Applying to the Klingenstein Third Generation Foundation Fellowship Program

• The abstract must be one-page maximum, written in 12-point font, in Times New Roman or larger script, with one-inch page margins. It may be single-spaced.
• The abstract should be written for a layperson’s understanding.
• The abstract should be organized into the following sections: aims/hypotheses, design, methods, and anticipated outcomes.

Please note that the proposed project needs to be accomplished in two years.

• Format Requirements:
  • Seven-page limit (including human subjects).
  • Figures, tables, diagrams, and similar items must be included within the page limit. References are not permitted as part of the proposal but may be submitted in a separate section.
• The Department Chair or Primary Mentor must sign the Research Proposal at the top of the first page to demonstrate scientific and institutional support for the proposal as written.
• In addition, proposals should meet the following requirements:
  • Adhere to the NIMH format, including the following sections: specific aims, significance, and approach (including preliminary studies, if relevant). The approach section (i.e., research plan) should include clearly stated hypotheses and procedures, a description of the population to be studied, measures to be used, the analytic plan, and a description of any special circumstances that may apply.
  • Include in the proposal a formal section on human subjects, describing all relevant issues and highlighting any special considerations that may apply.
  • Proposals involving recruitment of study participants must indicate the flow rate of similar subjects (same ages and diagnoses) through the applicant’s research center for other studies. Applicants piggybacking on mentor’s research samples need to describe sample retention procedures and rate of positive consents. Include timelines for recruitment in the parent study and discuss how this may impact recruitment into the proposed fellowship project.
  • Indicate whether the candidate has applied for IRB approval, and if so, the date of the application or expected application. No award will be final until IRB approval is obtained.
  • For animal studies, clearly demonstrate the relevance of the research to humans.
  • For resubmissions, candidates should address any substantive comments made by the review committee about the prior submission. Given the large numbers of highly qualified submissions, there is no guarantee that a re-submission will be successful even if the comments are adequately addressed.

A separate document of references may be included.

The total amount of the award is $100,000 payable over two years in equal installments of $50,000 each.

• Please complete the budget form found here.
  Target Start Date: June 1.
• Given the lack of funding for young investigators, the KTGF has a strong desire to allow fellowship recipients to use the full amount of their award. The program aims to limit indirect costs to no more than 10%, or to avoid paying them altogether if possible. The Foundation regards an institution’s willingness to waive indirect expenses as important evidence of institutional support which can weigh in the decision to grant the award. Nonetheless, the Foundation agrees that as much as 10% of the award may be allocated to indirect costs without penalty, although it reserves the right to consider the requested amount of indirect costs when making decisions regarding its awards. Please note that any such indirect expenses will be deducted from the awarded funding.
• The office at the candidate’s institution responsible for approving the project’s budget must sign the KTGF budget form.
• Please explain the budget, providing assurance that receipt of this award will not result in duplication of funding or in reduction of support from the host institution.
• Please address the distribution between salary and research support. If there is a difference between the percentage of effort and salary support taken in preparing the budget, it should be noted.

• NIH-style biosketch or biography portion of the CV only (including research projects).
• Personal Statement: In one-page, please describe the primary investigator’s past and current training, explaining how the fellowship will advance his or her professional development.
• Other funding sources: Please list all university, foundation, and government grants. Provide a description, award amount, and percentage of time dedicated to the project.
• In describing current funding and pending applications, please indicate any potential overlap and highlight the independence of the project proposed for the KTGF Fellowship.
• Pending funding: Indicate other sources of funding, if any, that are pending. Include date of submission and title.

• Department chair’s letter of nomination. Each department must select only one research project and investigator for nomination per fellowship. The letter of nomination should indicate the following:
  • The department chair opened the institution’s selection process to qualified candidates and selected the qualified applicant given the Foundation’s guidelines.
  • The institution’s support for the primary investigator’s work, including lab or office space and time; protection of research hours, if the grant is awarded; and access to appropriate faculty support.
  • A statement of support for the proposed study.
  • A statement of support for the candidate’s qualities and potential to complete the study.
  • A statement of support for the quality of the primary mentor and mentorship team.
• Primary mentor: The primary mentor must be on-site. His or her letter should address the following:
  • How the mentor’s areas of expertise correspond to the candidate’s research project and will contribute to the candidate’s overall training and growth as a primary investigator. This should include how the mentor’s time will be allocated toward the candidate’s project and the specific way this contact will aid the candidate during the fellowship.
  • Document the mentor’s qualifications and separately indicate his or her track record as a mentor.
  • How the institution and/or the department will support the primary investigator and the mentor(s) in successful completion of the research project. This should include the percentage of time the institution will release for the proposed research, plus details regarding institutional/department resources (including access to specialized equipment, office, and research space) and availability of statistical consultation.
  • The feasibility of successful completion of the project given the proposed research design, study population, technical requirements, and budget for completion.
  • If there is a secondary mentor(s), how the primary mentor will interact with the other mentor(s) to implement the overall program.
• Secondary Mentor(s): While it is not required that there be secondary mentors, applicants who propose research involving expertise beyond their primary mentors’ scope must indicate how they will receive training and supervision in these areas. In these circumstances, we require letters from secondary mentors explaining their role in the proposed fellowship training and research project. The secondary mentor should also address his or her time commitment to the research and the nature of the mentorship. Secondary mentors may be on or off site.
• Subjects’ recruitment letter: Applicants who intend to recruit from a specific program or site should include a letter of support and collaboration from the site director, indicating their willingness to participate in the project and how they will facilitate recruitment. This includes schools, other agencies, or relevant clinical or research programs within your own institution.