Research!America Civic Engagement Microgrants
Applications Open for Civic Engagement Microgrants
Research!America is excited to announce that applications are open for the 2022-2023 Civic Engagement Microgrant Initiative. With awards of up to $4,000, early career science-led groups from across the United States will receive funding to support engagement with public officials, local community leaders, and the public around issues of common concern.
Applications are open through August 31 – learn more about the program and apply today!
Now in its fifth year, the Microgrant program provides early career scientists with hands-on opportunities to develop skills in communication and program planning and a working knowledge of policy and government to become articulate spokespersons for science and research to public officials and members of their local communities. This initiative is supported by the Rita Allen Foundation, which invests in collaborative efforts to advance inclusive engagement between science, communities, and civic life to address challenging problems.
“Civic engagement is a critical skill set for every scientist, and it’s not a one-way street. It’s vital for scientists to step into the community and open a dialogue that features active listening,” said Mary Woolley, president CEO of Research!America. “One of the best ways to achieve public appreciation for science and innovation is to support the next generation of scientists in their communications and community engagement efforts.”
“We are especially grateful to the Rita Allen Foundation for its continued support — a recent award from Rita Allen will allow us to extend the Microgrant program through 2024. We’re excited to see the innovative ideas the micrograntees will develop over the next two years.”
Americans think it is important for scientists to inform elected officials (87%) and the public (80%) about their research and its impact on society, according to a 2022 survey commissioned by Research!America. The Microgrant program helps empower early career scientists to live up to these expectations.
“As our communities confront an array of urgent challenges, it is deeply encouraging to see the energy of a new generation of scientists interested in building civic relationships to be part of solutions for a more hopeful future,” said Elizabeth Good Christopherson, President and CEO of the Rita Allen Foundation. “Our partnership with Research!America is helping to channel that energy into new capacity and innovation to address today’s complex issues in science and society — a mission that is more critical than ever.”
This past year, the Civic Engagement Microgrant Program supported 20 high-impact in-person and virtual projects using methods including roundtable discussions, webinars, podcasting, and data visualization. Some projects included: a two-day hybrid symposium hosted by the science policy groups at UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco, focusing on issues related to science policy and ethics; a podcast hosted by the Science Policy Outreach Taskforce (SPOT) at Northwestern University, which discusses how science can be used in policymaking; and the creation of a new science policy group in Oklahoma which is working to develop connections between scientists and members of their local community. Learn about all 2021-2022 Microgrant recipients.
2022 ISPN Meeting
The 48th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery (ISPN), which was to take place in Singapore in October 2020, has had to be postponed – twice -due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected all of us. We are finally pleased to inform you that the meeting will now take place in Singapore from 6-10 December 2022, and on behalf of the ISPN and the Local Organizing Committee, it is my great pleasure to invite you to Singapore for the meeting.
The annual scientific meeting of the ISPN is the venue for the exchange of scientific and medical information among pediatric neurosurgeons and research scientists for advancing the care of children with neurosurgical diseases and disorders. There will be many great opportunities for the sharing of the state-of-art advances and rapidly-advancing modern day management of neurosurgical illnesses in children. And very importantly after the travel restrictions imposed by the pandemic, we will finally have the chance to meet face to face, reunite with friends, and sit down together for drinks and great food and share stories!
Abstract submission deadline: June 13, 2022
New NINDS NOSIs for Hydrocephalus Research Published!
We wanted to make you aware of two new Notices of Special Interest recently published by NINDS for hydrocephalus research with some changes from the previous Program Announcement. Both opportunities now allow for mechanistic clinical trials.
- NOT-NS-23-003: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-NS-23-003.html
- Now allows for R01s in addition to R21s
- NOT-NS-23-004: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-NS-23-004.html
This is exciting news for hydrocephalus research! Good luck to all on grant submissions!
HA’s National Conference on Hydrocephalus (HA Connect 2022) will take place in Austin, TX, from July 14th-16th. We believe our Texas venue can be our largest yet, so please help us get the word out!
Reminder: We welcome researchers to attend.
Topic highlights:
- The PI kickoff for the AHCRN Placebo-Controlled Effectiveness in INPH Shunting (PENS) Trial and an NPH patient-PI town hall.
- 12 scientific research sessions – please see this flyer for information.
- We are excited to have NASA panelists this year speaking about studying Hydrocephalus and ICP in space, and what can be gleaned from these studies!
- We also will have a poster session showcasing the work of 10 young investigators who are joining the hydrocephalus research community.
Find more programmatic information and register here!
Medical professional HANDS members, please spread the word about this conference to your colleagues and patients.
We have drafted an editable letter in both English and Spanish that we are asking you to send to your patients via mail or email to let them know about the conference. The letter can be found here. We also have an Outreach Toolkit with social media graphics and a downloadable flyer that can be hung or distributed. Finally, we have conference postcards that can be placed in clinics for patients – if you would like a package of these please email me (noriana@hydroassoc.org).
If you could kindly also forward this post and the patient outreach letter to everyone who interfaces with patients in your practice so they can also help us reach the community, that would be immensely appreciated.
Job Opening: HA National Director of Research
National Director, Research
Full-time, Remote Position (U.S.)
Position
The Hydrocephalus Association (HA) is seeking a National Director of Research who will lead a fast paced, broad spectrum research department, and emerging research program focused on the various etiologies and diverse needs related to hydrocephalus care and treatment. HA’s research program spans basic, translational and clinical research, and our strategy has resulted in significant results with $13M invested in the program since its founding in 2009, and funded scientists and clinical networks going on to secure federal grants resulting in a return on investment of more than $50M. The National Director of Research will collaborate with a range of stakeholders to execute a research strategy driving the program to fulfill HA’s strategic vision and goals. The National Director of Research reports to the President and CEO.
Hydrocephalus Association
The Hydrocephalus Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to eliminating the challenges of hydrocephalus by promoting and funding research, and through comprehensive support, education and advocacy programs supporting patients and families who are affected by this condition. Founded in 1983 by parents, HA today is the nation’s largest and most respected organization dedicated to hydrocephalus. HA has been instrumental in creating a community of individuals, families, health care professionals and scientists addressing the complexities of hydrocephalus in all age groups. HA is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland.
The Hydrocephalus Association’s mission is to find a cure for hydrocephalus and to improve the lives of those impacted by this condition. The Association seeks to accomplish its mission by collaborating with patients, families, caregivers, researchers and industry, raising awareness and funding innovative, high-impact research to prevent, treat and ultimately cure hydrocephalus. HA’s vision is a future without hydrocephalus.
The Hydrocephalus Association offers a very competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, and life insurance coverage, a 403(b) plan, paid vacation, and more!
The full job description can be found here. Qualified candidates should submit a resume or curriculum vitae with a cover letter via email to hr@hydroassoc.org by February 28, 2022. Email subject must contain the words, “National Director, Research.”
2021 HANDS Animal Model Webinar Series
The Hydrocephalus Association would like to invite you to the 2021 HANDS Webinar Series focused on new animal models being used in research.
2022 Clinical Scientist Development Award: Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Announcement
The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
2022 Clinical Scientist Development Award competition is now open
Pre-proposal applications are being sought from Assistant Professor physician scientists conducting clinical research in any disease area. Click here to find out more about the eligibility criteria and how to prepare an application.
The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation recognizes that a diverse workforce that represents the demographics of the population of the United States is better poised to address health issues affecting all communities. DDCF strongly encourages individuals from groups underrepresented in biomedical research to apply because DDCF is committed to the retention and advancement of early-career physician scientists who are conducting seminal clinical research and who belong to populations whose exclusion from research based on their race, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background has resulted in underrepresentation in the workforce.
Application Deadlines
Eligibility exemption requests due: October 15, 2021, 5pm ET
Pre-proposal applications due: November 12, 2021, 3 pm ET
Invitation to submit full proposal: By 5 pm ET on January 14, 2022
Full proposals due: March 11, 2022, 3 pm ET
Award start date: July 1, 2022
The Clinical Scientist Development Award does not require institutional nomination. This competition employs a two-stage process. Pre-proposal applications will be reviewed and approximately 50 applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal.
In keeping with the wishes expressed in Doris Duke’s will, experiments that use animals or tissues derived from animals, including cell lines, will not be supported by this program.
Hydrocephalus 2021: Meet the Speakers
Meet the prestigious speakers invited to present at the 13th Annual Meeting of the Hydrocephalus Society!
IF Multidisciplinary Care Conference
The conference is aimed at IF Members, partners, healthcare professionals, policy makers, early career researchers, and anyone who wants to learn more on the topic of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus and multidisciplinary care.