American Academy of Pediatrics
Section on Perinatal Pediatrics
Marshall Klaus Perinatal Research Awards
MISSION: TO SUPPORT & ENCOURAGE TRAINEE RESEARCH
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Section on Perinatal Pediatrics, and Johnson & Johnson
Pediatric Institute initiated the Marshall Klaus Perinatal Research Awards with the goal of enhancing and
supporting development of research skills among physicians training in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. These
awards provide partial support intended to assist fellows in initiating and completing research projects.
Grants of $5000/year are available.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The American Academy of Pediatrics Perinatal Research Grant Program is designed to give pediatric
residents and neonatal fellows with limited research training and experience an opportunity to initiate and
complete research projects related to their professional interests. $5,000 grants are available to qualifying
trainees. Projects may be related to the full spectrum of child health research, such as perinatal-neonatal
health, behavioral sciences, biomedical science, epidemiology, health services, prevention, public health,
quality improvement, and quality measurement. Trainees must conduct their research under the supervision
of a mentor within his or her own department or with other basic, clinical, or social scientists within the
trainee's institution. Research projects can be conducted for a maximum of two years and should be
completed during the residency program.
The Section on Perinatal Pediatrics’ Research Committee considers each application in light of the following
criteria: proposed methodology, significance of the topic, innovation, feasibility to complete during
fellowship, and relevance to the trainee's career goals. It is of particular importance that the mentor provides
a clear plan of mentorship and outline explicitly what role he or she will take in order to support the trainee in
the conduct of the project. Priority is given to trainees who have no or limited research training after medical
school and to proposals most likely to advance the trainee's research knowledge, skills, and interests.
Award recipients will be expected to submit their research findings in an abstract to the AAP National
Conference & Exhibition (Section on Perinatal Pediatrics) fall meeting. In addition to the $5000 award, the
recipient's travel and lodging (economy airfare and other expenses, as outlined in the AAP Travel
Guidelines) will be provided. In addition, recipients will be asked to complete a brief follow-up survey to
assist with the evaluation of the program.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must be fellows in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine or pediatric residents in a training program
(categorical or combined) who have confirmed plans to pursue subspecialty training in neonatal perinatal
medicine. In addition, applicants must have a definite commitment for at least another year research
training in an accredited program.
INFORMATION
Application packets were mailed to all Training Program Directors. You may also obtain an application at
www.aap.org/sections/perinatal or by calling 800/433-9016, ext. 7656.
RESEARCH TRAINING MENTOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES
The research mentor must have a research background and be knowledgeable in the specific field related to
the project. The mentor's biographical sketch (in standard NIH format, limited to 4 pages), along with a letter
of support, must be mailed directly to the Academy. In the support letter, the research mentor should
explicitly answer the following questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
How does the proposed project fit into the trainee's career plans?
How did the trainee select the topic?
What components of the proposed study will the trainee perform directly?
What is the trainee expected to learn from conducting the proposed research?
What will the mentor do in order to ensure that the trainee increases his / her research
skills and successfully completes the project?
Please note that the grant sent to the institution will be used specifically for the project. No indirect charges
will be paid to the institution.
CHAIRPERSON/PROGRAM DIRECTOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES
The chairperson/program director must write a letter of support and MAIL it to the Academy. In the support
letter, the chairperson/program director must state the time available for the trainee to conduct the research
project. If several applications are submitted from one institution, the program director must rank the
projects. In the event the program director is also the research mentor of an applicant and more than one
applicant from the training program applies for a grant, the Chair of the Department of Pediatrics will be
asked to rank the projects.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE APPLICANT FOR THE TRAINEE RESEARCH GRANT
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Complete the Perinatal Research Grant Application Form and Perinatal Research Grant Proposal
Form and submit by January 31, 2014. Letters of support and biographical sketch also must be
postmarked to the Academy at this time. ONLY APPLICATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN
POSTMARKED BY THE DEADLINE WILL BE CONSIDERED.
Request a signed letter of support from your chairperson/program director.
Request a signed letter of support from the proposed research mentor with a copy of his or her
biographical sketch (in standard NIH format, limited to 4 pages).
Indicate on the Research Grant Application Form the institution to which the grant should be made
payable.
Please contact the Perinatal Research Grant Coordinator if you have not received a confirmation of
your application by March 1, 2014.
Notify the AAP of any address change.
Please note that awards may be used only for the approved study under the supervision of the approved
mentor; a request to change study topic or mentor must be approved by the AAP and will be allowed only
under special circumstances. If the approved project cannot be conducted or completed, the institution is
expected to return all unspent funds to the AAP.
IMPORTANT DATES
January 31, 2014 - Deadline for application and research proposal.
June 1, 2014 - Grants to be funded will be finalized
July 1, 2014 - All applicants will be notified and research grants will be mailed.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR TRAINEES
1. Complete the Perinatal Research Grant Application Form and Perinatal Research Grant Proposal
Form. Trainees should not work together on proposals. Please limit your responses for the online
application to 500 words per section.
2. Request your chairperson or program director to send a signed letter of support to the Academy.
3. Ask your research mentor to send a signed letter of support to the Academy with his or her
biographical sketch in standard National Institutes of Health (NIH) format, limited to 4 pages. For an
example of the NIH format, please refer to the following link:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/biosketchsample.rtf
You do not need to submit your mentor’s CV.
AWARD REVIEW AND SELECTION
You will receive confirmation of your completed application approximately one month after your application
and all supporting materials have been received. If you have not received confirmation of your
completed application by March 1, 2014, please contact the Perinatal Research Grant Coordinator.
The applications will be reviewed by June 1, 2014. Applicants will be notified and research grants will be
mailed after July 1, 2014.
If you have any other questions, after reading the instructions in full, please send an e-mail message to:
jcouto@aap.org or call the Academy at 800/433-9016, extension 7656.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: January 31st
All completed applications, which include the Application Form, Proposal form, letters of support,
and the research mentor’s biographical sketch, must be submitted by January 31, 2014.
Applications will not be processed if any items are missing.
Biographical sketches and support letters must be postmarked by January 31, 2014.
Please send all application materials to:
Jim Couto, MA
Perinatal Research Grant Coordinator
Department of Subspecialty Pediatrics
American Academy of Pediatrics
141 Northwest Point Blvd.
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-1098
The 2014 Marshall Klaus Perinatal Research Grant Program is made possible
through a grant from Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute.