The research proposed for support by the M. Irené Ferrer Scholar Award must include gender as a specific variable in the protocol. Both Investigators already conducting gender-specific research or research that addresses gender-specific issues and those entering the field are encouraged to apply. Applicants must include preliminary or supporting data related to the gender-specific issues of their proposal and must describe how the funding, if awarded, would permit them to obtain preliminary data that would lead to federal funding for a research (R) grant. One award, of $60,000 is available annually, directed towards junior faculty holding a full-time Assistant Professor appointment in the Department of Medicine. Recipients of NIH career development (K) awards or other junior investigator funding are eligible.
All areas of investigation are eligible: basic, translational, clinical, epidemiological, or outcomes research. Those grant proposals in the area of clinical or epidemiological research should include appropriate numbers of both sexes. Some areas of particular interest include the impact of biological sex on gene expression; the mechanisms of the impact of experience/environment on male-female phenotype differences; and studies involving synthetic biology - i.e., applying concepts of engineering to biological systems through medicinal chemistry, genetic engineering, and other bioengineering approaches. The deadline for submission February 2018. A committee of senior faculty in the Department of Medicine will review the applications. The recipient will be announced in April 2018 and the awards ceremony will occur at the Foundation Gala in May 2018 in New York City.
The application, as described below, should be sent by e-mail as one attached file (in pdf format) to Dr. Jaime S. Rubin, Vice Chair for Investigator Development, Department of Medicine. Please include "Ferrer Scholar Award" in the Subject line of your e-mail.
- Cover page with applicant's (A) Name; (B) Title; (C) Division in the Dept. of Medicine; (D) Contact information [e-mail and telephone number]; and (E) Title of proposed research project.
- Research proposal (3-pages maximum, including figures; literature cited on following page). Proposal should follow the NIH format: (A) Specific Aims, (B) Significance, (C) Innovation, and (D) Approach and must include a discussion of the statistical approach and analyses. Preliminary Studies/Pilot Data are not a requirement
- NIH biosketch (“new” format, 5-pages maximum)
- Listing of all peer-reviewed publications
Please contact Dr. Rubin, jsr9@columbia.edu, 342-3184, if there are any questions.