THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF OPHTHALMOLOGISTS & FIGHT FOR SIGHTOphthalmology Trainee Research Network Awards

2017

Closing date: Friday 17 March 2017

Three awards each of £5,000

Applications are invited from trainee ophthalmologists working throughout the UK for three Ophthalmology Trainee Research Network Awards each of £5,000.

Promoted by the NIHR Ophthalmology Specialty Group, most of the 15 regions served by Local Clinical Research Networks, now have Ophthalmology Trainee Research Networks (OTRNs). Several of these networks have formulated high-quality research protocols that require funding to deliver. Trainees involved in a NIHR OTRN develop NHS-delivered research studies at one or more secondary/primary care sites where trainee ophthalmologists are site principle investigators. This award is intended to support studies with a clear patient benefit which will become part of the NIHR Clinical Research Network Portfolio of studies eligible for consideration for support from the Clinical Research Network in England or similar support structures in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The awards will be made to support only research studies in subject areas that fall within the remit of the Fight for Sight mission. At the time of writing these are Fight for Sight’s six research priority areas (details of the research priority areas can be found in Fight for Sight’s Research Strategy 2012-2017). All studies supported by this award must be adopted onto the NIHR Portfolio. The applicant will be:

i. Chief Investigator of the studyii. Have initiated/co-initiated the study with other trainee ophthalmologistsiii. An ophthalmologist in training working in an NHS Acute Trust that delivers

eye care servicesiv. A member of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists

The duration of the research project will be two years. The award cannot be used to pay for salaries of trainee or consultant ophthalmologists.

Examples of areas that can be supported by the award include:

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Research Design and analytical support: e.g. statistical and academic adviceSalary costs for employment of administratorsEquipment and consumablesTravel costs to international conference to present findings

The award will be made by a committee appointed by the Trustees of Fight for Sight that includes representatives of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. The committee may decide to invite applicants for interview (date to be confirmed after the closing date). The successful applicants will be awarded the prize at The Royal College of Ophthalmologists Admissions Ceremony in September 2017.

Please note that the award of £5,000 does not indicate that Fight for Sight or The Royal College of Ophthalmologists have any further commitment to the winner in terms of future financial support.

Please email an electronic version of your completed application form and CV to caroline@fightforsight.org.uk

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 5pm on Friday 17th March 2017

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Ophthalmology Trainee Research Network Award

Application Form

Please read the guidance document carefully before completing this application form, in particular the question-specific guidance.

Completed forms should be submitted electronically by 5pm on 17 th March 2017 to caroline@fightforsight.org.uk

Section A: Your details

Name:

Qualifications:

Current position:

Start date in current position:

Deanery of your current position:

Training yeare.g. ST5Date of first appointment as ophthalmology trainee:

Employer:

Contact details Email:Tel:

Section B: Research Experience

1. Please give details of any previous research experience or training

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Section C: Use of Ophthalmology Trainee Research Network Award

2. Please describe why you are applying for this Award and the benefits to your career (max 500 words):

Word count

3. Please specify the title of your proposed research

4. Please describe your proposed research (max 1000 words)

Word count:

5. Please describe how any outputs from your proposed research will influence patient care, impact on the health and wellbeing of patients or current NHS Policy in ophthalmology (max 500 words)

Word count:

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Section D: Details of funding requested

6. Financial details

7. Justification for support requested (200 words)

Section E: To be completed by the Mentor

8. Name and current position

9. Please describe the supervision plan for the project including support, training and skills that will be made available to the applicant (500 words)

Word Count:

Section F: Additional Information

10. If there is anything additional you wish to tell us please detail it here. This could include additional supervision arrangements

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Section G: Declarations/ Signatures

a. Applicant – by signing below I confirm that the details provided in this form are accurate

Name …………………………………………………........................................

Signature

………...…………………………………………………………………………….

Position ………………………………………………........................................

Date ………………………...........

b. Mentor - confirmation of support

Name …………………………………………………........................................

Signature

………...…………………………………………………………………………….

Position ………………………………………………........................................

Date ………………………...........

Thank you for completing this application form

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