Two awards of $20,000 a year for two years are offered to fund graduate students undertaking research in
the biology and epidemiology of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver or pancreas.
They must be
working towards their PhD degree.
The award includes $18,000 for stipend and $2,000 to be used
towards fringe benefits such as medical insurance and travel to a national meeting.
OBJECTIVE
To provide a salary stipend for graduate students performing doctoral research related to the
gastrointestinal tract, liver or pancreas.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants should have completed at least one year and no more than three years of training towards
the doctoral degree and have selected and confirmed the laboratory or department in which they will
conduct doctoral research.
Research is to be conducted at an accredited academic institution within North America and the
research advisor must be a Member of the AGA (please visit www.gastro.org for membership
information).
Applicants should be US citizens, permanent residents or overseas students who have a current visa to
pursue education within North America.
AWARD OVERLAP
If an award recipient receives notification of another award with overlapping scientific objectives, prior to
the start date of an AGA or FDHN award, the applicant must choose between the two awards.
REQUIREMENTS
Awards are made for salary support for the recipient. Indirect costs, excluding travel, are not allowed.
Tuition costs are expected to be covered by the institution or host department and laboratory.
Applicants must submit a one-page description of their long-term career plans and goals.
Three letters of recommendation must accompany the application including one from the research
advisor, one from the department head or director of graduate student research and a third individual
familiar with the students academic credentials and research potential.
Applicants must demonstrate how they will obtain additional knowledge through the proposed project
and how that knowledge may be used in their future research.
Upon notification of receipt of this award, awardees must provide approval from the appropriate
committee at his/her institution for use of human subjects or animals. If approval is not necessary,
awardee must provide explanation.
At the end of the award, the recipient will be required to indicate how the funds were used, the
accomplishments made during the project and how the additional training contributed to his/her
research career development. A complete financial statement and scientific progress report are
required annually and upon completion of the program.
All publications arising from work funded by this program must acknowledge support from the AGA
Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Recipients will be selected based on scientific merit, credentials and long term potential of the candidate
for a research career.
Priority will be given to students aiming for long term careers in research in the
biology and disease of the gastrointestinal tract, liver or pancreas.
REVIEW PROCESS
A selection committee comprised of members of the AGA Research Awards Panel will review the
proposals and select the recipients in May.
DEADLINE
The deadline for receipt of applications without exception is March 14.
An electronic copy of the
application must be submitted by the deadline to awards@fdhn.org
If the deadline falls on a weekend or
holiday, applications must be received by midnight the following business day.
Letters of
Recommendation may be e-mailed by the signatories to awards@fdhn.org or mailed to the Foundation for
Digestive Health and Nutrition, 4930 Del Ray Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA., postmarked by the
deadline.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Copies of Foundation applications and complete electronic submission guidelines can be accessed at
www.fdhn.org
Questions regarding the application submission process should be addressed to the
Foundation, by telephone at (301) 222-4005, facsimile at (301) 222-4010, or e-mail at info@fdhn.org
Additional information is also available on the Foundation web site, www.fdhn.org