Career Awards for Medical Scientists

Application Deadline:  October 3, 2011 by 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time

Accepting electronic applications only.

In order for an application to be submitted, each section of the application must be completed.  Applications that are not in compliance with proposal instructions will be rejected out of fairness to all applicants.  All attachments must be uploaded as Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files.

The following sections are required:

1. On-line data entry of general proposal information.
2. Upload of requested attachments in a single PDF.
3. Two confidential/blind letters of recommendation.

The application contains online data entry screens requesting such information as applicant contact information, education and training background, the name of the institution where the proposed work will be performed, and contact information for officials at the nominating institution, including the applicant's dean/department chair.

Standard word processing software (e.g., MS Word or WordPerfect) can be used to prepare the attachments; however, all documents MUST be converted from standard word processing format to Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files prior to being uploaded to the BWF grant application system.

Applicant is required to combine the following attachments in the order listed below (to include a Table of Contents) into ONE single PDF.

Using the template provided in the Forms section, describe the proposed work in a scientific abstract that is understandable to a multidisciplinary group of scientific reviewers.

There is no set template for the research plan.  Candidates may use an NIH-style format to include  background, methods, preliminary results, etc.  Your proposal should be a complete, cohesive, and coherent scientific document that is easy to read and tells a story.   Your research plan may also describe:

• Specific aims/background.
• Scope and significance of your postdoctoral research.
• Work you plan for the faculty years.
• Career objectives, including how the award will help you achieve these objectives.

A bibliography is not considered part of the six-page limit.  Use a standard 11- or 12-point font for the text, and no smaller than a 9- to 10-point font for figures, legends, and tables.  The font size requirement for the text will be strictly enforced.  Text must be single-spaced, with one-inch or larger margins on all sides.  Number the pages of the research plan.  

Provide up to three publications or manuscripts submitted for publication that demonstrate the candidate's capabilities and relevant research accomplishments.  At least one reprint is required.  Manuscripts in preparation may not be submitted.  These documents must be in PDF format to be uploaded to the BWF grant application system.

The faculty member under whom the candidate will work during the mentored portion of the award should describe the candidate’s qualifications and potential for contributing to medical science, highlighting specific skills or expertise.  The letter should also describe the research environment in which the candidate will work, the number of graduate students and fellows in the sponsor’s laboratory, and the supporting services to be provided by the institution, including health care benefits.  This letter is a required part of the application.It must be submitted with a signature block (letter writer’s name, title(s) department(s), and institution).  It does not need to be confidential and therefore, can be uploaded by the candidate.

The individual in the service where the candidate took their graduate clinical training should provide a letter describing the candidate’s qualifications and potential for contributing to medical science.  It does not need to be confidential and therefore, can be uploaded by the candidate.  This letter may come from candidate's residency director or fellowship director.

*Note:  This letter is not required for candidates who do not have a medical license or have not completed or are not currently in a residency.  Do not substitute an additional letter in its place if this guideline does not apply. 

The individual with whom the candidate took their Ph.D. degree should provide a letter of support describing the candidate’s qualifications and potential for contributing to medical science, highlighting specific skills or expertise.  It does not need to be confidential and therefore, can be uploaded by the candidate. 

Note:  This letter is is applicable ONLY if you hold a Ph.D. degree.  Do not substitute an additional letter if this guideline does not apply.

Using the template provided in the Forms section, provide a biographical sketch (as a PDF file).  Complete the educational block at the top of the page, and sections A, B, and C, according to the sample provided.  The format of this document is similar to the NIH-style biosketch, with differences shown in italics below:

• Positions and Honors.  List in chronological order previous positions, concluding with present position.  Include a history of medical licensure.  List any honors.
• Selected peer-reviewed publications or manuscripts in press (in chronological order).  Manuscripts submitted may be included.  Do not include abstracts of papers given at meetings.  Separate peer-reviewed publications from non peer-reviewed publications.
• Research Support.  List both current and pending grants and awards with proposal titles, names of the principal investigators, annual direct amounts, beginning and ending dates, and sources of support.

Provide a list of literature references directly relevant to the research plan.  The bibliography is not included in the six-page limit for the research plan.

Using the template provided in the Forms section, describe your activities and interests outside of science to give the CAMS Advisory Committee a sense of your individuality beyond your scientific accomplishments.

Using the template provided in the Forms section, complete with signatures and upload the Signature Page Form.  The Signature Page Form consists of three pages including the page with signatures and the page with contact information for the supporters and recommenders.  Contact information for the applicant and two institutional officials who will sign the Signature Page is required:  (1) the applicant’s signature; (2) the official responsible for sponsored programs, or signing official, and (3) the dean or department chair.  Applicants are responsible for ensuring that the institution’s name and the institutional contacts are correctly entered.  No official letter is required to be submitted by the dean or department chair.

Letters from two individuals who are familiar with the candidate’s qualifications must be attached to the application. No more than two recommendation letters may be provided.  These letters are to remain confidential and are not to be reviewed by the candidate.  For this reason, recommenders must upload their own letters, as PDF files, directly into the BWF grant application system before the 4:00 p.m., October 3, 2011 deadline (Eastern Time).

Note:  It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure that the recommendation letters are submitted on time.  An application will not be considered complete without two confidential blind recommendation letters.

Note: Details for requesting and uploading blind recommendation letters are provided in the on-line application.