Bronchoscopy Research Grant

The Bronchoscopy Research Grant, offered by the Intuitive Foundation, aims to support clinical research focused on the impact of robotic-assisted bronchoscopy in patient care. Grants of up to $75,000 are available for non-profit institutions, emphasizing areas like clinical outcomes, imaging research, and health economics. Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent before full proposals are considered. This initiative encourages innovative research to improve diagnostic and treatment pathways for pulmonary diseases.

NOTE:
Letter of Inquiry - Applicants must first submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to Propose. Grant LOIs will be reviewed and ranked by a selection committee. LOIs reaching a predetermined scoring threshold will be invited to submit a full grant proposal.Full Proposal - Invite Only
Purpose
The Intuitive Foundation grant program is accepting applications for Clinical Research Grants related to the impact of robotic-assisted bronchoscopy on clinical care in for this year.
The purpose of these grants is to support clinical research at non-profit institutions worldwide focused on the effect of robotic-assisted bronchoscopy in the clinical care of patients with pulmonary disease. Successful proposals will study important questions related to the impacts robotic-assisted bronchoscopy on disease diagnosis and or management or patient outcomes.
Research Areas of Interest
The Intuitive Foundation has identified key research areas of interest for the clinical grant proposals. Principal Investigators are encouraged – although not required – to submit proposals that fall into one or more of the following areas:

• Clinical Outcomes-Based Research:

Research related to clinical outcomes for robotic-assisted bronchoscopy procedures including but not limited to comparative studies between robotics and alternate modalities or therapies.
Examples of the clinical impact of robotic assisted bronchoscopy include:Changing the time until diagnosis (imaging to pathology/treatment) vs traditional pathways.
The number of procedures needed for diagnosis and impact on patient risk and care.
Tissue acquisition and molecular marker identification.
The use of robotic-assisted bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of benign diseases of the lung.
Proposals related to improved procedural efficiency and/or diagnostic yield, and reduction in adverse event rates.
Imaging, Vision and/or Navigational Research:

• Research focused on enhanced use of advanced imaging modalities and effect on the performance of procedures.

Examples include, but are not limited to:Integration of advanced techniques, including but not limited to cone-beam CT scanning, radial endobronchial ultrasound, and fluoroscopic tomography in the guidance for improved diagnosis and safety of patients and staff.The application of various imaging modalities affecting planning for and performance of procedures.
Health Economic and Outcomes Research including Cost-effectiveness and Quality of Life Studies related to Robotic-assisted Bronchoscopy:
Research related to local services utilization, clinical and economic burden of the disease, cost of care, and research focused on quality of life or utilities related to care.
Examples include:Patient care pathway or epidemiological studies on clinical and economic burden of illness.
Economic impact of early vs. late disease diagnosis on healthcare systems.
Patient/clinician-reported outcomes, quality of life, health utilities.
Cost-effectiveness modeling incorporated local services utilization and costs from local data sources (not from the literature).
Ergonomic effects of longtime traditional bronchoscopic techniques vs. robotic-assisted bronchoscopy.
The Intuitive Foundation strongly recommends that research within this category include a health economist as a part of the research team. Please identify this individual in the capabilities section of the grant submission.
New Procedure Exploration and Development Research:
Research focused on the use of robotic-assisted bronchoscopy in conjunction with emerging technologies leading to improved safety or outcomes of patients with pulmonary disease. Please note that research conducted on human subjects may require applicable authorizations or favorable opinions from any relevant authorities, such as governmental and medical institution authorities, prior to funding.
Funding
Applicants may apply for grant funding with total costs up to $75,000 (US) per project.
Grant funds can be used to support salaries for statisticians, lab technicians, fellows, research coordinators, and other support personnel. Funds can cover equipment, supplies, and/or travel required to support the proposed research project for a period of up to one year. No more than 20% of the total budget can be allocated for indirect costs. Hard equipment purchases should not exceed $5,000.

Eligibility

Multiple grants to the same institution for different principal investigators will be considered.Awards must be used to fund research at not-for-profit institutions.Grants are awarded to principal investigators at their institution. If there are any changes in the principal investigator or group’s ability to conduct the proposed research, the Intuitive Foundation reserves the right to reconsider the award.Grantees may be invited to present their work at our headquarters in Sunnyvale, California.

Ineligibility

Multiple grants will not be funded simultaneously to any principal investigator. Grants are not to be used to fund for-profit activities.Funding may not be used to support physician salaries.Funds from the grant may not be used to purchase equipment or instruments from Intuitive Surgical.