Becoming a VA 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 VA Medical Center Director, Departmental Chair, and choice of VA or overall Division Chief, that enables the candidate to engage in research for at least 75 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 in the first year of a five-year Career Development Award funded by Health Services Research and Development Service;

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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 the instructor or assistant professor level and have held a faculty position for four years or less at the time the PFSP 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 at the time of the VA Faculty Scholars application deadline (August 29, 2008);

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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. (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. We anticipate most applicants will use the same research project as their Career Development Award.  Applicants will have an opportunity to elaborate on the project in Section 6 of the application.

2.

Letter of Support from the VA Medical Center Director:  You can use the letter from your Career Development Award application.

3.

Letter of Support 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 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.  (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; and (b) the institutional resources available to the candidate during the period of this award.(LIMIT 2 pages per letter; single-spaced)

5.

Mentor Letter(s) of Support:  If the applicant has more than one mentor, only the primary mentor will need to provide a letter of support describing how the VA Faculty Scholars program will enrich the applicant’s Career Development Award experience and indicating a willingness to provide an annual update on the applicant’s progress. Applicants may include letters from additional Career Development Award mentors and other letters of support, either new or from their Career Development application. (LIMIT 2 pages per letter; single-spaced)

6.

Applicant’s Proposal:  You should use your Career Development Award research plan; however, total page count may not 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(s) should be clearly described 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)

7.

Applicant’s Curriculum Vitae

8.

Mentor(s) Biosketches or Curriculum Vitae:  You may include VA Forms 10-1313-5/6 from the Career Development Award application, or a 4-page CV listing 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 5)

9.

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 PFSP National Program Office is obtained.  (LIMIT 4 articles)

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