
* CV

Other Requirements

* The Awardee must attend the ASTS Awards Ceremony at ATC to formally accept the award.
* An abstract must be submitted for presentation at an ATC or ASTS Winter Symposium during the award period or within 6 months of award completion.
* A mid-report to the ASTS National Office must be submitted in the spring of the first year.

Other 1 award available annually

Submission Deadline: January 13, 2009

American Society of Transplant Surgeons | 2461 South Clark St., Suite 640 | Arlington, VA 22202 | Phone: 703-414-7870 | Fax: 703-414-7874

ASN-AST John Merrill Grant in Transplantation

Next Application Deadline: Friday, February 6, 2009*
Sponsors

The American Society of Nephrology & The American Society of Transplantation
Purpose

The John Merrill Transplant Scholar Grant is designed to foster the independent careers of young investigators in biomedical research related to transplantation. Applicants must be within 7 years of initial faculty appointment.
Eligibility

Applicants must be an active member of the ASN and hold an MD or PhD or equivalent degree. At the time of submission the applicant's membership must be current and their dues paid. Appointment to full-time faculty must be confirmed in writing by the Department Chair, indicating the date of first full-time faculty appointment, and providing assurance that the department will provide needed resources for conducting independent research (laboratory and office space, salary support, and protected research time of at least 75%). It must be assured that the proposed project is independent of previous mentors. Additionally, applicants will be considered ineligible should they submit more than one type of ASN grant application during any particular grants cycle. ASN career development grants are not renewable and previous recipients are not eligible for a second grant.
Grant Amount

The award will provide $100,000 annually for two years, beginning July 1, and will cover salaries/supplies related to the candidate's research proposal. A maximum of 10% ($10,000) may be used to cover indirect costs at the candidate's sponsoring institution.
Previous or Current Funding Allowed

Applicants are allowed to have currently, or have had previously, extramural (NIH or Foundation) mentored career development award funding (e.g., NIH K08). However, total grant funding cannot exceed $140,000 in annual direct costs, not counting the ASN grant. Applicants cannot have a previous or current NIH RO1 or VA Merit Award.
Use of Grant Funds

Salary/Fringe: Up to $70,000 can be used for the PI's salary/fringe.

Supplies: Any or all of the funds can be used for research supplies or support salary of research assistant.

Equipment: Funds cannot be used to purchase equipment that costs more than $5,000, unless such purchase is clearly justified in the research plan and approved by the ASN.

Restrictions: Funds cannot be used for travel, or for clinical or administrative time.
Terms

A progress report is required for non-competitive renewal of the grant for the second year. A final report is also required at the end of the funding period. The award is for continuous support, and interruptions in the period of support will require prior written approval from the ASN. Progress reports should include the following: Summary of progress during tenure of the ASN award, publications during the tenure of the award, an updated listing of current and pending grant support from all sources, and plans for continuing the research project in the next year.

Research Scholars are required to devote at least 75% of their time to research. Awardees shall be known as ASN-AST John Merrill Grant Scholars of the American Society of Nephrology and shall acknowledge ASN's support in publications resulting from their proposed work.

A maximum of $70,000 may be applied to the investigator's salary, including fringe benefits.

The ASN-AST John Merrill Grant in Transplantation may be transferred from one institution to another only with the prior approval of the ASN. ASN must receive written assurance from the Department Head/Division Director of the new institution that the investigator at the time of or before the invitation will be permitted to devote at least 75% of his or her time to research, have a full-time faculty appointment, and that appropriate research facilities will be available.
Application

Applicants must submit the original and three paper copies of the ASN-AST John Merrill Grant in Transplantation (including letter from Department Chair or Division Director), and three letters of reference.

In addition, applicants must submit a single pdf file (on CD) including all portions of the application except the confidential letters of reference.

Please note the following in regards to the application:

* The research proposal text should be in size 12 font.
* The research proposal has a 10-page length limit including figures.
* You do not need to include a proposed budget with your application.

Evaluation Criteria

The Review Committee will consider the potential of the applicant and the proposed project for eventual funding by a NIH R01 grant or its equivalent. Assessment will include the qualifications of the applicant with respect to prior training, productivity, and independence, as well as the scientific merit of the proposed project. The institutional commitment to the development of the applicant as an independent investigator will also be assessed.
Contact

For more information about the ASN-AST John Merrill Grant in Transplantation, please contact Holly Osborne by email at hosborne@asn-online.org.

Grant applications should be mailed to:
Holly Osborne
American Society of Nephrology
1725 I Street, NW
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20006

Next Application Deadline: Friday, February 6, 2009*

*ASN must receive the application, including reference letters and CD with pdf file, by this date.

Sarnoff Fellowship Program — Research Training for Medical Students

Eligibility
The Sarnoff Fellowship Program offers medical students enrolled in accredited U.S. medical schools the opportunity to spend a year conducting intensive work in a biomedical research laboratory in the United States, other than the medical school in which they are enrolled.

Fellows are selected on the basis of a national competition. Sarnoff seeks individuals with demonstrated intellectual and academic achievement, as well as leadership ability. The Sarnoff Foundation funds up to 20 Fellows per year.

Fellows generally have completed their second or third year of medical school. Although applicants may have prior research experience, applications are also encouraged from students without extensive prior research experience. Applicants enrolled in an MD/PhD program will not be eligible for a Sarnoff Fellowship.

There are no citizenship requirements for application, but those who are not U.S. citizens must have and maintain an appropriate visa. The Foundation will not handle visa matters for applicants.

Stipend and Benefits
Fellowship awardees receive these benefits:

* $27,500 stipend for the 2008-09 Fellowship year
* Allowance up to $7,000 for travel to select a Preceptor and Fellowship laboratory, moving expenses, health insurance and computer equipment
* Financial support to attend the Sarnoff Annual Scientific meetings, American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, and NIH Clinical Investigator Student Trainee Forum
* Funds for travel to present a paper, based on Fellowship research, at two national conferences

Application Schedule and Information
Competitions are held annually. The application deadline for the 2009-10 Sarnoff Fellowship Program is January 7, 2009. Applications for the 2009-10 Sarnoff Fellowship Program will be available online in September 2008.

Each applicant must submit the following:

* One-page personal statement describing scholarly interests and career plans
* Three-page essay on the applicant's cardiovascular topic of interest
* Completed application form and signed statement of confidentiality
* Official medical school transcript
* Curriculum vitae
* Recommendation from the applicant's Sponsor
* Two additional recommendations
* Any other material that the applicant determines is appropriate to support the application

For more information contact:

Dana Boyd, Executive Director
Sarnoff Cardiovascular Research Foundation
731 Walker Road, Suite G-2
Great Falls, VA 22066

Phone: 703-759-7600
E-mail: dboyd@SarnoffFoundation.org

Fellowship Location
We strongly encourage students to spend the Fellowship year at an institution in the United States other than their medical school, but recognize that, for some, leaving their home institution could present a significant hardship. Requests for exceptions to this policy will be considered based on personal reasons and availability of suitable laboratories.

Selection of Preceptor
The Preceptor provides an appropriate research project and oversees the Fellow's research training. It is not necessary for the applicant to have developed a research project or to have identified potential Preceptors at the time of application.

The Fellow is assigned an Advisor from the Sarnoff Scientific Committee. The Advisor assists the Fellow in selecting a Preceptor who can direct a project in the area of the Fellow's interest, which must be broadly within the cardiovascular or cerebrovascular sciences.

Fellows are encouraged to visit several laboratories and to meet with several prospective Preceptors prior to selecting the Preceptor. The Scientific Committee Advisor approves the Fellow's choice of laboratory and takes an active role in monitoring the Fellow's progress during the research year. This includes a site visit to meet with the Fellow and the Preceptor once the research is underway.

Fellow Evaluation and Selection
The Sarnoff Foundation seeks individuals with demonstrated intellectual and academic achievement, as well as leadership potential. The Scientific Committee places major emphasis on:

* The applicant's interest in a career in research, as documented by a personal statement;
* The quality of the applicant's essay and the ability to discuss the research topic; and
* Likelihood of providing the applicant with an intensive, rewarding research experience.

Key Elements of Sarnoff Fellowship
The cornerstone of the Sarnoff Fellowship is the special interaction between the medical student and the laboratory Preceptor with scientific and mentoring expertise. This close relationship, developed during the course of the Fellowship, and continuing throughout the Fellow's career, is enhanced by additional interactions with the Sarnoff Scientific Committee and Sarnoff Alumni. These experiences cultivate a life-long appreciation and enthusiasm for cardiovascular investigation, leading many to choose a career in cardiovascular research. The Foundation's investment in the Sarnoff Fellow is life-long.

Expectations of Awardees
During the year in the laboratory, the Sarnoff Fellow will undertake his/her own research project and assume responsibility for it from inception to completion. The Fellow is expected, with guidance, to develop the hypothesis and specific aims of the project, to participate in the experimental design, to carry out appropriate experiments, to interpret the data with the help of his/her Preceptor, and to prepare an original manuscript for submission to an appropriate peer-reviewed journal. Each Fellow presents his/her results at the Sarnoff Foundation's Annual Scientific Meeting, as well as at appropriate national meetings.

Examples of Cardiovascular Research
The Sarnoff Cardiovascular Research Foundation, like the American Heart Association, takes a broad view of cardiovascular research. Examples include:

* Molecular and cellular investigations related to cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology, neural control of cardiovascular function, cell transport and metabolism, cellular electrophysiology and ion channels, and excitationcontraction coupling
* Molecular and cellular biology of cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle
* Regulation of cell growth, growth factors, cell cycle genes, programmed cell death, cell surface and nuclear receptors, gene transcription, and molecular signaling Vascular biology, lipoproteins and lipid metabolism, endothelial and smooth muscle cell biology, inflammation, cytokines, cell adhesion, regulation of extracellular matrix, and regulation of thrombosis and platelet function
* Angiogenesis
* Clinical investigations related to atherosclerosis and arterial injury, arrhythmias and conduction abnormalities, cardiac failure and myocardial preservation, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, stroke, and thrombosis
* Animal models of cardiovascular disease
* Cardiovascular imaging
* Molecular and human genetics
* Transplant biology
* Cardiovascular surgery
* Biomedical engineering