Awards and Scholarships

SVS Clinical Research Seed Grants

Deadline: Coming Soon

2008 Award Winners

Dr. Fritz Bech
Palo Alto Institute of Research & Education

Dr. David Cassada
University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine

Dr. Rabih Chaer
University of Pittsburgh

2007 Award Winners

Dr. Greg Landry
Oregon Health and Science University

Dr. Maureen Sheehan
University of Texas San Antonio

Dr. Mark Wyers
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center

In recognition of the growing importance of clinical investigation in vascular disease, the Society for Vascular Surgery 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 trialists 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 to develop/test biomarkers, surrogate imaging, physiologic, or quality of life endpoints. Letter of support from the primary trial sponsor would be required.
  • Pilot clinical trials of all types
  • Studies on the natural history of vascular disease, pathophysiology, or on the mechanisms underlying the 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 member or 2) a fellowship-trained, board-eligible, vascular surgeon with a full-time faculty position with an SVS member serving as mentor.

Application Process:  An electronic copy of the complete application must be must be submitted to smurphy@vascularsociety.org.  One original application signed by the Principal Investigator and Administrative/Financial Official must be received in the SVS office (Mail to: SVS Clinical Research Committee, 633 N. Saint Clair, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL  60611).

Applications include the following:

1. Clinical Research Seed Grant Face Page 

2. Clinical Research Proposal (maximum 10 pages):  Include specific aims, background and significance, preliminary studies and rationale, research design and methods, budget and budget justification.  

3. Curriculum Vitae of Principal Investigator and any Co-Investigators.

4. If applicable, include letter(s) of support from the SVS Member serving as mentor and/or any significant collaborator or consultant on the project.

Review Process: Applications will be reviewed by the SVS Clinical Research Committee

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. 

Contact:  Research and Standards Manager, Society for Vascular Surgery, (312) 334-2305, Email: vascular@vascularsociety.org

Society for Vascular Surgery - 633 N. St. Clair, 24th Floor; Chicago, IL 60611; Phone: 312-334-2300 or 800-258-7188; Fax: 312-334-2320; Email: vascular@vascularsociety.org
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