AAOGF and Burroughs Wellcome Fund Physician-Scientist Career Development Award to Promote Diversity
Deadline May 1, 2022
The American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Foundation (AAOGF) and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund are pleased to announce the solicitation of applications for a Physician-Scientist Career Development Award to Promote Diversity for an early-stage investigator from under-represented groups of color. This award is made possible with generous support from AAOGF and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. The focus of this award is to enhance the development of future physician-scientist leaders from underrepresented physicians in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology and promote diversity in the academic workforce. It is of utmost importance for the proposed career development program to lead to new perspectives, innovative research ideas, and ensure health equity. This award will be for a three-year period from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2025.
The proposed research should address important problems in obstetrics, gynecology, or women’s health. Basic, translational, or clinical trial research projects are encouraged. The award will be for up to $120,000 per year for three years, contingent on availability of funds. No indirect costs are allowed.
The successful candidate must agree to provide progress and financial reports annually and at the end of the period of the award. The candidate must agree to attend an annual research retreat sponsored by AAOGF during the period of the award and immediately following the conclusion of the award; and present at the American Gynecological and Obstetrical Society (AGOS) meeting. The successful candidate must also agree to respond to periodic requests for information regarding their career development.
Eligibility
Investigators who are at the rank of assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology or above, and belong to an underrepresented group of color may submit an application. This award is for early-stage investigators defined as investigators who have completed their residency and/or fellowship within the past 10 years and have not obtained substantial NIH research funding. Prior or current R01 grant recipients are ineligible for this award. Candidates who have had no more than 3 years of prior individual K-award funding (e.g., K08, K23 or K01) are eligible to apply, but candidates who currently hold BIRCWH, WRHR, RSDP or other institutional K12 awards are not eligible. The Foundation scholarship awards do not preclude applying for additional research funding from other sources (e.g., an NIH R03, R21 or equivalent small grants) the acceptance of which would not jeopardize continued funding or renewal of this award, as long as the minimum of 75% effort is protected for the approved Foundation research project. Such applications are encouraged and plans for pursuing such research funding should be addressed in the application. We also highly encourage our scholars to apply for Individual K or R01 grants (or equivalent) as PIs. Once the Individual K grant (or other career development award) or R01 is funded with the scholar serving as PI, the support from the Foundation scholarship training program will end, irrespective of the % effort allocated to the individual K or other career development award or R01 grant. If the applicant has questions regarding their eligibility, they should contact the AAOGF Scholars Committee Chair.
Assurance of adequate protected research time for the research project and a delineation of financial support provided by the applicant’s Department or institution will be important factors in considering applications.
Contact Information
Potential applicants should send the application materials electronically to Shelby Smiley at ssmiley@stringfellowgroup.net.
Deadline May 1, 2022
Inquiries regarding this RFP should be directed to Shelby Smiley, AAOGF Administrator.
Tele: (443) 640-1059 ext. 1253
Fax: (443) 640-1031
Email: ssmiley@stringfellowgroup.net
Required Application Materials
- A six-page proposal written in abbreviated NIH grant format (1 page of Specific Aims, a 1 page maximum statement of Background and Significance, 1 page of Preliminary Data and 2-3 pages of Experimental Design and Methods). The font type should be number 11 Arial.
- If human subjects research, submit a copy of the IRB approval letter. If your research proposal is currently pending IRB review, submit a letter documenting that the IRB review is pending. The award will require documentation of IRB approval prior to the activation.
- If vertebrate animal research, submit a copy of your IACUC approval letter. If your research proposal is currently pending IACUC review, submit a letter documenting that the IACUC review is pending. The award will require documentation of IACUC approval prior to the activation.
- A cover letter from the applicant which includes career development plan and how the grant will foster research capabilities of the candidate.
- Biosketch (NIH format) of the applicant, including funding record.
- A letter of support from the Department Chair. The Chair’s letter must include a clear statement of the protected time for research available to the applicant and detail any relevant mechanisms that will be in place to ensure protection. The letter must also include the basis for candidate’s eligibility for this award (race, ethnicity, etc.) as an under-represented investigator. For the purpose of this award under-represented is defined as someone whose racial or ethnic make-up includes the following: African American/Black, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Native American/Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islander or two or more races.
- Budget and justification, including a brief statement of need and other financial resources available to the applicant.
Deadline May 1, 2022
Funding period starts July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025.