Clinical Research Awards

Alpha-1 Foundation/CHEST Foundation Clinical Research
Award in COPD and Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) Deficiency
Supported by the Alpha-1 Foundation and The CHEST Foundation
for Clinical Research in COPD and AAT Deficiency

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.

Background
The year 2008 marks the fourth year of the successful partnership between The CHEST Foundation and Alpha-1 Foundation in sponsoring a one-year clinical research award in COPD and alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency. The CHEST Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the American College of Chest Physicians, 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 Alpha-1 Foundation is dedicated to providing the resources and leadership that will result in increased research, improved health, worldwide detection and a cure for alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency. Their grants and awards programs fund a broad range of research that leads to improvements in the health and quality of life of people living with AAT Deficiency.

Award Granted
A clinical research award of $25,000 will be granted to a single awardee for clinical research in COPD and alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency over a period of 1 year, from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. NEW for 2008: Research projects primarily in usual COPD (not associated with AAT deficiency) are allowed, although use of the infrastructure of the Alpha-1 Foundation is encouraged.

Applicant Qualifications
To be considered a candidate for the Alpha-1 Foundation/CHEST Foundation Clinical Research Award in COPD and Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) Deficiency, an individual must:

Be a member of the American College of Chest Physicians. If currently not a member, apply online.
Hold a degree of MD, DO, MB,BCh, PharmD, PhD or its equivalent
Be a citizen of the United States or Canada or have a J-1 or H-1 visa and be working in a certified United States or Canadian institution

Requirements

Applicants may NOT apply for other types of clinical research awards from The CHEST Foundation (ie, geriatric development research, lung cancer, lung transplantation, or women’s health).
Award is to support clinical research and NOT basic or bench level research.
Research must be focused on the medical treatment or cure of AAT deficiency or other areas relating to COPD.
Requests should be written to include goals and objectives that may be accomplished within 1 year 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 Clinical Research Award

The Clinical Research Award in COPD and Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) Deficiency will be given for a 1-year term for research projects conducted between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009. Special approval may be requested for projects that exceed this time period, but no additional funds will be provided. A letter of request is required for an extension of time to complete the research, subject to approval from the Alpha-1 Foundation and The CHEST Foundation.
Awardees must submit at least a five-page progress report due on January 15, 2009 and final research summary, seven to nine pages, due before July 15, 2009.
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.

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 Alpha-1 Foundation and The CHEST Foundation of the American College of Chest Physicians."

Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be reviewed and graded by physicians with expertise in alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency and COPD. 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 or cure of COPD and/or AAT Deficiency, 5) investigator and environment. Evaluators are also asked to add comments on each candidate’s review form.

If you have any questions, please contact Sue Ciezadlo at (847) 498-8363, fax (847) 498-5460, or e-mail at sciezadlo@chestnet.org.

Additional Information Required for Application
Please submit the following information along with your completed application form:

A cover page listing your name, the title of your research project, the name of the award you are applying for, and your institution. If applying online, the Applicant Information page serves as your cover page.
A typed document (maximum of five pages) responding to the following questions/areas:
- How does your research background and experience in COPD or AAT deficiency 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 (limit to one-page, single-spaced, summary of your research project in non-scientific language)
A letter of support from an appropriate individual at your institution stating that you have the ability (time, necessary resources, qualifications, etc.) to carry out your proposed research project for 1 year.

IMPORTANT:
Applications missing any of the requirements listed above will not be accepted.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.