Dravet Syndrome Foundation: Clinician Researcher Awards Grant

The Dravet Syndrome Foundation offers Clinician Researcher Awards to support early-career clinicians engaged in hypothesis-driven clinical research projects aimed at advancing understanding, treatment, and management of Dravet syndrome. With $75,000 in funding, awardees must commit a minimum of 25% physician effort and submit scientific reports post-project. Eligible applicants include MDs, DOs, and medical residents with a research mentor. The initiative fosters innovative research while ensuring patient-oriented approaches are prioritized.

Clinician-Researcher Awards support hypothesis-driven clinical research projects that have significant potential to advance our understanding of Dravet syndrome; slow or halt the progression of the disease, characteristics, or comorbidities of the disease; and/or reduce mortality. The projects must be patient-oriented, with the investigator directly interacting with human subjects/patients. This includes studies such as therapeutic interventions or support/extension of existing clinical trials.
The clinician-researcher award is meant to aid early-career clinicians in gaining experience in clinical research studies of Dravet syndrome (established clinicians without research experience are also eligible). Applicants are required to identify a clinical research mentor to assist in guiding the studies for the duration of the award.
Award Details
Award funds of $75,000 for one year are made to the affiliated institution in two payments, the second of which is dependent on IRB approval if not required for the first portion of the funding period. Awardees are expected to have a minimum of 25% physician effort, which can be supported (salary and benefits) by this award. Funds may also be used to support a clinical trial specialist’s efforts or similar research support costs. Up to $1000 may be set aside to present findings at a national meeting. No indirect costs are permitted under the Clinician-Researcher Award category. Submission of scientific and financial reports are due no later than 30 days after completion of the project, and awardees are expected to present at a future DSF Research Roundtable.

Eligibility

MD, DO, or equivalentActive U.S. medical licenseEligible applicants include full-time medical residents, fellows, early-career clinicians, or established clinicians lacking research experience who are affiliated with an academic or research institution on or before the start date of the award.Applicant should have a direct research mentor with experience in the proposed area of researchU.S. citizenship is not required.

Ineligibility

Awards are not given to private companies.Principal Investigators on NIH grants exceeding $225,000 and recipients of other fellowships are not eligible.