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Overview
Eligibility
Application Materials
Evaluation and Selection
Annual and Final Progress Report
Deadline and Address

Overview

Jacob's Cure is pleased to announce a two-year Clinical Research Training Fellowship to support research into the cause, treatment, or cure of white matter or neurodegenerative disease. The fellowship is designed to support the development and training of new independent investigators.

The award will consist of a commitment of $49,500 per year for two years to support salary and/or research costs.

Eligibility
The fellowship is open to investigators interested in academic careers in research who can demonstrate their intent to conduct novel basic and clinical research in white matter disease while working in a mentored environment. Preference will be given to neurologists/clinicians (MD, DO, PhDs) who can demonstrate the support of a seasoned mentor and research institution. PhD candidates conducting clinically oriented research will also be considered. While clinical research questions are preferred, all proposals of extraordinary significance to the field of white matter disease research are sought and will be considered. Supplementation of this grant with other awards or by the sponsor institution is permissible. To be eligible to apply, candidates must work in a US Institution and must be a legal residents of the US (US citizenship is not required.)

Materials for Application
Please submit one copy of all of the following materials required for application for the Starker Fellowship for White Matter Disease Clinical Research:

• A letter of intent from the applicant to pursue a two-year program indicating the specific research focus, the proposed mentor and sponsor institution, and the applicant's future goals.
• A five-page research proposal including a brief statement of specific aims (1 page), background and significance (1 page), and research design and methodology (3 pages.) The research plan should be written by the applicant and should represent his/her original work. However, the applicant is expected and encouraged to develop this plan based on extensive discussion and the support of the proposed mentor. It is entirely appropriate for the proposed work to be highly related to the mentor's
• The proposed mentor must provide a letter detailing his/her support of and commitment to the applicant and to the proposed research and training program. The program should be tailored to the unique qualifications of the applicant. It should specifically indicate the role to be played by the mentor in the development and preparation of the research plan and how this plan fits into his/her own research program. The mentor should describe his/her expertise and experience in the area of research proposed and the nature of his/her proposed commitment of time to the supervision and training of the applicant. The mentor should outline his/her prior experience in the supervision, training, and successful mentoring of clinical scientists.
• Budget Instructions (detailed budget PHS 398 form revised 5/10). The Starker Fellowship award is for 2 years of $49,500 each. The basic stipend may be up to $45,000. No indirect costs are allowed.
• A listing of the applicant's and mentor's current and pending support, using NIH biographical sketch (PHS 398 revised 5/10) format.

Evaluation and Selection
Applications are evaluated by the Jacob's Cure Scientific Advisory Board. Evaluations will be based upon the following criteria:

• The originality and quality of the research plan
• The applicant's ability and promise as a cinician scientist as revealed by his/her previous training and career plan, letters of reference, and curriculum vitae
• The quality and nature of the training to be provided, and the institutional, departmental, and mentor-specific environment in which these will occur

Annual and Final Progress Report
The annual progress report is due in May of the first year of the award. The final research report and the final expenditure report from the sponsor institution are due within 60 days following the close of the grant term. Additionally, grantee will be expected to attend the Jacob's Cure Research Summit (held bi-annually) to present his/her progress report. (Summit travel & lodging expenses will be covered by Jacob's Cure.)

Deadline and Address
All applications and supporting materials must be received by April 1, 2011. Results of the evaluation and selection process will be shared with applicants in May and grantee will be expected to attend the research summit June 3-5, 2011.

QUESTIONS AND APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO:
Jacob's Cure
Attn: Sarah Goshman
PO Box 52
Rye, NY 10580
Ph: 914-502-4249 | Fx: 914-925-3979 | E: sarah@jacobscure.org

Notice Regarding the NIH Loan Repayment Program The NIH Extramural Loan Repayment Program (LRP) includes investigators conducting research for a nonprofit foundation. Applicants to the Starker Fellowship for White Matter Disease Clinical Research may be eligible for this program and are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit the LRP website at www.lrp.nih.gov.