SAEMF: Emerging Infectious Disease and Preparedness Grant

The SAEMF Emerging Infectious Disease and Preparedness Grant offers up to $100,000 for innovative research addressing urgent infectious diseases like influenza and COVID-19. It encourages projects that enhance emergency care through diagnostics, therapeutics, and preparedness. Suitable for both mentored and independent researchers, applicants must be SAEM members with relevant educational qualifications. The funding aims to foster impactful research, improve emergency patient care, and support the next generation of emergency medicine leaders.

Purpose of the Award
The Emerging Infectious Disease and Preparedness Grant provides up to $100,000 over a one-year period starting the specified date to support emergency care research related to emerging infectious disease, such as influenza, COVID-19, and other bacterial or viral infections. This award is not limited to specific conditions and may study an infectious disease at any point in its epidemiologic trajectory. This award seeks to support an ambitious program of acute care science in emerging infectious disease that may include:

• DiagnosticsPatient and provider safetyIntervention/therapeuticsDisaster preparednessOther relevant topic areas

In addition to existing basic, translational, and clinical research methods, projects leveraging innovative methodological designs, such as implementation trials, computational methods and data science are encouraged. While the focus is on self-limited research projects that are impactful in the current or future practice of emergency medicine and can be completed in a one-year time frame, the funds apportioned for this award are provided with the hope for investigators to propose an ambitious program of research that can lead to a sustained program of externally supported funded research.
The goals of the grant align with the mission of the SAEMF to improve emergency patient care through supporting the development of innovative researchers, expert educators and future academic emergency medicine leaders.
Applicants for this award are expected to be at different stages of research career development. Applicants may apply as a (1) mentored research scientist or as an (2) independent research scientist. The involvement and availability of mentorship and collaboration appropriate for the applicant’s career stage will be one of the criteria considered by the review committee.
Mentored Research Scientist - Applicants applying as mentored researchers should adhere to the mentor eligibility criteria described in the Eligibility Criteria for SAEMF Grants. For mentored applicants, the review committee will consider whether the mentorship plan is appropriate for the candidate’s career stage, the prior relationship with the mentor, and whether the candidate will be prepared for independent funding after the conclusion of the mentorship plan.Independent Research Scientist - Applicants applying as independent research scientists must have a track record of high-quality publications or prior funding that demonstrate a career stage appropriate for independent funding. Applicants need not have an identified primary mentor, though evidence of collaboration with senior investigators in the design and conduct of the research plan will be looked upon favorably. For independent research scientists, the review committee will consider whether the investigator and research team, after the conduct of the proposed study, will be able to submit a compelling application for independent federal funding.
Multiple Principal Investigator (PI) applications are accepted for this award.

Eligibility

An applicant for the SAEMF Emerging Infectious Disease and Preparedness Grant must:Be a member of SAEM in good standing at application deadline and during the entire award period.
Have an advanced/doctoral or terminal educational degree (e.g., MD, DO, PhD, PharmD, DSc or equivalent).Hold a university appointment in or be actively involved (e.g., have an adjunct appointment) with a department or division of emergency medicine or pediatric emergency medicine at the start of award period. Emergency medicine residents in their final year of residency may apply, subject to the same stipulation of holding a university appointment at the start of the award period. The applicant may work as a clinician at an institution other than the host institution or the institution at which the project will be conducted.Not have received a similar grant for the same purpose as the SAEMF proposal (no overlapping funds).The awardee is expected to attend the SAEM Annual Meeting during the award year.The applicant’s host department:Must be a department or division (or equivalent) of emergency medicine within or outside of the United States.
Should be actively involved in emergency medicine or pediatric emergency medicine research and education.
Should have an established research program as exemplified by:faculty/staff with extra- and/or intramural competitive grant funding;current Institutional Review Board (IRB, or equivalent) approved clinical, education, health services, or laboratory research in progress;faculty/staff who have presented their research at national or international meetings;faculty/staff publications in peer-reviewed research journals;a formal research curriculum; anddedicated funds, space, and support personnel available to ensure completion of projects in which the applicant will participate.
Must provide financial support for SAEM annual meeting attendance for the duration of the award. Up to $1,000 in grant funds may be used for expenses related to attending the SAEM Annual Meeting during the award year(s).     The applicant’s host institution must:Provide adequate administrative and clerical support to the recipient, including, but not limited to, office space, administrative support, and information systems.
Demonstrate a track record of involvement and commitment to research and training at local, state, and national levels. In the majority and ideal circumstances, the host institution should have an accredited emergency medicine residency program.
Demonstrate the availability of faculty, resident and/or medical student teaching opportunities relevant to the project and applicant’s needs for the project, when applicable (e.g.,. Education Project Grant, Education Research Training Grant, Simulation Academy Novice Research Grant, AEUS Research Grant).
You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member.