Scholar Awards

To improve the lives of individuals with eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders through innovative research, clinical expertise and education via collaborations between scientists, physicians, patients, and professional organizations.

CEGIR is a NIH-funded collaborative consortium of clinician-investigators, translational scientists, physicians, patients, families and patient advocacy groups (PAGs). CEGIR (U54 AI117804) is part of the Rare Disease Clinical Research Network (RDCRN), an initiative of the Office of Rare Disease Research (ORDR), NCATS (National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences), and is funded through collaboration between NCATS, NIAID and NIDDK. CEGIR recognizes a growing need for physicians that are trained to address the needs of patients with eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs) and the need for a greater focus in the clinical research enterprise focused on these diseases. The CEGIR grant (U54 AI117804) affords the opportunity to train experts through establishing a much-needed training program for these rare diseases. CEGIR releases this Request for Applications (RFA) for Training Awards to physicians (fellows-in-training and junior faculty) interested in developing expertise in performing research in and providing outstanding clinical care for EGIDs.

All awards are subject to the regulations, policies and objectives of the U54 grant and CEGIR, which govern this training support, and are contingent upon the availability of funds.

Applicants must be physicians with ongoing or completed subspecialty training (within 5 years of award start date) in a related field in an ACGME-approved training program. Candidates should be US citizens, US permanent residents, and possess a valid visa to work in the US.

The Award will provide $30,000 for one year for salary support and supplies. Indirect costs are not covered. In addition, the awardee will participate in structured didactics, interact with experts in EGIDs, travel to meetings and CEGIR sites, receive research mentoring, and lead an EGID related research project related to a theme of CEGIR. The activities include but are not limited to the following:

• Access to on-line series of core lectures on topics pertaining to research including statistics, study design, epidemiological approaches, ethics, and collaborations.
• Access to on-line series of lectures on EGIDs including pathogenesis, evaluation, treatment, long-term care, bioinformatics, advanced laboratory techniques, and future directions.
• Annual travel to a CEGIR site to develop in-depth knowledge on EGIDs. Travel costs are included in the Award amount.
• Access to resources and opportunities, including mentors, at each of the CEGIR sites and PAGs to collaborate with and enhance professional career.
• Travel to one PAG meeting each year. Travel costs are included in the Award amount.
• Opportunity to participate in ongoing CEGIR projects and committees including the CEGIR Diversity Committee.
• Participation in CEGIR meetings (eg teleconferences) and contribute to CEGIR activities and publications.

The awardee is expected to conduct a research project focused on EGIDs. In addition, the awardee will choose mentor(s) from among the CEGIR investigators who will interact closely with the awardee and provide evaluation to the CEGIR Training Core every six months. At month 8 (eight) of the annual award, the awardee will submit a progress report to the Training Core and this report, along with awardee’s participation in CEGIR.

The selection criteria will include, among other things, the applicant’s dedication to and interests in EGIDs, evidence of institutional support for a career in EGID-related activities (eg discussed in letter of support), amount of time (effort) that candidate plans to dedicate to CEGIR/EGID related efforts, particularly ongoing or planned EGID research projects, and overall interplay of the candidate’s application with the mission and projects of CEGIR.

Research topics of special interest are those focusing on collaborative work, projects that incorporate novel approaches to data collection/mining/sharing, ideas that promote access of information on EGIDs to providers and consumers, and projects that promote clinical trial readiness, along with equity and inclusiveness in trials and care.

• Font: Times New Roman 12 with 1” margins and single-spaced.
• Each section should be numbered individually using the following sequence and headings.

1. FACE PAGE

• Maximum length: 1 page
• Include the applicant’s name, institution, position title contact information and email address.
• Primary Mentor’s name, institution, position title, contact information and email address.

2. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH AND OTHER SUPPORT

• NIH Biosketch. Biographical Sketch Format Page - FORMS-H. 
• Maximum length: 5 pages. 
• List publications and mark in bold those related to EGIDs. 
• List current and active other support.

3. DESCRIPTION OF PREVIOUS TRAINING/PERSONAL STATEMENT

• Maximum length: 2 pages. 
• Provide a description of previous training and a summary of future plans. This section should note previous and anticipated involvement with care of patients and participation in clinical, translational and/or basic research and include: 
  • Area(s) of focus in EGIDs. 
  • Opportunity to see patients clinically and current clinical and research duties. 
  • Career goals related to a long-term commitment to research and care of patients with EGIDs and how this Award will impact these goals. Include discussion on how CEGIR will contribute to your career and what you bring to CEGIR.

4. LETTERS OF SUPPORT 

• A letter of support from the Fellowship Program Director (for Fellow applicants) or Section/Division Chief (for Faculty applicants) must be included and must include at least 25% full-time equivalent (FTE) commitment required for this Award (Award can be used to offset this effort). The effort may be divided between regular patient care, clinical and research activities that are EGID directed. The letter should also comment on the candidate’s eligibility, track record in EGIDs, and future professional growth. 
• A letter from the applicant’s current mentor, if applicable, is suggested. The letter should also comment on the applicant’s qualifications for the Award, current and future career trajectory in EGIDs.

Email your application package to Rhona Jackson at Rhona.Jackson@cuanschutz.edu. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. You will receive an email from Rhona Jackson to confirm that your application has been successfully received. This email will be your only acknowledgment. If you do not receive it in 48 business hours, please contact Dr. Jonathan Spergel, SPERGEL@chop.edu, or Dr. Sandeep Gupta, skgupta@uabmc.edu, to ensure that the application is properly submitted. Please contact Rhona Jackson if you have any questions regarding this application.

The grant provides $30,000 for one year for a minimum dedicated 25% effort towards EGIDs; no indirect costs are covered. The effort can be divided between regular patient care, clinical and research activities that are EGID directed. Payments are made upfront, upon full execution of the award letter. Payments are subject to various contingencies, such as signed assurances, progress reports and financial reports.

The CEGIR Training Award Committee will evaluate all applications. Candidate selection will take into consideration availability of funds, the priority score awarded each application and the committee recommendations.