Student Research Fellowship

Abstracts of Student Research projects, 2011 and 2010

Recipients of 2010 Student Research Fellowships

Recipients of 2011 Student Research Fellowships

2012 Carolyn L. Kuckein Student Research Fellowship

The Opportunity
Research support for a continual period of a minimum of 8 to 10 weeks, 30 hours or more per week, or an average of 4 hours per week for 12 months over 1 to 2 years, for clinical investigation, basic laboratory research, epidemiology, social science/health services research, leadership, or professionalism. Funds from the fellowship are expected to be the major source of support for the student. Only one candidate from each school may be nominated. Councilors should keep "runners-up" applications on file in case additional funds become available. The name of the fellowship program honors Carolyn L. Kuckein, long-time administrator of AΩA and an honorary member of the society, who died in 2004.

The Awards
$5000, one-half paid on announcement of the award, and one-half on approval by AΩA of a final report of the research. Up to $1000 will be reimbursed for travel to present research results at a national meeting.

Eligibility
First-, second-, and third-year students from schools with active AΩA chapters are eligible. PhDs and candidates for PhD or MD/PhD are not eligible.

Dates for Application

1. Proposals must be submitted to the councilor before December 31, 2011.
2. The final application to the national office must be postmarked no later than January 31, 2012.

Application to the Councilor
The councilor and his or her selection committee will choose the proposal judged to be the most promising and with a high probability of completion during the next year.

1. A three-page summary of the research project written by the applicant in 12-point type with 1-inch margins, as follows: title, hypothesis, rationale, background information, methods and sample size, plan for data analysis, and potential significance. Details of the role of the student in preparation and execution of the project must be provided, along with an estimate of the number of weeks that the student will devote to the project.
2. The student's curriculum vitae and bibliography, social security number, current address, telephone number, e-mail, school and year of graduation.
3. A letter of support from the faculty supervisor that indicates his or her commitment of time and interest to the project and student.
4. The mentor's biographical sketch.
5. Completed application form with checklists.

Application to the National Office
The proposal selected by the councilor's selection committee must be sent to the national office, and must include, in addition to the items included in the submission to the councilor:

1. A letter of endorsement from the AΩA councilor; and
2. A dean's endorsement that should comment upon the student's achievements and potential and the suitability of the faculty sponsor for mentoring.

All materials must be submitted in triplicate by regular mail. All supporting letters must accompany the original submission; incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Mail the original and two copies of the application to:

The Review Process
A committee of physician scientists and AΩA's Board of Directors will evaluate each proposal. Additional information or clarification may be requested.

Date of Award Announcement
On or about April 15, 2012.

Other Important Information

1. Approval of clinical or animal projects by the local medical center IRB or IACUC will be necessary before funding is approved.
2. A completed, signed, and dated Form W-9 must be received by the national office before funding is released.
3. No later than June 30, 2013, the student must submit a report of the research to the Menlo Park office, detailing methods, results and discussion, and an abstract of fewer than 300 words that may be published on the AΩA web site if not already published.. Any publication of the AΩA-supported research project must contain the following acknowledgment: Supported in part by an Alpha Omega Alpha Carolyn L. Kuckein Student Research Fellowship.

Frequently Asked Questions
How many fellowships are awarded each year?
AΩA allocates funds for about 50 awards each year. We do not reject any application lightly. If a research proposal is found unacceptable in it original format, the student is often offered a chance to make revisions or to submit a new proposal for further review.

Are there restrictions how the award money should be used?
No. How the money is used is entirely at the recipient's discretion.

Is a student restricted to doing the research project in the summer months?
No. It is up to the student and the school's scheduling. Originally this was intended as a summer program, a student may do the project at whatever time convenient. In many cases, it is part of an on-going project. However the student is required to complete the project and submit a final report to the national office by June 30 of the following year.

Does the student applying for the research fellowship have to complete the research at the same institution?
No. The research can be done at any institution as long as the student has a specific mentor there who is willing to support him/her.

If a school has two outstanding candidates, can the councilor submit both?
No. Only one candidate from each school may be nominated. It is not our intent to pass over good applicants when funds are available, but at the same time we have to be fair to all. Councilors may keep a "first alternate" on file in case additional funds become available.

If a student has completed his/her third year, but plans to take a year off to do research. Is the student eligible for an award?
Yes, if the student does not anticipate graduating in the same year that the fellowship is awarded and is enrolled at the medical school.

Can a student accept additional funding from another organization on the same project?
Yes, if AΩA funds are the major source of support of the student.

More Information
Contact Debbie Lancaster at (650) 329-0291 or d.lancaster@alphaomegaalpha.org.

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