Research Investigator Fellowship Award

Research topics may vary from basic cellular responses to clinical outcomes. Proposing translational research and clinical application is encouraged. Proposed research must have intrinsic importance, but may also contain a component for permitting the applicant to learn the methodology, theory, and conceptualizations necessary for project development.

The award will be $20,000 over on year, with $2,000 dedicated to travel to the Shock Society Annual Meetings for two years. 95% of the $20,000 will be granted for the first year of research, and 5% will be granted upon completion with presentation of results orally at the US Shock Society Annual Meeting.

• A member of the US Shock Society or International Shock Society who will perform the proposed research at an institution within the United States.
• Obtain a doctoral degree or its equivalent, such as but not limited to M.D., Ph.D., DDS, DMD, D.O., DC, OD, DVM, or PharmD.
• If the candidate is a post-doctoral investigator (who obtained a Ph.D. degree), the individual needs to be within 4 years of being hired at his/her institution.
• If the candidate is a resident/clinical fellow (who obtains an M.D. or equivalent degree). the individual must still be in his/her residency or fellowship program at the time of submission.
• The application must have a letter from their chair stating that they will have at least 75% research time without clinical activity.
• Identifying a research mentor who is an established investigator is desirable.
• The awardee is required to present at the Shock Society Meeting for the two years subsequent to receiving the award.
• The awardee will have a one-year tenure on the Awards and Honors Committee.

The application must use 11 or 12 point font (Time, Times New Roman, or Arial). Margins consistent with NIH application continuation pages are appropriate. The application must include sections 1 through 12 below.

1. Cover letter
   
   Include a statement of meeting the eligibility requirements, title of the project, names of the research mentor and recommender, and commitment to present at the Shock Society Annual Meeting.
2. Candidate Statement (1 Page)
   
   Include a demonstration of research interest and/or experience in the area of the pathophysiology of trauma, hemorrhage, shock, and sepsis. Research approaches may vary from basic cellular responses to clinical outcomes, including translational research and clinical application. Describe the commitment to a career in research related to trauma and shock, and establish the potential to develop into an independent investigator.
3. Curriculum Vitae
   
   Include pertinent educational and professional experience, and lists of awards and honors, abstract presentations, and publications.
4. Research Plan (3 Pages)
   
   Describe the research plan and the use of basic or clinical science approach towards furthering knowledge in the areas of trauma, shock, and/or sepsis. Include the following:

   • Specific Aim(s)
   • Background and Significance
   • Preliminary Studies (if available)
   • Research Design and Models
   • References

   Provide complete citations, including all authors and titles. The reference page is not counted towards the page limit.
5. Environment (1/4 Page)
   
   Describe the research environment, including the applicant's research space, available equipment, and secretarial support.
6. Budget (1/4 Page)
   
   Describe how the budget will be allocated for salary, supplies, equipment, and travel. Salary support is allowed for technical assistance but not for the applicant's or the mentor's salary. Time commitment should be commensurate with salary status. Costs to support graduate students or their stipends are not allowed. Costs for secretarial services and administrative services (indirect costs) are not allowed. All costs must be directly related to the proposed research. Travel associated with research training is also permitted. $1,000 of the award (each year for two years) should be included for traveling to the Shock Society Annual Meeting.
7. Training In the Responsible Conduct of Research
   
   Describe plans to receive instruction on how to conduct research responsibly. These plans must detail the proposed subject matter, format, frequency, and duration of instruction. No award will be made if an application lacks this component.
8. Women, Minorities, and Children In Research Involving Human Subjects
   
   Describe the use of human subjects, which must be compatible with NIH guidelines. Appropriate institutional approval must be obtained prior to award.
9. Vertebrate Animals
   
   Describe the use of vertebrate animals, which must be compatible with NIH guidelines. Appropriate institutional approval must be obtained prior to the award.
10. Biohazards
    
    Appropriate institutional approval must be obtained prior to the award.
11. Environment and Institutional Commitment
    
    The sponsoring institution must provide a statement to document the level of commitment to the candidate's development into a productive, independent investigator. This must include an indication of support for candidate's proposed level of effort related to this award, commitment to release time, as well as the availability of support during the award period. These resources may be provided by the mentor, the institution, or both.
12. Letters of Recommendation
    
    Two letters of recommendation addressing the candidate's potential for a research career must be included as part of the application. If appropriate, one letter must be from the designated mentor, along with the mentor's bio sketch, submitted in the 5-page NIH format that includes currently funded research. The mentor's letter should include information to describe the candidate's research plan and the nature of the supervision that will occur during the proposed award period.

Submission: The package should be sent (preferred as a single PDF file) to [email protected]

Subject: Research Investigator Fellowship, no later than March 6, 2026.

The award will be presented at the 49th Annual Conference on Shock & 11th Congress of the International Federation of Shock Societies, May 31 - June 3, 2026, in Las Vegas, NV.