Call for Applications - USBJI Young Investigator Initiative Grant Mentoring & Career Development Program

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS: January 15, 2018
Spring Workshop – April 6-8, 2018 Rosemont (Chicago), IL

The United States Bone and Joint Initiative (USBJI) and Bone and Joint Canada are dedicated to increasing research of musculoskeletal diseases. To keep pace with the high and increasing burden of these diseases, a higher level of research performed by young investigators in the musculoskeletal diseases is required, and future levels of research assured. This is particularly important given the current environment for research funding, and academic careers. In response, the Young Investigator Initiative is a grant mentoring and career development program providing early-career investigators an opportunity to work with experienced researchers in our field to assist them in securing funding and other survival skills required for pursuing an academic career. To date 202 participants (55%) have successfully obtained $270 million in grants for 1,066 new musculoskeletal research studies. Participants consider this program instrumental to their success. They rate highly the one-on-one mentoring with experienced researchers, the opportunity for inter-disciplinary and peer-to-peer exchange, and collaborations established during workshops.

This grant mentoring and career development program is open to promising junior faculty, senior fellows or post-doctoral researchers nominated by their department or division chairs seeking to pursue a career in clinical or basic research. It is also open to senior fellows or residents that are doing research and have a faculty appointment in place or confirmed. Basic and clinical investigators, without or with training awards, are invited to apply. Investigators selected to take part in the program attend two workshops, 12-18 months apart, and work with faculty between workshops to develop their grant applications. The Spring 2018 workshop is scheduled to take place on April 6-8, 2018, in Rosemont (Chicago), Illinois. The unique aspect of this program is the opportunity for attendees to maintain a relationship with a mentor until their application is funded.  

To apply for this program applicants must provide the documentation listed below. For more about the program and detailed application instructions, please refer to https://www.usbji.org/programs/yii

1. Letter of nomination from Division or Department Chair indicating pledge to cover costs for roundtrip airfare and hotel accommodation for attendance at the two workshops, and the registration fee for the full program if the candidate is accepted. Fee schedule for the full program; $1,000 if candidate is a member of an USBJI member organization and $1,500 for non-members. Click here for listing of USBJI Founding Members and Participating Members. The full program includes two Young Investigator workshops, with participants spending two (2) days at each workshop.
2. Letter of support from institutional research mentor.
3. One or two-page document with program title, specific aims and outline of a proposed grant application from the participant, making sure to note applicant's name.
4. Curriculum vitae of the applicant, to include complete contact details, and discipline specialization.
5. The application is due by January 15, 2018.
6. Submit applications online at https://www.usbji.org/programs/yii/application-information by completing the online application and uploading the four documents noted above.

Sincerely, 

Nancy Lane, MD
Chair
Young Investigator Initiative
United States Bone and Joint Initiative, NFP
9400 West Higgins Road, Suite 500
Rosemont, Illinois 60018
Phone: 847.430.5052/5054
Email: [email protected]