Application Deadline: To Be Announced
In recognition of the importance of clinical investigation in vascular disease, the SVS Foundation announces the Clinical Research Seed Grant program.
Purpose: It is vitally important, both to patients and to the specialty, that vascular surgeons play prominent roles in both industry and investigator-initiated clinical trials. The Clinical Research Seed Grant program has the following goals:
- Encourage the interest and development of clinical investigators among the SVS membership, particularly junior members or those with limited prior experience as Principal Investigators
- Provide direct support for pilot clinical projects that have potential to develop into larger studies fundable by industry or governmental sources
Scope: Clinical research, preferably patient-oriented (NIH defines patient-oriented research as research conducted with human subjects or on material of human origin such as tissues, specimens and cognitive phenomena for which an investigator directly interacts with human subjects). Small-scale clinical trials and ancillary studies in the setting of existing clinical trials (industry or NIH-supported) are particularly encouraged. Relevant examples include:
- Ancillary studies coupled to existing clinical trials. Possible examples include studies to develop/test biomarkers, surrogate imaging, and studies of physiologic, or quality of life endpoints. A letter of support from the primary trial sponsor is required.
- Pilot clinical trials of any type
- Studies on the natural history of vascular disease, pathophysiology, or mechanisms underlying success or failure of vascular interventions
- Application of quality-of-life, functional status, and resource utilization measures to assess the impact of vascular interventions
- Development and validation of clinical risk-prediction models or diagnostic tools
- Studies addressing the nature of disparities in care and outcomes
Funding: $15,000 will be awarded for direct costs for a one-year period. Costs for laboratory assays, imaging studies (as appropriate), data collection, and statistical support are allowable. Principal investigator salary, institutional overhead expenses, major equipment and travel expenses are not allowed.
Eligibility: The principal investigator for the Clinical Research Seed Grant must be 1) an SVS Active Member or 2) a fellowship-trained, board-eligible, vascular surgeon with a full-time faculty position with an SVS Active Member serving as mentor. The principal investigator may submit only one application for the Clinical Research Seed Grant.
Application Process: Applications include the following:
- Clinical Research Seed Grant Face Page
- Clinical Research Proposal:
- 1 page - Specific aims
- 6 pages - Significance, innovation and research strategy (includes tables, graphs, figures, diagrams, charts)
- Budget
- Biosketch of Principal Investigator and any Co-Investigators
- If applicable, based on the eligibility requirements, the application should include letter(s) of support from the SVS Member serving as mentor and/or any significant collaborator or consultant on the project.
Reporting Requirements: At the completion of the study, or by the end of the one-year award period, the awardee must submit a report to the SVS Clinical Research Committee.
Updated August 2012