Research and Education Foundation Seed Grant Guidelines
and Submission Procedures

Intent
The Society of Thoracic Radiology is offering seed grant support for young investigators to pursue novel research in thoracic imaging and related fields.

Eligibility
The principal investigator, or faculty mentor, should be a member of the STR. Preference will be given to Residents, Fellows, and Junior Faculty (within 5 years of completion of fellowship.)

Awards
Funding is $8,000 - $20,000 for a duration of one (1) year. Funds for computers and development of teaching models will not be considered. The grants will not pay for travel, overhead or indirect costs. Up to 50% of the seed grant amount could be used for salary support.

	February 15
	July 31

Evaluation Criteria
In order to assist the applicant through the application process, the Society recommends that applicants submit a one-page letter of intent to the chair of the Research Committee prior to the submission of the grant. The letter should summarize the hypothesis, proposed methods, and anticipated budgetary needs.

The proposal can then be reviewed by the committee to determine the likelihood of funding, before the applicant creates a formal application. This optional letter of intent should be submitted at least six weeks before the proposed grant application deadline. Letters can be emailed to jerasmus@di.mdacc.tmc.edu

	Originality: Are the scientific objective and imaging proposals innovative/creativity?
	Scientific merit: Is the project plan logical and does it have a reasonable probability of success?
	Significance: Will the project address an important problem; is it likely to generate ongoing support from other sources?

Each proposal will be evaluated by peer reviewers having expertise in thoracic imaging. The panel will assess the relative merits of all proposals, including the potential for significant contributions to thoracic imaging.

	Abstract: A brief succinct summary (no more than 500 words ) of the proposal.
	Specific Aims: List the broad, long-term objectives, and what the specific research propose in this application is intended to accomplish. State the hypothesis to be tested.
	Background and Significance: Briefly sketch the background leading to the present application, critically evaluating existing knowledge, and specifically identify the gaps which the project is intended to fill. State concisely the importance and health relevance of the research described in this application by relating the specific aims to the long-term objectives.
	Preliminary Studies: This section should provide an account of any preliminary studies performed by the principal investigator pertinent to the application and/or other information that will help establish the experience and competence of the investigator pursue the proposed project.
	Research Design and Methods: Describe the research design and the procedures to be used to accomplish the specific aims of the project. Include how the data will be collected, analyzed, and interpreted. Statistical methods should be described in detail. Describe any new methodology and its advantages over existing methodologies. Discuss the potential difficulties and limitations of the proposed project, and alternative approaches.
	References: Provide any relevant references to the project.
	Bibliographic Sketch: An NIH bibliographic sheet should be submitted for all investigators.
	Budget: A detailed budget should be justified and limited to 1 page.
	Other Support: List all active and pending support for all investigators. Please describe any over-lap between this and other funded (active or pending) projects.
	Notification: Notification of funding will be approximately 10 weeks of the deadlines. Successful proposals will require:
	a progress report at 12 months, submission of an abstract for possible presentation at an appropriate STR meeting.

Submit three (3) copies of the application (preferably by e-mail) to:
Society of Thoracic Radiology
c/o Matrix Meetings, Inc.
P.O. Box 7169
Rochester, MN 55903-1026
507-288-5620
Fax: 507-288-0014
e-mail: str@thoracicrad.org