SRU Foundation Seed Grant (Early Career Seed Grant)

SRU Foundation Seed Grant

Purpose: The SRU Foundation Seed Grant is intended to assist investigators in defining objectives and testing hypotheses before applying for major grants from corporations, foundations, or government agencies.

Award Amount: Two-year grant of $10,000 or less to support a specific ultrasound research project. No salary support will be provided. No indirect costs are supported from this grant mechanism.

Geographic Scope: Open to investigators worldwide; applicant must be an SRU member.

Focus Areas: Ultrasound research. The SRU executive committee may include in the call for submissions a list of priority topics to receive preference in grant funding.

Eligibility Requirements

• Membership: Applicant must be an SRU member and maintain that membership through the life of the research grant
• Career Stage: Early career applicants (within 10 years of training) will receive special consideration
• Position: Applicant must hold a 60% or greater time faculty position in an educational institution at the time the award commences
• Training: Applicant must be in a department of diagnostic radiology and have completed all advanced training
• Discipline: Open to all investigators (radiologists, scientists)

Note: These setting requirements are to be considered a general guideline. Unique academic and research situations that fall outside these guidelines may be acceptable—contact the SRU research committee chair to inquire.

What the Grant Does NOT Fund

• Salary support
• Indirect costs or overhead
• Travel expenses for the SRU Annual Meeting

Selection Criteria

A review panel consisting of SRU research committee members and others with expertise in the areas and topics of each grant will review applications for scientific merit and appropriateness for funding. Final decisions are subject to approval of the SRU executive committee.

Considerations may include:

Alignment with announced research priorities (in years when priorities are announced)

Primary involvement of clinical ultrasound research

Quality of scientific reasoning and methodology

Adequacy of projected clinical cohort size for patient enrollment

Access to research coordinator and statistical services

Potential impact on diagnosis/treatment of disease, morbidity/mortality, resource utilization, patient safety, and education

Whether proposal represents expansion of existing work or new study

Award Administration

Payment Schedule:

Within 4 months of award, applicant communicates with society on IRB status and project setup

Initial payment covers 75% of total award

Second check covering remaining 25% sent upon receipt of first interim report (due one year from project start)

Re-budgeting: Changes to funding allocations over $1,000 require approval by SRU Research Committee. Unexpended funds must be returned to SRU.

Reporting Requirements

Interim Report (Due 1 year after award start):

Restate specific aims/goals and show results toward each aim

Include all supporting data

Indicate any deviations from original research plan and explain changes

Indicate expenditures to date and their relation to project

Indicate any problems or delays encountered

Final Report (Due 60 days after award end date):

General description of results and publication status

How results will be used as preliminary data for other grant applications

Clinical significance and future clinical impact

Assessment of strengths and weaknesses of SRU Foundation grant program

Explanation if unable to meet stated project goals

Publication/Presentation Requirements:

Scientific manuscripts must be submitted for presentation and/or publication

PI should consider SRU Annual Meeting and Ultrasound Quarterly as venues

PI must submit work to SRU Research Committee's call for scientific abstracts from early career members for Annual Meeting

All posters, publications, and oral presentations must acknowledge Foundation's support

Grant recipient from 2 years prior expected to present results at SRU Annual Meeting

Term and Extensions

• Grant Term: Two years
• No-Cost Extension: Up to 12-month extension may be requested before original grant expiration; requires written request with progress report to Chair of the Board, signed by department chair; no additional funds awarded
• Delayed Projects: Interim reports must be submitted every six months if project is delayed
• Other Modifications: Requests for changes should be addressed to SRU research committee chair with similar documentation and institutional approvals

Modification or Termination

The SRU research committee reserves the right to modify or terminate the amount of any funds granted if the awardee receives support from other sources that might limit their ability to complete the award terms or obviate their need for Foundation funding.

Contact Information:
Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound (SRU)
5620 W Sligh Ave
Tampa, FL 33634
Email: info@sru.org
Phone: (813) 806-1041