The MGH Research Scholars Program 2019 call for applications is closed. The previous call is below for your reference only.  This call for applications is scheduled to be updated in the Fall of 2019.  Please check the ECOR website and your emails from MGH Research News for updates. Click here to sign up to receive MGH Research News.

MGH Research Scholars 2019


Application Deadline: Tuesday, November 27, 2018 – 5:00 PM

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE AWARDS

The Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Research Scholars program was established with the aim of supporting MGH research faculty. MGH Research Scholar grants are awarded by the Mass General Research Institute and managed by the Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) with the objective to award at least 5 grants of $500,000 over five years; these will be funded at $100,000 per year including indirect costs.

The intent of these awards is to support the careers of outstanding MGH investigators doing cutting-edge research that is highly innovative and expected to result in fundamental scientific discoveries and/or clinical applications.  We ask applicants to choose one of three categories based on the research proposed in the application: Clinical research, Fundamental research, or Population and healthcare research

 

AWARD AMOUNT

As previously stated, these awards are $500,000 over 5 years; and will be funded at $100,000 per year, including 15% indirect costs. Recipients of these awards will be appointed MGH Research Scholars and funding will be effective June 1, 2019. The funds may be used for salary support or as directed by the recipient.

Award recipients will be announced at the reception for the Celebration of Science the first day of the 2019 Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting, which will be held at the Liberty Hotel on the evening of April 3, 2019.

 

ELIGIBILITY  

  • Applicants must have a full-time MGH appointment at the time of application and during the entire award period.
  • Applicants must hold their primary appointment at MGH and their research must be based at MGH.
  • Independent MGH research faculty at the level of HMS Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor are eligible to apply. Qualified applicants should have a proven track record in external peer reviewed funding and should demonstrate innovative ideas in their chosen field. Full professor applicants should be within the early years of their appointment to be eligible to apply.
  • Investigators must spend the great majority of their effort in research and have one R01 or equivalent level of external support. 
  • Investigators with endowed chairs, HHMI support, or comparable “hard money” salary support are not eligible.
  • MGH Research Scholar recipients from the classes of 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 are eligible to reapply.  In order to be considered for a second award, an MGH Research Scholar must demonstrate significant accomplishment for the prior period as a Scholar and must also demonstrate need for additional MGH Research Scholar support. Limited competing renewal spots are available to previous MGH Research Scholar recipients. A previous MGH Research Scholar recipient can receive the award for a maximum of two terms, which is the equivalent of 2 awards for a maximum of 10 years.

REVIEW PROCESS

The primary criteria for selection will include outstanding scientific accomplishments and innovative research vision, as well as expected impact of the MGH Research Scholar funding.   The final selection process may take into account:

  • Institutional priorities
  • Institutional diversity
  • Overall funding portfolio

We receive ~100 applications each year for the MGH Research Scholars program resulting in far more qualified applicants than we have awards; therefore, unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to consider reapplying.  

 

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must include the following: 

  1. Title of the Research Proposal
  2. Research Category. Choose one of the following three categories based on the research proposed in the application: Clinical research, Fundamental research or Population and health care research.
  3. Layman's Description of your work (200 words only)
  4. Research Proposal (3-page limit, excluding references). The applicant should address major scientific accomplishments and future goals, with emphasis on innovative ideas, as well as the proposed use of the  MGH Research Scholar funds. The section should include:
    • Summary of your research work
    • Expected impact of your research work
    • Future goals
    • Proposed use of the MGH Research Scholar award
    • Brief description of why you should be selected as an MGH Research Scholar
  5. Proposed Use of the MGH Research Scholar award. Include a budget justification.
  6. Selected Listing of Five (5) Noteworthy Publications, with a brief description (3-4 sentences) of significance for each publication.
  7. Biosketch of the Applicant in NIH Format (not a CV). Click here for a sample NIH biosketch.
  8. Other Support, a list of other current and pending support sources, with dollar amounts, in the NIH format.  If the applicant does not have other current or pending support sources, please indicate "none" when applicable.  Click here for a sample Other Support in the NIH format.
  9. Complete Publications List.

 

FORMAT GUIDELINES

  • Use margins of 0.5 inches or greater for the list of publications, biosketch and other support
  • Use 11pt font size or greater for the list of publications, biosketch and other support
  • Upload PDF documents only.  Limit characters to A-Z, a-z and 0-9 when naming PDF documents.  Do not use periods, commas or dashes in the file name.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are accepted online via the ECOR Online Grant Management Portal.  The system has been designed to allow users to:

  • Create a personal profile, which will auto-populate your future ECOR applications
  • Assign a delegate to submit applications on your behalf (optional)
  • View current calls and apply to open opportunities 
  • Save and edit current applications in progress
  • Submit completed applications
  • View all your ECOR applications that have been submitted via the Online Grants Management Portal.

Instructions for Applying Online:

  1. Create your account: Log in using your Partners credentials and fill-out the profile information.
  2. Complete the application: Once your profile is complete, you will automatically progress through the online application. If you cannot complete the application at one time, “save” the application and return to it at a later time to finish. Before submitting your application, you will have the ability to make changes to the application.
  3. Submit your application: Once you have completed the application click on the “submit” button at the bottom of the page. Once you submit it, you will not be able to make further changes unless you send a request to ECOR (note that once the deadline passes, requests to make changes will not be accepted).

Useful tips:

  • To avoid losing your work, remember to save frequently
  • You can only upload PDF documents
  • If you previously created a profile, please ensure your information is current prior to submitting an application.

  Click 'Apply' below to begin the application.

 

QUESTIONS

If you have any questions, please email ECOR.

To see a list of previous MGH Research Scholars, click here.