ASRM Research Grant: Investigation of Undiagnosed Infertility

ASRM Research Grant: Investigation of Undiagnosed Infertility

(Supported by an anonymous philanthropic gift)

CLICK HERE FOR MANDATORY PROPOSAL CHECKLIST

PURPOSE

The ASRM Research Institute: Investigation of Undiagnosed Infertility Grant application cycle opens on March 1, 2024. The purpose of this award is to support mid-career researchers by providing grants that allow for preliminary studies in new areas of research conducted by the investigator. Projects can involve physiological, psychological, biochemical, pharmacological, genetic, environmental, clinical, sociocultural, or pathological investigations. Funds may be used for support of a new or ongoing research or clinical investigation project.

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY

Physicians or scientists with track records in basic, clinical, or translational research in reproductive medicine are encouraged to apply. Eligible applicants include:

  • Investigators should have a doctorate degree (MD, MD/PhD, PhD, DO, ScD or equivalent) and have sufficient expertise, commitment of effort, organizational structure, and operational effectiveness to successfully implement the plan for the proposed research. (Clinical and research students, residents, fellows, and postdoctoral trainees are not eligible as the PI.)
  • Be an independent investigator serving as a full-time clinician/physician-scientist (academic, private practice, other non-profit or for-profit organizations).
  • Applicants should have completed their research and/or clinical training for at least three years prior to submitting the application and actively working in the areas related to reproductive medicine.

Applicants need not be ASRM members at the time of the application but will be required to become members prior to the initiation and throughout the duration of funding. Awardees must maintain an active membership until the project is completed and has been presented at an ASRM annual Scientific Congress.

AWARD

An award up to $50,000 will be made for a TWO (2) year study period.

APPLICATION

An application must include the following information in order as described below. Additionally, all letters must be included in your application package and cannot be sent separately or post application deadline. Please note: Letters outside the required department head or program chair letters are not required, but you may submit up to 2 additional letters of support should you choose.

  1. Title page
    1. Title of the project (not to exceed 200 characters including spaces)
    2. Applicant’s name and credentials
    3. Applicant’s department affiliation and sponsoring institution information
    4. Applicant's contact information to include mailing address, telephone number, and email
    5. Total funding amount requested
  2. Letters
    1. Applicant letter stating career goals and plans for achieving these goals, including a lay statement of 2-3 sentences describing the relevance of the proposed research
    2. Chairman letter (no more than two pages) acknowledging the applicant’s project and grant proposal, endorsing the applicant’s research, and confirming the institution’s commitment to provide time and support to the applicant
  3.  Abstract (One page maximum)
    1. Scientific Abstract (500 words) describing the research proposal including the potential immediate impact of the anticipated results on the practice of reproductive medicine
    2. Lay-person Abstract (200 words) describing the project in general terms
  4. Specific Aims of the research proposal presented in NIH format– (One page maximum)
  5. A research proposal should include the following sections (no more than three pages)
    1. Background and Significance
    2. Resources and Environment (can be attached as appendix)
    3. Research Plan (methodology and statistical analysis plan must be clearly described)
    4. Timeline for project start up, implementation, and completion
    5. Innovation and Potential Impact
    6. References/citations are required but will not count against the total number of pages for the application. You may also include them as an appendix.
  6. NIH-style Biosketch
    1. A biosketch for each primary or co-investigator should be provided. Each Biosketch should include a specific description of the role of each investigator in the proposed project and should not exceed FIVE pages (including the current funding)
  7. Budget
    1. A detailed yearly and cumulative budget and budget justification for the project
    2. No clinical care costs will be covered by this funding opportunity
    3. Funds are available for project expenses, technical assistance, patient expenses, research supplies and durable laboratory equipment, analysis software, national registries, survey licenses, etc.
    4. Funds may not be used towards degree seeking courses
    5. Indirect costs to the sponsoring institution, conference travel and/or registration expenses, investigator’s salary and/or benefits are allowed but must not exceed 10% of the grant distribution
  8. Formatting & Due Date
    1. The proposal must be typed in Calibri 12 pt. type with page margins no less than .5 inches and no more than 1 inch
    2. Pagination should be included at the bottom of each page (excluding the Title page)
    3. The entire application must be submitted as ONE PDF FILE to research@asrm.org Subject Line: ASRM Research Grant: Investigation of Undiagnosed Infertility Application by 4pm EST on May 1, 2024.
  9. Regulatory Requirements
    1. Human and/or animal use must be approved by the Institutional Review Board or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, or their equivalent and documented before funds are released, but pre-approval is not required for application.
    2. It is required that any research involving human embryos will comply with applicable federal and state laws and will be in line with the ASRM’s guidance document on the ethics of human embryo research. No research will proceed without all relevant Institutional Board(s) and Committee(s) reviews and approval.

SELECTION PROCESS

ASRM Research Institute Grant Review Groups (GRGs) will review the proposals and awardees determined. To avoid a potential conflict of interest, members of the GRGs will recuse themselves from reviewing any proposal that involves their institutions of employment. Award notifications will be made in June 2024.

REPORTING

Annual progress and financial reports are required and should be sent to research@asrm.org. ASRM Research Institute will review and provide a confirmation of progress report acceptance via email. Continued funding will depend on demonstrated progress and productivity, as well as compliance with progress report timelines and any regulatory requirements. A final progress and financial report is required and should be submitted to ASRM within 90 days of project completion.