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SPR PROSPER Awards

Submission Timeline: August 15 - September 30

Frequently Asked Questions

 

WHO CAN APPLY?

  • Applicants who self-identify as under-represented in medicine background(s) and individuals from groups identified by NIH as under-represented in biomedical, clinical, behavioral and social sciences, including Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and women as well as individuals with disabilities or other life experiences that contribute to diversity.
  • Accepted to and/or enrolled in a fellowship, with preference given to SPR Emerging to Established (E2E) Section members or have applied for SPR E2E membership.
  • There are no restrictions on the applicant's citizenship.
  • Applicants from US and/or Canadian institutions can apply.
  • Applicants must be able to complete a one-year research project, which can occur at any time during fellowship (i.e. flexibility exists as to what year of fellowship the project starts). 
  • NIH Biosketch - NIH Biosketch template.
  • Blinded version should contain no references to identifiable information, such as the applicant’s name, gender, race/ethnicity, institutional affiliation, mentor’s name, etc. If the disclosure of identifiable information is unavoidable, please take appropriate steps to disguise that information. For instance, instead of Dr. Smith use Dr. XX.
  • For Blinded publications within the Blinded biosketch, the applicant can retain the details of the article (title, location, etc.) and names of anyone who is neither the applicant nor the mentor.
  • The unblinded version can contain any identifiable information, and should be written in the third person.

MENTORS

  • An external mentor refers to a mentor outside the applicant's institution.
  • For external mentors, applicants should identify people they would like to be mentors. It is helpful if the suggested mentors are members of the SPR, however it is not a requirement. The SPR office will cross-reference the suggested mentors with the SPR membership.
  • Applicants do not need to contact/confirm the future external mentors before adding them to their list.

BUDGET

  • There is no requirement for a budget at time of submission.
  • If a budget is submitted, the budget should NOT include overhead (indirect costs), salary for the PI or Primary Mentor, or equipment for long term use (i.e. computers, tablets, printers, etc.). Examples of allowable expenses include travel, supplies, biostatistical support, database fees - resources for the work proposed.

FUNDING

  • The applicant's sponsoring department chair for the institution will need to sign an agreement that states they will match the SPR award of $5,000, and contribute the total amount to salary and/or research program support of the recipient.
  • The $10,000 award is intended to be used as operating funds for the proposed one-year project.
  • The $5,000 stipend match from the institution is expected to be used for the proposed research project. Examples of allowable expenses include travel, supplies, biostatistical support, database fees - resources for the work proposed.
  • Funding cannot be used for salary.
  • Funding would start in July 2026.

    AWARD

    • One to two awards will be given out annually.