The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) has launched its Neuro-EM Scholars Program. This exciting and innovative program will support early-career emergency medicine physicians across the United States researching neurological disorders commonly seen in pre-hospital and emergency department settings.
“This is a great opportunity for Emergency Medicine candidates,” says Opeolu Adeoye, MD, MS, BJC HealthCare Professor and Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine and Emergency Physician-in-Chief at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. “I am proud to be part of the Neuro-EM Program’s leadership team consisting of myself, Dr. Robert Neumar of the University of Michigan, Dr. Gail D’Onofrio of Yale University, and Dr. Clifton Callaway of the University of Pittsburgh.”
Adeoye added, “Our goal is to train and mentor emergency medicine physicians at the start of their careers to ensure they have what they need to become leading researchers in pre-hospital and emergency department evaluation and treatment of brain injuries and diseases.”
Program Features
The Neuro-EM Scholars Program will support clinically practicing physicians who are within their first two years of an initial faculty position (after residency or fellowship training) and are conducting research within the missions of NINDS, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) or the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Funded scholars will receive up to 3 years of salary support allowing them to dedicate 75% effort to their research and career development, as well as $40k per year for research costs. Applicants must also have a commitment from their department chair to provide two additional years of at least 50% protected time for research after the Neuro-EM funding period ends.
The program will feature an annual retreat to provide an opportunity for applicants and funded scholars to interact directly with the program’s national advisory committee members, senior investigators and with NIH personnel. At these meetings, funded Neuro-EM scholars will be expected to present updates on their research progress. They will also receive valuable mentoring and will contribute insights and mentorship to new applicants and future scholars.
Finally, in addition to the main K12 program, Neuro-EM Scholars also includes a Pipeline Program that provides advance training for up to ten investigators per year who are not yet eligible or ready to apply for the K12. Pipeline participants can include emergency medicine senior residents, fellows, and first year faculty, and they must be nominated by a chair, division chief or program director. Chosen participants will be invited to attend the annual retreat, where they will receive training and support in grant writing 1-2 years before they might apply for the main K12.
Call for Applications and Nominations
The Neuro-EM Program is currently accepting applications for its inaugural scholar cohort as well as nominations for its Pipeline Program. Scholar applications and Pipeline nominations are due October 1, 2024. Interested candidates and nominators can learn more and register for updates via the official program website: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/emrcdpns.