Becoming a RWJF Physician Faculty Scholar

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the creativity to engage in new areas of research;

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an appropriate knowledge of the skills and methods to carry out research in the applicant’s chosen field of endeavor;

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a mentor or small cadre of mentors who can advise the applicant in career development and research; and

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the support of the applicant’s institutional leadership, including the dean, chair, and division chief, that enables the candidate to engage in research for at least 50 percent of full-time effort.

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Application forms are due on August 29, 2008 by 5 p.m. PDT.

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Candidates will be notified in December 2008 if they are invited for interviews with the National Advisory Committee.

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Interviews for selected applications with National Advisory Committee members will take place in March 2009.

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Candidates will be notified of awards by April 2009.

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Appointments begin July 1, 2009.

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be a physician (M.D. or D.O.) who is a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States or its territories;

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be a junior faculty member in any discipline in a regular line position that could lead to tenure. Junior faculty are defined as those who are at the instructor or assistant professor level and have held a faculty position for four years or less at the time the award begins (July 1, 2009);

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be committed to a career in academic medicine;

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provide evidence of research skills (e.g., past research fellowship or equivalent training);

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have published at least two papers in peer-reviewed journals;

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demonstrate excellence as a teacher; and

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care for patients at least one half-day per week.

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Evidence that the candidate is committed to an academic career and is well prepared to conduct research.

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The research proposal is creative, of high quality and feasible.

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The applicant’s research is in the fields of health policy, epidemiology, health services or community-based research.

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Availability of qualified research mentors and research resources at the candidate's institution.

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Evidence that the candidate is an excellent clinical teacher.

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Evidence that the nominating institution and its senior leadership are committed to supporting the candidate's academic career.

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an original set of application materials with an index and tabbed divider pages (Secure sets with a binder clip. No staples please.)

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10 copies of the entire application including a budget and budget narrative. (Secure sets with a binder clip. No staples please. All copies need an index and tabbed divider pages.)

The original plus ten copies of the application must be received in the National Program Office by 5 p.m. PDT on the August 29, 2008 application deadline.

1.

Executive Summary:  Use the form provided below.  In the sections under “Research Proposal” provide a concise description of the specific aims, significance, and methods (design, outcomes measures and analytic plan) of the project(s) to be conducted if the applicant receives this award.  The applicant will have the opportunity to elaborate on the project in Section 8 of the application.

2.

Budget and Budget Narrative:  See budget guidelines provided below .  Owing to the nature of this support, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is requesting that institutions waive indirect costs.

3.

Letter of Nomination from the Dean of the Medical School:  An acting dean may write this letter. (An associate dean or other school official is not acceptable.)  This letter should include: (a) a statement that the applicant is the school’s nominee; (b) the rationale for nomination of this applicant; and (c) a description of the applicant’s contributions to the school, and more specifically, how the proposed project will be viewed during the promotion and tenure discussions at the school.  If the applicant’s project requires cooperation from an affiliated organization (e.g. a health care system), the dean’s letter should state that the organization is committed to cooperate.  (LIMIT 2 pages; single-spaced)

4.

Letters of Support from the Applicant’s Department Chair and Division Head (if applicable):  The letters should include statements of commitment to the applicant’s future career.  Describe and identify the following:  (a) the personal characteristics of the applicant that will enable her/him to serve as a role model for students and residents; (b) the institutional resources available to the candidate during the period of this award; and (c) information on the proposed distribution of the applicant’s time, assuring that at least 50 percent will be devoted to research and scholar pursuits.  (LIMIT 2 pages per letter; single-spaced)

5.

Description of the Applicant’s Department/Division:  The description should include the number of faculty, a list of currently funded research programs, and a bibliography of pertinent research. (LIMIT 2 pages, bibliography can be up to an additional 2 pages if needed; double-spaced) 

6.

Mentor Letter(s) of Support:  The letter(s) should include:  (a) background information pertinent to the mentor’s ability to serve as a mentor, including a description of any prior experience as a mentor and prior experience in the applicant’s proposed area of research; (b) a detailed description of how the mentor plans to work with the applicant and collaborate with other mentors, as well as information on the specific areas on which the mentor will provide advice;  (c) an assessment of funding and other resources available for support of the applicant’s research; and (d) an indication of the mentor’s willingness to provide an annual update on the applicant’s progress and to attend meetings as appropriate.  (If the applicant has more than one mentor, only the primary mentor will need to respond to item d.)  Mentors who aren’t at the applicant’s institution should also explain in their letter their specific plan for interacting with the applicant so that they will nonetheless be able to play a vital role in the applicant’s research.  (LIMIT 2 pages per letter; single-spaced)

7.

Letter of Support from Applicant’s Past Mentor (if applicable):  A letter describing the applicant’s ability to carry out the proposed project and their ability to advance the clinical, research, or educational foundation for physicians.  (LIMIT 2 pages; single-spaced)

8.

Applicant’s Proposal:  The total pages cannot exceed 13 pages and must adhere to the page limits for each particular section as listed below.  (Double-spaced, using a standard typeface and at least 11 point font.  Submissions with smaller font size will not be reviewed.  Please number pages.)

The proposed project and necessary resources should be clearly stated and organized as follows:

a.

Statement of the research problem and specific aims of the project:  Describe the specific research question(s) and hypotheses to be addressed in this project.  State how the proposed project addresses important issues and how it will add to the current body of knowledge.  (LIMIT 1 page)

b.

Background:  Provide an overview of the current knowledge on the proposed topic and its importance.  (LIMIT ½ page)

c.

Previous studies and preparation for conducting research:  Describe completed research projects and skills acquired that prepared the applicant for conducting the proposed project.  Include names of mentors and program directors from fellowship programs or other experiences.  (LIMIT ½ page)

d.

Methods:  Describe research methodology and proposed analytic techniques.  This section is the most important part of the application, and it should contain sufficient detail to demonstrate the feasibility of bringing the research project to a successful conclusion. It should include a subhead on limitations.  (LIMIT 9 pages)

e.

Applicant’s current educational role:  Describe current involvement in education of medical students, residents, and fellows (include supervision of trainees in clinical settings), and give an indication of how this role would change if the applicant is selected as an award recipient.  (LIMIT 1 page)

f.

Applicant’s current clinical responsibilities:  Describe the time devoted to patient care.  Indicate the number and nature of the patients for whom direct care is assumed, and list other clinical attending responsibilities.  (LIMIT 1 page)

9.

Applicant’s Curriculum Vitae

10.

Faculty Mentor(s) Curriculum Vitae:  Include only select relevant publications, professional and academic appointments, and current and past research funding support.  (LIMIT 4 pages per mentor; CV required for each mentor who is included in Section 6)

11.

Reprints:  Include articles authored or co-authored by the applicant that have appeared in peer-reviewed journals and represent scholarly productivity.  Alternate evidence of scholarship may be submitted if prior approval of the National Program Office is obtained.  (LIMIT 4 articles)

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