Application for Transition Award (TA) About the Transition Award Transition Award provides mentored research funding support for aspiring Clinician Scientists who have just completed their formal research training and aims to help budding Clinician Scientists transition to a stable, independent research position or research funding to build up their research capabilities. This application form comprises: Section I: Biographical Sketch of Applicant Section II: Research Proposal Section III: Declaration & Endorsement CLOSING DATE : 1 Dec 2011 5pm (Singapore Time) Applications should be submitted to: Transition Award Application National Medical Research Council
Transcript
Application for Transition Award (TA)
About the Transition Award
Transition Award provides mentored research funding support for aspiring Clinician Scientists who have just completed their formal research training and aims to help budding Clinician Scientists transition to a stable, independent research position or research funding to build up their research capabilities.
This application form comprises: Section I: Biographical Sketch of Applicant Section II: Research ProposalSection III: Declaration & Endorsement
CLOSING DATE:
1 Dec 2011 5pm (Singapore Time)
Applications should be submitted to:
Transition Award ApplicationNational Medical Research Council11 Biopolis Way, Helios, #09-10/11Singapore 138667(Attention: Ms Lim Huey Wen, Assistant Manager, NMRC)
All information is treated with confidence. The information is furnished to the National Medical Research Council with the understanding that it shall be used or disclosed for evaluation, reference and reporting purposes. NMRC has the rights to reject applications with incomplete information or supporting documents.
TA Award Application Checklist
Note to Applicant’s host institution administrator:
Please check the applications and tick the checkboxes below as appropriate. The completed checklist should be attached with the application for submission to NMRC. Thank you.
Duly completed and endorsed Sections I, II and III of application form
Section I (7) and Section II (10) - CVs (maximum 2 pages each) of the mentor(s), co-investigator(s) and collaborator(s) with the email addresses and contact information clearly stated
Section I (7) - One page statement of support per mentor
Section II (7) - Ethics approval (if any)
Section II (9) - Details of Research Project under the following headings: Introduction, Aims, Hypotheses, Methodology and References.
Section II (13) – Abstracts for (i) grant support from industry partner(s) and (ii) other grants being applied (if any) Section II (13) – Information on overlapping sections of similar proposals submitted for funding (if any)
Application for Transition Award (TA)
CATEGORY OF TRANSITION AWARD
There are two categories for Transition Award to allow flexibility in time commitment to the research project. Applicants must select the category upfront and subsequent changes will not be entertained.
Please select one category of time commitment in research:
Category I: >70% (Full salary support subjected to maximum annual cap will be provided) Category II: 50-70% (Salary support will correspond to time spent on research).
Please provide justification/reason(s) for selecting this category.
Clinical Grade Registrar / Associate Consultant/ Consultant/ Sr Consultant*
Contact numberOffice: Mobile:
Fax: Home:
* Please cancel accordingly.
Recent passport-size
photo
2 ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
Please provide details of academic qualifications.
Name of Institution Degree obtained Year obtained
3 CAREER HISTORY
Please provide details of current position and past employment history and explain inactivity between employments, if any.
a) Current Employment (including Adjunct and Joint Appointments)
Name of Institution Department From To Position/Level of appointment
Academic Track in the affiliated
medical school
b) Past Employment (including Adjunct and Joint Appointments)
Name of Institution Department From To Position/Level of appointment
Academic Track in the affiliated
medical school
4 AWARDS / PATENTS HELD (RELATED OR UNRELATED TO STUDY), IF ANY.
Please provide details of awards received.
Name of Award /Patent Year awarded
5 LIST OF BEST 10 PUBLICATIONS
6 RESEARCH PLAN AND CAREER OBJECTIVES
Within the given area below, please describe your immediate and long term research career objectives, explaining how the award will contribute to their attainment.
7 MENTOR
Information of Participation
Please provide the following details from your mentor(s). Please include the CVs (2 pages maximum) of the mentor(s) with the application form.
a) Particulars of Mentor and Co-Mentor
Particulars of Mentor (s)
Name of Primary Mentor1
Name of Organisation and address
Designation
E-mail Address
Telephone Number
Name of Co- Mentor
Name of Organisation and address
Designation
E-mail Address
Telephone Number
Please add rows if there are more than one co-mentor.
b) A one-page write-up per mentor comprising:
i. mentor(s)’ research qualifications and previous experience as a research supervisor.
ii. a plan that describes the nature of the supervision and mentoring during the award period, including how the mentor can contribute to the applicant’s scientific and professional independence, and the time commitment the mentor is willing to make.
iii. a description of the planned research training, including any formal course-work (if any).
iv. a plan transitioning the applicant from the mentored phase to be an independent CS at the end of the award.
v. how the applicant’s proposed research is similar or different from primary mentor’s research and describe how applicant will gain independence from the mentor.
vi. how the co-mentor(s) will coordinate with the primary mentor and applicant, if applicable.
8 OTHER SUPPORT
1 The primary mentor should be an accomplished researcher in the proposed research field and have experience in mentoring junior clinician scientists to become independent investigators.
Please provide the following details for the grants currently held by the Applicant. Applicants should not hold national (e.g. NMRC, A*STAR) or international research grants. Applicants who are on institutional or NIG grants are eligible. Please indicate NIG project number and provide latest research outcomes (with reference to Expected Outcomes section in NIG form).
Attach additional pages if necessary. Please attach the scientific abstract of the grants (a) and (b) listed below, if applicable, for Council’s reference. Missing abstracts/attachments will render this application incomplete.
a) Grants currently held
Title of Research
Funding Agency
Amount of Fund Support Period (year)
Expiry Date of
the Grant% effortApproved
($)Balance
Available ($)
b) Support not related to specific research projects
Provide below details of all other support which are not derived from funds provided for specific research projects, such as departmental technicians, grants from private foundations, start-up funds, donations from charitable organizations and collaborations with industry. You may also attach correspondences showing commitments by other parties in support of your work.
Types of resources Funding Organisations
Duration of support Expiry date, if any
9 INSTITUTIONAL COMMITMENT
Describe the actions in the table below that will be taken to ensure that the Applicant commits to Full Time Equivalent (FTE) in research as declared e.g., reduction of clinical activities and administrative assignments. Describe how the necessary facilities, resources and infrastructure will be made available for the proposed research and career enhancement of the applicant.
Types of resources/actions Description
Availability and location of lab space (In sq meters)
Specify the access to facilities & equipment
Reduction of clinical duties andadministrative assignments
Career enhancement of the Applicant
Backfilling plans for the Applicant’s clinical work
Others; please specify
Section II: Research Proposal
1 TITLE OF RESEARCH PROPOSAL Please limit title of research proposal to 300 characters
2 AMOUNT OF FUNDING REQUESTED
S$ (capped at $375,000, exclusive of indirect cost)
3 PERIOD OF SUPPORT REQUESTED
years (max 3 years)
4 KEY WORDS Please provide Specific Disease Area of the project (maximum 6 key words)
5 FIELD OF RESEARCH
Please fill in the Health Research Classification (HRC) System below with reference to the list attached (Appendix 1 of the Application Guide). The HRC System is adapted from MRC, UK.
a) Health Category
Please select up to 5 categories from the followings and use the minimum number of codes to reflect the main focus of the research.
Blood Musculoskeletal Cancer Neurological Cardiovascular Oral and Gastrointestinal Congenital Disorders Renal and Urogenital Ear Reproductive Health and Childbirth Eye Respiratory Infection Skin Inflammatory and Immune System Stroke Injuries and Accidents Generic Health Relevance Mental Health Other Metabolic and Endocrine
b) Research Activity Code
Please select up to 2 sub-codes from the followings, eg, 2.1.
1 Underpinning Research
1.1 Normal biological development and functioning 1.2 Psychological and socioeconomic processes1.3 Chemical and physical sciences1.4 Methodologies and measurements1.5 Resources and infrastructure (underpinning)
2 Aetiology
2.1 Biological and endogenous factors2.2 Factors relating to physical environment2.3 Psychological, social and economic factors2.4 Surveillance and distribution2.5 Research design and methodologies (aetiology)2.6 Resources and infrastructure (aetiology)
3 Prevention of Disease and Conditions, and Promotion of Well-Being
3.1 Primary prevention interventions to modify behaviours or promote well-being3.2 Interventions to alter physical and biological environmental risks3.3 Nutrition and chemoprevention3.4 Vaccines3.5 Resources and infrastructure (prevention)
4 Detection, Screening and Diagnosis
4.1 Discovery and preclinical testing of markers and technologies4.2 Evaluation of markers and technologies4.3 Influences and impact4.4 Population screening4.5 Resources and infrastructure (detection)
5 Development of Treatments and Therapeutic Interventions
5.1 Pharmaceuticals5.2 Cellular and gene therapies5.3 Medical devices5.4 Surgery5.5 Radiotherapy5.6 Psychological and behavioural5.7 Physical5.8 Complementary5.9 Resources and infrastructure (development of treatments)
6 Evaluation of Treatments and Therapeutic Interventions
6.1 Pharmaceuticals6.2 Cellular and gene therapies6.3 Medical devices6.4 Surgery6.5 Radiotherapy6.6 Psychological and behavioural6.7 Physical6.8 Complementary6.9 Resources and infrastructure (evaluation of treatments)
7 Management of Diseases and Conditions
7.1 Individual care needs7.2 End of life care7.3 Management and decision making7.4 Resources and infrastructure (disease management)
8 Health and Social Care Services Research
8.1 Organisation and delivery of services8.2 Health and welfare economics8.3 Policy, ethics and research governance8.4 Research design and methodologies8.5 Resources and infrastructure (health services)
6 ETHICAL CONSIDERATION AND CONTAINMENT Fund disbursement is subjected to ethics approval if the project involves any of the below.
Participating institutions where study requiring ethics approval is
Please tick accordingly if project involves any of the following: conducted:
a) Human Subject Yes No
b) Use of Human/Animal Tissues or Cells Yes Nofrom Primary Donors (i.e. subject/volunteers recruited for project)
c) Use of Commercially Available Yes NoHuman/Animal Tissues or Cells
d) Animal Experimentation Yes No
e) Requirement for Containment Yes No
f) Multi-centre trial(s) Yes No If yes, please state all participating institutions/centres : )
A copy of the ethics approval is attached:
Yes No
7 ABSTRACT In no more than 300 words, concisely describe the specific aims, hypotheses, methodology and approach of the research proposal including its importance to science or medicine in particular clinical significance. The abstract must be self-contained so that it can serve as a succinct and accurate description of the research proposal. The scientific abstract may be disclosed to other funding agencies.
8 RESEARCH PROPOSAL
In no more than 12 pages (excluding the reference section), the proposal should include following sections. Please use Arial Font size 10 for all text.
I. Specific aims & HypothesisII. Background & Clinical significance
III. Preliminary studies/Progress reportsIV. Methods/ApproachV. How the researchers further the vision/mission of NMRC
State concisely and realistically what the pilot study intends to accomplish and/or what hypothesis is to be tested.
II Background and Clinical Significance
Briefly sketch the background of the research proposed, critically evaluate existing knowledge and specifically identify the gaps which the project intended to fill. State concisely the importance of the research described by relating the specific aims to both short term (3-5 years) and possible long term clinical implications.
Describe how your research will contribute to:a) solving the health problem; b) develop new knowledge;c) develop scientific and clinical applications; andd) developing knowledge in biomedical sciences and providing tangible improvements in
healthcare.
III Preliminary Studies/Progress
Describe any preliminary studies done and their progress( if any)
IV Methods/Approach
Describe the following in detail (refer to Appendix 2 of Application Guide for the statistical checklist for study design):
a) experimental design and the procedure, b) any new methodology and its advantage over existing methodologies,c) the potential difficulties and limitations of the proposed procedures and alternative
approaches to achieve the aims,d) any procedures, situations or materials that may be hazardous to personnel and the
precautions to be exercised,e) statistical justification and the means by which data will be analysed and interpreted.
V How the research furthers the vision/missions of NMRC
Define and describe specifically on indicators that will be achieved by the research to further the vision/missions of NMRC. NMRC’s vision is to translate research for better health. NMRC’s missions are to promote excellence in translational and clinical research; nurture a vibrant research community of clinicians and enhance knowledge translation for better health and economic outcomes.
The impact of NMRC funded research should be assessed by better health outcomes (includes survival, morbidity, quality of life), medical practice and cost-effectiveness of healthcare delivery.
VI Roles of Team Members
Elaborate (in one paragraph) the role of Co-Investigators and Collaborators involved in the project. Specify the research background, technical competencies, role and contribution to specific deliverables and achievements that are relevant and necessary to ensure success for the proposed research.
VII References
Please list the references in the order cited in this proposal, including the titles.
9 WORK CONTRIBUTION OF PI AND TEAM MEMBERS
Please provide the expected percentage effort within the project, as well as within his/her other work commitments for each Principal Investigator (PI), Co-Investigator(s) and Collaborator(s).
Principal investigator (PI) is the lead researcher who has the appropriate level of authority and the responsibility to direct the project/programme being supported by the grant. He/She is responsible and accountable for the proper conduct of the project/programme.
Co-investigator is an individual involved in the scientific development and execution of the project/programme. He/She typically devotes a specific percentage of effort2 to the project/programme and is considered senior/key personnel. The co-investigator needs to hold at least an adjunct position in a local public institution.
Collaborator is an individual involved with the PI and the research team in the scientific development and execution of the project/programme. He/She would typically devote a specific percentage of effort2 to the project/programme and would be identified as key personnel. Researchers from overseas institutions or private companies can only participate as collaborators. The terms of collaboration with overseas research institutions and private companies must conform to NMRC’s existing policies.
Applicant Role Position Department
Institution
% effort within
project2
% effort within own
work commitment
s3
PI Co-
investigator
Co-investigator
Co-investigator
Co-investigator
Co-investigator
Co-investigator
10 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF TEAM MEMBERS
In not more than 2 pages per team member, please use the format below to provide the required information on the Co-Investigators and Collaborators .
Name Title NRIC/Passport No. Office Mailing Address Email Contact No Current Position (Please provide full details, e.g. joint appointments) Academic qualifications (Indicate institution’s name and year degree awarded) Research interests Publications of direct relevance to the study Relevant patents held related to the study Scientific Awards Current and previous support from NMRC or other sources
(Please also include proposals pending approval)
11 BUDGET
Please provide the budget under each category and provide justifications for all categories in Item 11d).
Please refer to the NMRC Policy Document on Financial Regulations for this section. The provision of indirect research cost (IRC) will be computed at the budget revision phase when the project is approved.
a) Manpower
Please budget for all the manpower required for the project including part-time personnel and those to be shared with other projects. State whether they are existing personnel in your institution or new staff to be recruited. Please use salary scales provided by the Bursar’s Office or Hospital Administration as a reference. The cost should include annual increments, National Service increment, staff welfare, medical and other related benefits as per the Human Resource policies of your institution.
2 % effort within project: Represents percentage effort spent by the team members in the project relative to his/her other team members. The total in this column must add up to 100%.3 % effort within work commitments: Represents percentage effort spent by the team members on this project out of individual’s total work commitments (e.g. other grants, other teaching and administrative responsibilities, clinical work etc.)
Staff Category Existing/New No Remarks Total cost
Technologist
Research Assistant
Research Officer
Research Associate
Research Nurse
Postdoctoral Fellow
Visiting Consultant
Others: (please specify)
Total $0.00
b) Equipment
Please budget for all scientific equipment you need to purchase to carry out the project. Indicate sharing of equipment with other projects, if any.
This category covers other expenses directly related to the project such as the purchase of animals, consumables, laboratory manuals, literature search, and maintenance of equipment. Conference travel will be funded only if a presentation or if an article is presented. The presentation or article must be directly related to the project.
Item Description Cost
Materials & Consumables
Overseas Travel
Others: (please specify)
4 For equipment costing more than $100,000 each, please indicate the estimated utilization of the equipment (e.g. 70% usage throughout the project period; only 85% usage in the 2nd year for analysis purpose, etc).
Total $0.00
Grand Total: SGD $0.00
d) Details and Justifications of Budget Requested
Please provide breakdown for all categories and justifications for each item.
i) Manpower
ii) Equipment
iii) Other Operating Expenses (OOE)
Materials & Consumables
Overseas Travel
Others e.g. Singapore Clinical Research Institutes (SCRI) cost
12 MILESTONES
Please propose milestones for assessment of the progress of the study and shade the appropriate boxes. The proposed milestones will be subjected to review by a post-award committee at the end of each FY for the period of grant awarded.
Please indicate your realistic expectations on the outcomes of this grant. Please state ‘NA’ where indicator is not applicable.
Performance IndicatorsIndicate number /
value
Capability Indicators
Training R&D manpower for industry
Master’s research students trained
PhD students trained
Master’s research and PhD students trained and spun out to local industry as RSEs (Research Scientist & Engineer)
Research staff spun out to local industry as RSEs
Post-doctoral (within 3 years of the PhD award) researchers hired
Developing long term R&D capability
Joint programs/projects with prestigious international research organizations
Joint programs/projects with local universities
Invention disclosures
Patents filed
Patents granted
Patents commercialized
Papers published in international journals(To state impact factor)
Presentations at international conferences
Awards for research at national and international level
Industry Relevance Indicators
R&D collaboration
R&D projects with industry cash funding
Industry dollars received to fund R&D projects
Outcomes
Revenue from royalties and licensing agreements
Spin-off companies registered
New products or processes commercialized
14 OTHER SUPPORT
Please provide the following details for any additional support for the grant applied for from industry
partner(s) or grants being applied for by the Principal Investigator only (pending outcomes). Attach additional pages if necessary. Please attach the scientific abstracts of each grant listed in (a) & (b) and required additional information for Council’s reference. Missing abstracts / KPIs / attachments will render this application incomplete.
a) Support from any industry partner(s)
Please provide details on the funding/drug(s) or other resources provided by any participating industry partner(s) for the grant applied for.
Items Supported Funding Source Amount of Fund ($) Support Period (Year)
b) List all grants being applied for where outcome is pendingFor all NMRC grant applications, please indicate application ID. Please indicate all the grants applied of similar proposal where the applicant is involved as either PI, Co-Investigator or Collaborator and provide information on the overlapping sections in the proposal as a separate attachment.
Title of Research and PI’s role in project
Application ID
Funding Agency
Amount of fund applied
for ($)Support
Period (Year)
15 CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Please provide name and contact information of individuals who might have conflict of interests with your current research proposal. This includes competitors who are in your specific area of research
S/N Title Name Details(Institution and e-mail add) Reason for COI
1
2
3
Section III: Declaration & Endorsement
1 DECLARATION BY APPLICANT
I declare that the particulars in this application are true to the best of my knowledge, and that I have not willfully suppressed any material fact.
I declare that Full Time Equivalent (FTE) as selected upfront in this application will be committed to research during the period of funding.
Date: Signature:
2 DECLARATION BY PROJECT TEAM
In signing the Grant Application, the Principal Investigator and all Co-Principal Investigator(s) & Collaborator(s) UNDERTAKE, on any Grant Award, to:
Declare that all information is accurate and true. Not send similar versions or part(s) of this proposal to other agencies for funding. Submit supporting documents of ethics approval obtained from the relevant Institutional
Review Board (IRB) and Animal Ethics Committee for studies involving human subjects/human tissues or cells, and animal/animal tissues or cells respectively.
Be actively engaged in the execution of the research and comply with all laws, rules and regulations pertaining to animal and human ethics, including the Singapore Good Clinical Practice guidelines.
Ensure that National Medical Research Council (NMRC) funding is acknowledged in all publications.
Ensure that all publications arising from research wholly or partly funded by NMRC will be forwarded to NMRC.
Ensure that the requested equipment/resources are not funded by another agency or research proposal.
Ensure that there is a reasonable effort in accessing available equipment/resources within the host institution or elsewhere within Singapore.
Adhere to NMRC’s general guidelines on competitive funding and NMRC’s Terms and Conditions.
The undersigned agree to abide by the conditions governing the award of research grants set out by the National Medical Research Council of Singapore.
In signing the Transition Award Application, the Head of the Department UNDERTAKES, on any Grant Award, to:
Provide appropriate institutional support to the Applicant during the grant period to allow the fulfillment of research goals and milestones
Read, support and agree to this application and the research proposed being carried out in the Department
Ensure that the study complies with all laws, rules and regulations pertaining to animal and human ethics, including the Singapore Good Clinical Practice guidelines
Ensure that all necessary licenses and approvals have been obtained or are being sought
----------------------------------------------------------- ---------------Name and Signature of Head of Department Date
b) Endorsement by Dean of Medical School
Applicants would be required to seek commitment in writing with any of the 3 medical schools for an appointment (regular rank faculty academic appointment OR tenurable track/ tenurable position) that is contingent on their successful award. Applicants need not hold the appointment before applying but they must have an appointment by the time award is made and funding commences.
In signing the Transition Award Application, the Dean UNDERTAKES, the applicant to hold an appointment in Yong Loo Lin (School of Medicine) / Duke-NUS (Graduate Medical School)/ Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine* during the duration of award.
Please state the proposed/current academic appointment of the applicant :
------------------------------------------------------ ---------------Name and Signature of Dean Date* Please delete where appropriate
c) Endorsement by the Institution
In signing the Transition Award Application, the Institution UNDERTAKES, on any Grant Award, to: Provide appropriate institutional support to the Applicant during the grant period to allow the
fulfillment of research goals and milestones Ensure that the funds provided are used for the appropriate purposes Ensure that the study complies with all laws, rules and regulations pertaining to animal and
human ethics, including the Singapore Good Clinical Practice guidelines Ensure that approval from NMRC has been obtained before engaging in any commercial activity
that will exploit the findings of the research funded by the Councils Salary funding provided to the institution should be used to backfill the CS position to allow the
CS the protected time to conduct his research activities within 6 months of award.
------------------------------------------------------ ---------------Name and Signature of Director of Institution* Date
* If the Applicant is the Director of the Institution, UNDERTAKING by the Director’s Reporting officer is required.
