In line with SPARTAN’s vision to accelerate research in the field of Spondyloarthritis and to improve the care of patients with axial spondyloarthritis, this Early Career Investigator Award supports early career investigators (eligibility defined below) who are working in the field of axial spondyloarthritis.
The goal is to support the early stages of a research project to generate preliminary data that will support future grant applications to funding agencies such as the NIH and the Rheumatology Research Foundation. A maximum of 2 new grants will be supported (ideally, one basic/translational project and one clinical project) per year. A maximum of $25,000 will be allocated per project per year for two years (for a total of $50,000 per awardee). Year 2 of the funding is contingent upon demonstration of satisfactory progress, ideally with evidence of peer review grant application(s).
Eligibility
- Applicants must be SPARTAN members (Full, Associate, or Trainee)
- Within first 5 years of starting first faculty research position at the time of the start of the award; applicants may be trainees at the time of submission
- Appointed at the level of Assistant Professor or Clinical Instructor (not higher)
- With protected time for research at least 50%
- Track record of publication(s) in the area
- Not a previous recipient of a career development grant of award 3 years or longer, with direct funds exceeding $250,000
Deadlines
- Deadline for submission of proposals is April 14, 2024
- Funding decisions will be announced by May 31, 2024
- Funding starts August 1, 2024
Research proposal
Within a maximum of 6 pages, with a font size of no smaller than Arial 11 (main text) and Arial 9 (tables, legends), please include the following in your application:
- Abstract, Keywords, Specific Aims, Background (highlighting significance and innovation), Preliminary Results, and Research Approach
- Tables and figures should be included within this section
- Brief budget justification
- Timeline for completion of project milestones
Additional pages should include:
- References (maximum 2 pages)
- Biosketch (NIH format, maximum 5 pages)
- Letter of Support from the Institution (Section/Division Chief, Department Chair or other institutional official) stating availability of resources and space for the proposed project, as well as statement regarding amount of protected time and faculty appointment
- Other Support page: Current and pending financial support made available to a researcher in support of and/or related to all of their research endeavors
Use of funds
Funds can be used for activities directly linked to the proposal including expendables, services including analytic support, or salary/stipend of fellows, technicians, or research coordinators. The funds cannot be used for salary support of the PI. Institutional indirect costs are not supported.
Adjudication
The SPARTAN Research Committee will review applications. Applicants will be notified of decisions by May 31, 2024.
Requirements
- Grant recipients must acknowledge SPARTAN in any presentations or publications related to the project.
- In oral or poster presentations, the SPARTAN logo must be displayed.
- A post activity report must be submitted via email to SPARTAN within 6 months of completing each one-year grant period.
- The study results/progress should be presented at the annual SPARTAN meeting.
- Written progress reports provided to SPARTAN are mandatory for applicants’ continued participation in future SPARTAN grant competitions.
Early Career Investigator Award Application
Submission deadline April 14, 2024
