Junior Clinical Research Awards (Bolsas de Investigação Clínica Júnior)
Applicants: MDs in residency who want to initiate their clinical research training
Duration: Up to 3 years
Training at Harvard Medical School: Summer Course: Program in Clinical Effectiveness (PCE) http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/academics/clinical-effectiveness/application/
Duration at HMS: 14 weeks divided by 2 summer periods
Application at HMS: Candidates must follow the HMS application guidelines
Funding: Up to 80,000 Euros / Year (max: 240,000/3 years). For the 2010 Calls funding is available for two awards
Application procedures: Please consult the Offical Call for detailed application content. Submit online application through FCT website, including the relevant annexes. The link will be available soon.
Structure of the application: The application must be written in English, and must include:
- Three detailed letters of recommendation sent by individuals who are familiar with the applicant's clinical ability and/or research potential. One of these letters must be from the applicant's Department or Division Head who must take responsibility for protected time of the applicant from clinical effort.
- A one-page statement of the applicant's reasons for wishing to attend this program, indicating his/her professional goals and describing why he/she feels that this program will be beneficial to him/her.
- The CV of the applicant.
Opening Date of Calls: To be announced soon
Application Deadline: 28 October 2010, 17h00
Starting Date of Training: 1 July 2011
Senior Clinical Research Awards (Bolsas de Investigação Clínica Sénior)
Applicants: MDs who want to pursue intensive training in clinical research
Duration: Up to 4 years
Training at Harvard Medical School: Master of Medical Sciences: Scholars in Clinical Science Program (SCSP) http://www.hms.harvard.edu/gradprograms/scsp/admissions.html
Duration at HMS: 2 years
Application at HMS: Candidates must follow the HMS application guidelines
Funding: Up to 100,000 Euros / year (max. 400,000 Euros / 4 years. For the 2010 Calls funding is available for 1 award.
Application procedures: Please consult the Official Call for detailed application content. Submit online application through FCT website including the relevant annexes. (Link to be notified soon).
Structure of the Application: The application must be written in English, and must include:
- Three detailed letters of recommendation sent by individuals who are familiar with the applicant's clinical ability and/or research potential. One of these letters must be from the applicant's Department or Division Head who must take responsibility for protected time of the applicant from clinical effort.
- A statement of intent that A) Describes the general area of research in which the applicant is interested and his/her reasons for choosing this area (maximum of 300 words). B) provides a general outline of the project(s) that the applicant wishes to complete during the tenure of his/her involvement in the Scholars in Clinical Science Program. Please provide as much detail as possible including hypothesis, methods and potential pitfalls. If the applicant does not have a specific project, describe in general what the project(s) might be (maximum of 700 words). C) If the applicant has already chosen a mentor, what were the reasons for doing so? (maximum of 200 words). D) Describes the applicant's reasons for wishing to attend this program, indicating his/her professional goals and describing why he/she feels that this program will be beneficial to him/her (maximum of 600 words).
- The CV of the applicant.
Opening Date of Calls: To be announced soon
Application Deadline: 28 October 2010, 17h00
Starting Date of training: 1 July 2011
Bolsas de Investigação Clínica no âmbito do Programa Harvard Medical School - Portugal
As Bolsas de tipo "Júnior" terão uma duração entre dois a três anos, enquanto as Bolsas de tipo "Senior" duram um total de quatro anos.
Nos dois primeiros anos, os bolseiros "Júnior" irão participar em cursos intensivos de dois meses na Harvard Medical School.
Os bolseiros de tipo"Sénior" passam dois anos em regime de dedicação exclusiva a frequentar um programa que conduz ao grau de "Master of Medical Sciences" atribuído pela Harvard Medical School.
Para ambos os tipos de Bolsas, o restante tempo é passado numa instituição em Portugal, onde irá ser desenvolvido um projecto de investigação clínica em regime de co-orientação, com um tutor em Harvard e outro em Portugal. As Bolsas incluem apoio financeiro para a execução do projecto de investigação em Portugal.
As Bolsas são particularmente indicadas para médicos com o estatuto de interno doutorando.
O CONCURSO ESTÁ ABERTO ENTRE JUNHO E JULHO DE 2010.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
1. Who can apply for the JUNIOR Clinical Research Awards?
MDs in Portuguese residency training who want to initiate their clinical research in Portugal. These awards are intended for young MDs who are willing to complement their clinical training with a competitive research project.
Successful applicants will also attend the summer course "Program in Clinical Effectiveness" (PCE) at Harvard Medical School (HMS), which is designed for the clinician seeking the quantitative and analytic skills needed for clinical research or interested in health care administration.
2. Who can apply for the SENIOR Clinical Research Awards?
Physician investigators who are willing to take a 2-year Master's training program at Harvard Medical School, followed by a clinical research project in Portugal for an additional two years.
The Scholars in Clinical Science Program (SCSP) is a two-year post-graduate training program in clinical investigation and consists of formal didactic course work, longitudinal clinical research seminar series, and a mentored clinical research project.
3. What is the institutional support that must be guaranteed for a successful application?
Candidates (both Junior and Senior) must demonstrate the support of their institution, namely the health institution where their clinical training and/or practice is taking place, and the research infrastructure that will enable them to carry out the work. This support must be guaranteed in writing by the Portuguese hospital, clinical institution, and/or research laboratory in which the clinical research will be conducted.
Junior Awards candidates must also choose a Portuguese mentor. Where appropriate, a Harvard co-mentor may also be recruited.
4. Is this a full-time research project? How is it compatible with the medical residency?
Full-time dedication is only required during the training periods at Harvard.
Medical residencies are submitted to specific legal regulations ("Regime Jurídico do Internato Médico" - Decreto-Lei No. 203/2004; DR, I Série-A, No. 194, 18 Agosto 2004) and research training projects must be organized accordingly.
For the specific case of residents committed to PhD training please consult "Regulamento dos Internos Doutorandos" (Portaria no. 172/2008; DR, 1ª Série, no. 33, 15 Fevereiro 2008).
5. How long is the training period at Harvard Medical School for the Junior Awards?
Junior candidates will apply for the summer course "Program in Clinical Effectiveness" (2010 dates: 1 July - 13 August). The research project itself will be conducted in Portugal.
6. How long is the training period at Harvard Medical School for the Senior Awards?
Senior candidates will apply for the 2-year Master in Medical Sciences "Scholars in Clinical Science Program" (the academic year begins the first week of July and runs through the last week in April). Following that, trainees will return to Portugal for an active clinical research project.
7. How is the application process for the Harvard Medical School training programs?
The applications for the summer course (Junior Awards) and the Master in Medical Sciences (Senior Awards) will follow the normal HMS admissions process. Please contact the HMS-PT team for further guidance into these applications.
For Junior Awards, tuition and registration will be provided for each qualified MD resident to attend the Harvard Medical School "Program in Clinical Effectiveness" (PCE) summer course during the first and second year of their award. The awardees must apply and be accepted to the PCE summer course through the normal PCE admissions process. Participation in the PCE for two successive summers will provide each awardee with a solid underpinning for clinical research.
For Senior Awards the HMS-PT Program Admissions Committee will forward the application of two students per year to the Harvard Medical School "Scholars in Clinical Science Program" (SCSP) Admissions Committee. If the top Portuguese applicant is accepted through the SCSP's normal application and admissions process, the program will award the student two years of funding to attend the program.
For more information on HMS applications: Program in Clinical Effectiveness (PCE) http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/adacemics/clinical-efectiveness/application/ and
Program for Scholars in Clinical Science (SCSP) http://www.hms.harvard.edu/gradprograms/scsp/admissions.html
8. Can I apply for the Junior Awards while doing my PhD?
Yes. PhD students can apply for the Junior Awards to complement and integrate their clinical and research training.
(Please note that the Junior Awards are attributed to a maximum of three years).
9. If I already have a PhD can I apply for these Awards?
Yes. The Senior Awards are intended to provide support for physician investigators, whether having a PhD or not. Candidates who qualify for an MSc training program at Harvard Medical School (HMS) will afterwards pursue a clinical research project in Portugal.
The "Scholars in Clinical Science Program" 2-year Program at HMS provides superior, coordinated didatic and practical training for individuals interested in careers in translational research.
10. What funding is available and what expenses does it cover?
For the Junior Awards funding is available for up to 80,000 Euros per year (maximum of 240,000 Euros for 3 years). Funding includes salary, travel expenses (namely to cover for the summer course at HMS) and research support in Portugal.
For the Senior Awards funding is available for up to 100,000 Euros per year (maximum of 400,000 Euros for 4 years). Funding includes salary, travel and tutorial costs during the 2-year MSc at HMS, followed by an annual stipend (including benefits) and an annual supplement towards research costs in Portugal for an additional two years.
11. Who will evaluate the applications?
Applications for the Junior Awards will be assessed by a Review Committee of independent experts, to be organized by FCT in close collaboration with Harvard Medical School. The top 2 applications will be forwarded to the "Program in Clinical Effectiveness" Admissions Committee.
Applications for the Senior Awards will be assessed by a Review Committee of independent experts, to be organized by FCT in close collaboration with the Harvard Medical School. The top application will be forwarded to the "Scholars in Clinical Science Program" Admissions Committee.
The application process is designed to recruit the most competitive Portuguese post-graduate student for intensive training in clinical research at Harvard Medical School. The Admissions Committee will include representatives from the Faculties of Medicine and teaching hospitals throughout Portugal as well as one advisor from the Harvard Scholars in Clinical Science Program. Applications will be ranked on the basis of their grades, test scores, research experience, letters of recommendation, and interest and aptitude for international-caliber careers in clinical investigation.
12. Do I need to have a defined research project by the time I apply?
For the Senior Awards, yes.
For the Junior Awards, no. However, we strongly suggest including as much information as possible on your main areas of interest and motivation to pursue a clinical research career.
13. Do I need to be a resident or PhD student to apply for the Junior Awards?
No, the only requirement is to be an MD and have a strong motivation to pursue a clinical research career.
14. I am not sure if I should apply for the Junior or for the Senior Award?
It only depends on your past research experience. For example, if you have already completed your residency but you have never developed a research project you are still eligible to apply for the Junior Awards.
15. Can I involve a third-party institution?
Yes, any third-party institution can be involved in the research project independently of its location. However, funding available for this grant can only finance national institutions and activities. The third-party institution should seek independent funding.
16. Where can I get additional information about these Awards and/or guidance for my research career path?
For discussion on guidance on your research career please feel free to contact the HMS-PT Program Director Prof. Carmo Fonseca (carmo.fonseca@fm.ul.pt). For practical information regarding applications and process please contact HMS-PT Project Manager André Fernandes (andre.fernandes@hmsportugal.pt) TM: +351-919-920-400.