Clinical Research Training Scholarship in Neuromuscular Disease

Funded by the Neuromuscular Study Group and the American Brain Foundation, in collaboration with the American Academy of Neurology

The purpose of this scholarship is to promote neuromuscular clinical and translational research through fellowships to trainees and to promote the activities of the Neuromuscular Study Group.

Apply by September 10, 2024.

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The award will consist of a commitment of $65,000 per year for two years, plus a $10,000 per year stipend to support education and research-related costs for a total of $150,000. Supplementation of the award with other grants is permissible, but to be eligible to apply for this award, the other grant source(s) cannot exceed $75,000 annually.

Download a printable version of the RFA.

The American Academy of Neurology is firmly committed to embracing the diversity among our members, applicants, and reviewers and affirms the importance of equity and inclusiveness within the AAN research program.

Please only submit one application. Applicants are not allowed to submit applications for more than one award. Your application will also be considered for all relevant clinical research training scholarship awards. 

Visit Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Important Dates

• September 10, 2024: Application deadline — Note that this is the deadline for all documents, including those from the mentor and chair. Applications will be declined if this information is not submitted by September 10.
• January 2025: Notification of recipients
• July 1, 2025: Funding begins

Eligibility

1. For the purpose of this scholarship, research is defined as “patient-oriented research conducted with human participants, or translational research specifically designed to develop treatments or enhance diagnosis of neurologic disease. These areas of research include epidemiologic or behavioral studies, clinical trials, studies of disease mechanisms, the development of new technologies, and health services and outcomes research.” Disease-related studies not directly involving humans or human tissue are also encouraged if the primary goal is the development of therapies, diagnostic tests, or other tools to prevent or mitigate neurological diseases.
2. Recipient must be an AAN member interested in an academic career in neurologic research with an MD, PhD or equivalent doctoral-level clinical degree who has completed clinical residency or PhD no more than 5 years to the beginning of this award (July 1, 2025). If you have completed both residency and a PhD, your eligibility is based on when you completed residency. If you completed a fellowship of any kind after residency, your eligibility is still based on the date you finished residency.
3. Recipient must attend the Neuromuscular Study Group’s Annual Meetings in 2025 and 2026. In 2026, they will present their research.
4. Applicants at accredited US and international institutions are eligible.

Evaluation and Selection

Applications are evaluated by reviewers based on the following criteria:

• Quality and originality of the research plan
• Applicant’s ability and promise as a clinician-scientist based on prior record of achievement and career plan and NIH Biosketch 
• Quality and nature of the training to be provided and the mentor-specific, departmental, and institutional training environment 
• Innovation of the research plan approach
• Project significance: the ability to progress the field or solve an important problem

A successful application should include the following:

• Well-developed hypothesis: The hypothesis is testable and presented in clear language.
• Detailed statistical plan: Statistical methods are well-designed and detailed.
• Strong mentorship: There is clear demonstration of strong mentorship to support the project.
• Feasible primary outcomes: Each aim is feasible, focused, and logical.
• Innovation: Project concept is original, novel, and will advance the applicant’s long-term career goals.
• Well-defined training plan: There is a clear and gap-based career development plan.

Required Attachments for Application

1. PDF of Three-page Research Plan, including brief statements of aims, background, contemplated approaches to methodology and any supporting preliminary data/figures. References do not count toward the page limit. The research plan should be written by the applicant and should represent their original work. However, the applicant is expected and encouraged to develop this plan based on discussion with the proposed mentor. It is appropriate, but not required, for the proposed work to be specifically related to the mentor’s ongoing research.
2. PDF of applicant’s NIH Biosketch. See most recent NIH Biosketch template. 
   
   Once the above information is fully completed and submitted by the applicant:
3. The chair will receive an email with a link asking them to check a box confirming that the applicant’s clinical service responsibilities will be restricted to no more than 30 percent of their time and include a list of the applicant’s non-research related service. The chair will NOT be asked to submit a letter.
4. The mentor will receive an email with a link to submit a letter of reference detailing his or her support of and commitment to the applicant and the proposed research and training plan. The letter should be 1,000 words or less and specifically indicate the mentor’s role in the development and preparation of the applicant’s research plan and should include:
   1. How the proposed research fits into the mentor’s research program
   2. Expertise and experience in the area of research proposed and the nature of the mentor’s proposed time commitment to the supervision and training of the applicant
   3. Mentor’s prior experience in the supervision, training, and successful mentoring of clinician-scientists
   4. Potential for applicant’s future research career and comparison of applicant among other residents
   5. Institution's commitment to 70 percent protected research time
5. The mentor will also be required to upload an NIH Biosketch.

Questions?

For more information or questions, please contact Michelle Maxwell at research@aan.com or (612) 928-6001.