This award is designed to support young scientists just embarking on their independent research careers and is limited, therefore, to those holding recent faculty appointments. The applicants' research interests should be consonant with those of the Foundation. Deans, Chairs of Departments, or Directors of Institutes/Centers should submit nominations for this award addressed to the Senior Vice President for Research and Global Programs. In addition, the following information must be provided via our online system at
HTTP://RESEARCHGRANTS.MARCHOFDIMES.COM/BOC. The entire process must be completed by March 15, 2008.
The information required is:
- Title of the proposed research project.
- Nominator's name, academic appointment, mailing address, telephone and FAX numbers and e-mail address.
- Candidate's name, academic appointment, mailing address, telephone and FAX numbers and e-mail address.
- Candidate's curriculum vitae in NIH format.
- An abstract of the proposed research.
- The Letter of Nomination (due by March 15, 2008) may be submitted by post, facsimile or e-mail. If submitted by e-mail, it must include the file containing the Letter of Nomination as an attachment and be sent to BOCNominations@marchofdimes.com. The nomination letter should contain information about the candidate's faculty appointment, independence, and facilities available, including his/her laboratory space.
The submissions will be reviewed for appropriateness of the qualifications of the applicant. Our decision will be transmitted to the candidates, and those who are invited to apply will have to do so beginning June 30, 2008. Our scientific advisory committee will conduct the final review of the proposals in October 2008, and the candidates will be informed of the decisions shortly thereafter. The funding cycle begins on February 1, 2009.
These grants do not cover the recipient's salary, but do provide salary support for technical help. They may not exceed $75,000 per year, and are awarded for two years.
Basil O'Connor applicants may not be recipients of a major grant (e.g. an RO1, or other grant exceeding $200,000 a year) at the time of the application. Candidates may not simultaneously submit an application for any other March of Dimes research program. Those who have previously submitted an application to the March of Dimes are not eligible for a Basil O'Connor Award, but may apply for a regular research grant.
The March of Dimes defines a birth defect as any abnormality of structure or function, whether inherited, or acquired in utero and presenting in infancy or early childhood. Deviations from reproductive health of women and men as an underlying basis of birth defects, i.e. preconceptional events, perinatal course, and premature births, are appropriate subjects for research support. (We do not accept applications dealing with infertility.)
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