Clinical & Scientific Research Grant

ACFAS 2024 Clinical & Scientific Research Grant Application now open!

Thanks to support from PICA and the ACFAS Regions, the College will again be offering funding of up to $75,000 for an established investigator and $25,000 for a new researcher.
 
 Important Dates
September 15: Letters of Intent due
September 30: Candidates who submitted a Letter of Intent will be notified if the LOI is approved along with feedback, if appropriate.
October 30: Final applications due

Awards will be announced in December and funding will be provided in January 2025.
 
 Apply Online
 Submit Letters of Intent


 Requirements

  • All applications must follow a modified NIH R21 format.
  • The principal investigator (PI) must be a member of ACFAS in good standing. Fellows and residents may not serve as PI.
  • Only one application may be submitted per PI.
  • Clinical and cohort studies will be given preference.
  • Research must take place in the United States.
  • All projects must be completed within a one to two-year time frame. If needed, extensions may be granted upon request and approval by the research committee.
  • The PI salary may not exceed 10 percent of the total budget. Salary will only be disbursed at the final milestone - submission to The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery for publication.
  • Grants that are for more than the maximum allowable grant award must disclose how the remaining funding will be obtained. Recipient has six months to obtain the additional funding. ACFAS grant funds will not be disbursed without the additional funding commitments.
  • The grant review panel has the right to review and edit the grant budget submitted and award based on the revised budget.
  • Indirect expenses are capped at 10 percent.
  • Quarterly progress reports must be submitted to the College.
  • Any unused funds must be returned to the ACFAS Clinical & Scientific Research Grant Program. 
  • Distribution of funds will be based upon the completion of project milestones/deliverables and must be paid through the PI or PI's institution.


 Additionally, new researchers must satisfy each of the following requirements: 

  • No prior ACFAS research grant award serving as PI
  • Prior research funding (if any) does not total more than $25,000
  • Current faculty rank (if any) is not greater than Assistant Professor
  • Publication H-factor is not greater than 8  


 Grant Review

All applications are scored by an independent review panel of content experts based on the new NIH simplified peer review framework. The review will be based on:

Three Factors:

  1. Importance of the Research
    Significance, Innovation
  2. Rigor and Feasibility
    Approach, including inclusion and Clinical Trial (CT) study timeline
  3. Expertise and Resources
    Investigators, Environment
     Evaluated as appropriate or gaps identified; gaps require explanation

 

Additional Review Criteria:

  • Can affect overall score:
    • Human Subject Protections (for HS and CT)
    • Vertebrate Animal Protections
    • Biohazards
    • Resubmissions/Renewal/Revisions
  • No effect on overall score:
    • Authentication of Key Biological and/or Chemical Resources
    • Budget and Period of Support

 

Non-recused members of the ACFAS Research Committee serve as managers of the grant program and determine when milestones have been achieved.  
 
 Applications for a second year of funding will be considered only on a competitive basis and must adhere to the criteria outlined for initial submissions including the October 15 deadline. Funding beyond the initial $75,000 or $25,000 for a second year is not guaranteed. Competitive renewals must include a progress report detailing the investigative team’s progress and justification for an additional year of new funding.