Purpose
The mission of SPARTAN is to advance research and education to improve the care of patients with spondyloarthritis. We feel strongly that laying the foundation for the next generation of researchers and leaders in spondyloarthritis is an important portal to achieve this mission. With the aim of encouraging fellows to take up research projects under mentors with expertise in spondyloarthritis, SPARTAN will support up to 2 pilot projects. The goal is to support the early stages of a fellow-led research project to generate preliminary data that will support grant applications to funding agencies such as the NIH.
A total of $10,000 is allocated to cover each new grant in with a maximum of $5,000 per fellow and $5,000 per mentor. This will be a combined application by the fellow and mentor.
Eligibility
- Fellow applicants must be MDs/DOs currently in training at the level of internal medicine residency, rheumatology fellowship or SpA subspecialty fellowship or PhD postdoctoral fellows
- Mentors must have a strong track record in spondyloarthritis research as evidenced by publications and must be a SPARTAN member
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 4 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) and Research Approach
- Tables and Figures should be included within this section
- Brief budget justification (maximum 250 words)
- Timeline for completion of project milestones
Additional pages should include:
- References (maximum 2 pages)
- Mentor Biosketch (NIH format, maximum 5 pages)
- Mentor Letter of Support (maximum 1 page)
- Candidate Biosketch or CV (maximum 5 pages)
- 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)
- Institutional Letter of Support (from the director of fellowship, residency or doctoral program) stating the availability of time and support for the trainee to engage in the proposed research project
Use of Funds
The funds can be used for activities directly linked to the proposal including expendables, services or salary/stipend of trainee. 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.
Recipients must present their results at the annual SPARTAN meeting.
Reporting
A post activity report must be submitted via email to SPARTAN at completion of the grant period. Reports are mandatory for applicants’ continued participation in future SPARTAN projects and competitions. The progress report should contains milestones, any results, budget allocation and any abstract presentations and/or publications that have resulted from this effort. Additionally, we would like to understand how this funding has helped or will help advance the trainee’s career.
Mentored Fellowship Award Application
Submission deadline April 14, 2024
