DSF Clinician-Researcher Award

Clinician-Researcher Awards support hypothesis-driven clinical research projects that have significant potential to advance our understanding of Dravet syndrome; slow or halt the progression of the disease, characteristics, or comorbidities of the disease; and/or reduce mortality. The projects must be patient-oriented, with the investigator directly interacting with human subjects/patients. This includes studies such as therapeutic interventions or support/extension of existing clinical trials.

The clinician-researcher award is meant to aid early-career clinicians in gaining experience in clinical research studies of Dravet syndrome (established clinicians without research experience are also eligible). Applicants are required to identify a clinical research mentor to assist in guiding the studies for the duration of the award.

Award funds of $75,000 for one year are made to the affiliated institution in two payments, the second of which is dependent on IRB approval if not required for the first portion of the funding period. Awardees are expected to have a minimum of 25% physician effort, which can be supported (salary and benefits) by this award. Funds may also be used to support a clinical trial specialist’s efforts or similar research support costs. Up to $1000 may be set aside to present findings at a national meeting. No indirect costs are permitted under the Clinician-Researcher Award category. Submission of scientific and financial reports are due no later than 30 days after completion of the project, and awardees are expected to present at a future DSF Research Roundtable.

Successful applicants hold an MD or DO degree, have a valid US medical license (though US citizenship is not required), work full-time at a US academic or research institution. Clinical residents, fellows, and faculty are eligible. Applicants for this grant award are not required to have expertise in clinical research, but rather must identify a primary mentor with experience in the proposed research area. Residents and fellows are additionally required to submit a letter of support from their program director. With the exception of career development and training awards, Principal Investigators on NIH grants exceeding $225,000 and recipients of other fellowships are not eligible.

Tags: Dravet Syndrome, SCN1A, Clinical Epilepsy, Human Studies, Devices, Technologies, Stem Cells, Biomarkers, Behavior, Neuropsychology, Language, Genetics, Epidemiology, Epilepsy Care Professionals, Comorbidity (Somatic and Psychiatric), Antiepileptic Drugs, Non-AED, Non-Surgical Treatments , SUDEP