The mission of SPARTAN is to advance research and education to improve the care of patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA). We feel strongly that laying the foundation for the next generation of researchers and leaders in SpA is an important portal to achieve this mission. We acknowledge that there is a “leaky pipeline” for researchers in basic, translational, and clinical research focused on SpA. Further, there are few SpA centers in North America and numerous potentially interested fellows and early career faculty outside of these centers who would benefit from working with SpA experts in research. Thus, the goal of this award is to support a mentored fellowship for a fellow (clinical or postdoctoral) or early-stage investigator interested in SpA research, to work with a SpA expert.
Applicant eligibility
- Applicants do not need to be SPARTAN members at the time of application, although their application to become a SPARTAN member is expected with receipt of award.
- Applicants must reside in North America.
- Early career investigator (ECI) applicants must be within first 5 years of starting their first faculty research position and appointed at the level of Assistant Professor or Instructor (not higher) at the start of the funding period.
- Fellow applicants may be PhDs (i.e., postdoctoral fellows), or clinician MDs/DOs currently in training at the level of a rheumatology fellowship or SpA subspecialty fellowship.
- Mentors must have a strong track record in SpA research as evidenced by publications and must be a SPARTAN member (Full or Associate).
Funding
- The award period is 12 months.
- A maximum of $100,000 in total costs will be allocated for the funding period.
- We will support one award per year.
- The funding period should start between January 1, 2025, and September 30, 2025.
Use of funds
Funds can be used for activities directly linked to the proposal, including:
- Mentee’s salary, travel, housing, research supplies, research support, conference attendance, publication costs. The allocation must be specified in the budget and justification.
- Funds may not cover mentor salary.
- If travel is proposed and the duration of proposed travel is such that the mentee’s salary will be covered by the mentor’s institution, then the fellow must be paid at a level commensurate with a fellow at the host’s institution.
Indirect costs are allowed up to 8%.
Adjudication
Applications will be reviewed by the SPARTAN Research Committee and ad hoc reviewers with relevant research expertise, with final approval by the SPARTAN Board of Directors. Applicants will be notified of the decisions by December 20, 2024.
Requirements of funding
- Grant recipients must acknowledge SPARTAN in any presentations or publications related to the project.
- The SPARTAN logo must be displayed in oral or poster presentations related to the funded project.
- A post-activity report must be submitted via email to SPARTAN within 6 months after the end of the funding period.
- Study results/progress are expected to be presented at a SPARTAN annual meeting.
- Written progress reports provided to SPARTAN are mandatory for continued eligibility in future SPARTAN grant competitions.
No-cost extensions
Requests for no-cost extensions should be submitted via email to the SPARTAN Executive Director, accompanied by a progress report. Requests will be considered at the discretion of the SPARTAN Board of Directors in consultation with the Research Committee.
Submission deadline has closed
