1. Background: Funds have been provided by the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation to the Parkinson Study Group (PSG) to support a one-year fellowship in patient oriented research in Parkinson’s disease, mentored by an experienced investigator.

2. The PSG is announcing a request for applications for clinicians and scientists who are within 5 years of having completed formal training. Candidates should propose a hypothesis driven, one year research plan related to patient oriented research in Parkinson’s disease or related parkinsonian disorders. The candidate must identify an appropriate mentor or mentors with extensive research experience. The candidate should have the potential to develop into an independent investigator.

The proposal must include:

• The focus of the proposal must relate to an area of importance in the field.
• The proposal should also provide a clear description of the educational plan that will be implemented to educate the candidate in development of appropriate research methodology under the direction of the mentor.
• Either the trainee or one of the mentors must be a member of the PSG. More than one mentor is permitted.
• The qualifications of the mentor(s) to guide the specific research program should be stated.

The PSG may award a grant up to $100,000 to cover a 12-month fellowship.

3. Proposal Requirements

• An electronic copy of the proposal in Microsoft Word must be received by the PSG on or before April 15, 2006. Applications should be sent by email to PSGGrant@ctcc.rochester.edu with a cover note that includes the candidate’s name and the title of study.
• The candidate’s proposal should be formatted according to the guidelines for the K08 or K23 proposal available at http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html. However, the research plan itself should not exceed 5 pages. The candidate should also include a 4-page NIH-style biosketch and other support statement for both the applicant and the mentor(s).
• The proposal should include a statement from the mentor(s) including information on research qualifications. The statement should include the nature of the supervision that will occur during the award period and an agreement to provide mentorship to the candidate for the award period. Either one of the mentors or the candidate must be a current member of the PSG.
• A budget and brief budget justification are required for all funds requested. No indirect costs will be funded.
• The funding request should not exceed $100,000.
• Clinical research proposals need not be pre-approved by institutional IRB, but should address concerns pertaining to risk, benefit and consent.

4. All proposals should be received electronically on or before 15 April 2006. Proposals received within the specified time frame will be reviewed by a PSG Committee. Applicants will be notified of the results of these reviews by June 1, 2006. Funding will begin on July 1, 2006 and continue until June 30, 2007. Successful applicants will be required to attend the annual PSG meeting and present the research done during their fellowship year.

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