The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) announces a Young Investigator Research Forum to be held in April 2009. The Forum is designed to aid the career development and shape the career plans of promising young investigators in clinical and translational sleep research. Successful applicants will be selected based on research productivity and promise, and career goals. Travel and lodging expenses will be paid up to a maximum of $1,200 dollars per selected attendee. 

PURPOSE:
There is a projected future shortage of clinical sleep researchers, and research funding is difficult to obtain. This weekend retreat is aimed at providing guidance, tactics and strategies to help improve the chances of achieving a successful career in clinical sleep research. The aims are:

  1. To foster the pursuit of clinical research in sleep medicine by junior faculty and fellows training in sleep medicine.
  2. To disseminate vital information required for pursuing a career in research
  3. To serve as a primer for designing research studies, presenting research findings, and scientific writing.
  4. An opportunity to network and establish extramural research mentorship.
APPLICATION DUE DATE: October 1, 2008
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 20
RESEARCH FORUM DATES AND LOCATION: 1 ½ Day Weekend Meeting in April, 2009 (dates and location to be determined)
APPLICATION FORMAT: 1. BIOSKETCH – NIH Format
2. Research Abstract – SLEEP Format
3. Letter Stating Career Goals – 1 Page
APPLICATION SUBMISSION: Email all application materials to: bshearer@aasm.org
CONTACT PERSON FOR INQUIRIES: Brian Shearer , PhD
Tel. 708 492-0930
Fax 708 492-0943
E-mail: bshearer@aasm.org

APPLICATION PROCESS:
The Forum is open to young investigators (clinical fellows, postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty) who are actively engaged and planning to continue a career in clinical or translational sleep research. Applicants must have an advanced degree (MD, DO, PhD or equivalent) and be a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Applications must be received no later than October 1, 2008.

Applications must be sent electronically to bshearer@aasm.org. Applications must include a one or two page Biosketch using NIH style, a one-page research abstract in SLEEP format and a one page letter outlining the applicant’s goals for a career in clinical sleep research. Applications will be reviewed and 20 applicants selected for the forum by a panel including members of the AASM Research Committee.

Applicants will be informed of the decision of the panel by December 1, 2008.

The Forum will provide an opportunity for collegial interaction with senior faculty members having successful careers across the broad spectrum of clinical and translational sleep research. The ratio of faculty to students will be approximately one to three. The Forum will consist of didactic presentations, workshops and small group sessions, covering study design, grantsmanship, a mock grant review, manuscript preparation and review and the mentor-mentee relationship. The Young Investigator attendees will also make a presentation of their research.