Clinical Research Awards

The CHEST Foundation/LUNGevity Foundation Clinical Research Award in Lung Cancer
Supported by The CHEST Foundation and the LUNGevity Foundation for Clinical Research in Lung Cancer

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED. DEADLINE: APRIL 30, 2008

Background
The year 2008 marks the seventh year that The CHEST Foundation and the LUNGevity Foundation have offered a clinical award in the area of lung cancer research. The CHEST Foundation was founded in 1996 and focuses its programs and initiatives on four key areas: critical care, tobacco prevention, humanitarian service, and clinical research. Its mission is to provide resources to advance the prevention and treatment of diseases of the chest.

The LUNGevity Foundation was formed in 2001 by a group of lung cancer survivors and their families and friends with a mission to find a cure for lung cancer. The goal of this joint clinical research program is, ultimately, to save the lives of those people afflicted with lung cancer by funding innovative research designed to treat and cure lung cancer.

Award Granted
A clinical research award of $75,000 will be granted to a single award recipient for clinical research in lung cancer over a period of 2 years, from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2010. The amount of $37,500 will be granted after July 1, 2008. Upon receipt of the Progress Report received before July 15, 2009, the remaining $37,500 will be granted.

Applicant Qualifications
To be considered a candidate for The CHEST Foundation/LUNGevity Foundation Clinical Research Award in Lung Cancer, an individual must:

Be an ACCP member who has completed at least 2 years of pulmonary or oncology fellowship and be within 5 years of fellowship or no more than 5 years in practice. If currently not a member, apply online for membership
Hold a degree of MD, DO, MB,BCh, PharmD, PhD or its equivalent
Can be a citizen of the United States, or have a J-1 or H-1 visa, and be working in a certified United States institution or organization, or be a Canadian or international member who is working in a certified institution or organization in his/her country
Be a clinician in lung cancer research

Requirements

Applicants may NOT apply for other types of clinical research awards from The CHEST Foundation (ie, asthma, COPD, geriatric development research, lung transplantation, or women’s health, etc.).
Award is to support clinical research and NOT basic or bench level research.
Research must be focused on medical and/or surgical treatment and cure of lung cancer.
Requests should be written to include goals and objectives that may be accomplished within 2 years of the starting date of the research project.
Research funding received will be used to fund the clinical research project (eg, funds may be used to support salary and supplies directly related to the research project).

Terms of the Clinical Research Award

The Clinical Research Award in Lung Cancer will be given for a 2-year term for a research project conducted between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2010. Special approval may be requested for projects that exceed this time period, but no additional funding will be provided. A letter of request from the applicant is required for extension of time to complete his/her research, subject to approval by The CHEST Foundation and the LUNGevity Foundation.
Award recipients must submit at least a five-page progress report due before July 15, 2009 and a final report, seven to nine pages, due before July 15, 2010. These reports will be shared jointly with The CHEST Foundation and the LUNGevity Foundation.
Indirect costs or tuition payments may not be deducted from this award by the research institution.
The award recipient may receive supplemental income in accordance with institutional policy.

Additional Information Required for Application
The following information is required, along with your completed application form; if you are mailing all related documents/materials to The CHEST Foundation: [If applying online, documentation requirements are listed as you complete the online application process]

A cover page containing your name, the title of your research project, the name of the award you are applying for, your institution, and a brief summary of your research project. If applying online, the completed “Applicant Information” page serves as the cover page.
A typed document (maximum of five pages) responding to the following questions/areas:
- Vision for addressing one or more desired goals (ie, medical and/or surgical treatment and cure of lung cancer) as The CHEST Foundation/LUNGevity Foundation Clinical Research Award recipient for 2008.
- How does your research background and experiences in lung cancer research relate to the project area you wish to investigate?
- How do you plan to investigate the proposed research project? Describe the research design, focus of your project, the resources you will need, and the tools you will use.
- Expected outcomes of your research project
Research citations may exceed the five-page limit and may be added as an attachment (optional)
A current curriculum vitae
A budget
A lay abstract (one page in length, single-spaced, using non-scientific language)
A letter of support from an appropriate individual at your institution stating that you have the ability (time, necessary resources, etc.) to carry out your proposed research project for 2 years. A letter from your research mentor is also required, should you be within 3 years or less in your fellowship training program.

Publications
All publications and/or presentations based on research performed during the period of this award must acknowledge the award in the following manner, "with grant support from The CHEST Foundation of the American College of Chest Physicians and the LUNGevity Foundation."

Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be reviewed and graded by doctors with expertise in lung cancer. Each application will be evaluated and given a final score by totaling the points given to the application by each reviewer. The following areas will be given points ranging from one to five, with five being the highest (best) score: 1) scientific merit, 2) innovation, 3) feasibility of the research plan, 4) relevancy to the medical and/or surgical treatment and cure of lung cancer, 5) investigator and environment. There is also an area on the form for each evaluator to add comments

Malpractice Disclaimer
The CHEST Foundation and the LUNGevity Foundation and their respective officers, directors, regents, members and employees, hereby specifically disclaim all responsibility for any liability, damages (actual or consequential), loss or risk, personal or otherwise, based on any legal theory whatsoever, alleged to have been incurred as a result, directly or indirectly, of the use of any material produced or anything that occurs as a result of the research to be funded by the Research Award granted

IMPORTANT:
Applications missing any of the requirements listed above will not be accepted. All materials must be postmarked April 30, 2008 or earlier to be considered for the 2008 research award.