2011 AAN Medical Student Summer Research Scholarship

The AAN will award up to twenty $3,000 scholarships to first- or second-year medical students who are current AAN members, and who have a supporting preceptor and a project with clearly defined goals. Third year AAN medical student members who are on an official summer break will also be considered with accompanying documentation. The project is to be conducted through a U.S. or Canadian institution of the student's choice and jointly designed by the student and sponsoring institution. Only applicants from schools with established SIGN chapters are eligible to apply. More than one student from an institution may apply, but only one student will be selected from an institution.

Project Criteria:

1. The project is to be undertaken in either an institutional, clinical, or laboratory setting that has ongoing programs of research, service, or training, or in a private practice setting.
2. The research being conducted MUST be neuroscience based i.e. basic neuroscience. Note: Research done in overlapping fields of cognition/psychology, PMR for neurologic dysfunction or overlap with ENT are acceptable.
3. There must be a registered SIGN chapter at the student applicant's institution; there does not need to be a SIGN chapter at the institution where the research will be done, but this is encouraged.
4. Applicants must be current AAN members at the time of application submission.
5. Applicants must not have received the scholarship previously.
6. Sponsoring investigators must confirm that local IRB requirements regarding the student's role in human subjects research have been or are being addressed.
7. If your project preceptor and SIGN faculty advisor are the same person, please provide two separate letters.
8. The student should write the proposal, clearly delineating his/her role in the project. Applications in which the role of the student is not clearly defined will not be considered.
9. Any publications resulting from the funded project must acknowledge the support of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). Upon publication, copies should be forwarded to the AAN.
10. Multiple sources of funding is allowed; however, applicants must provide information regarding what funds have been applied for and/or received.
11. Preference will be given to first-time researchers. Projects already completed will not be considered.
12. Scholarship winners are encouraged to submit their abstract to the AAN for the Annual Meeting Scientific Program www.call4abstracts.com/aan/
13. Scholarship winners will be encouraged to display their research results at the poster session during the SIGN meeting at the Annual Meeting.

Student will submit by or before February 11, 2011:

1. 1-2 page project proposal
2. 1-2 page Curriculum Vitae
3. 2 letters of recommendation: one from the project preceptor and one from the SIGN faculty advisor.
4. U.S. Students complete a Form W-9 with Social Security number--Canadian residents complete a Statement of Citizenship with Tax ID number.
5. No staples, cover, or binding.
6. Mail, do not fax, this information to Cheryl Alementi, AAN, 1080 Montreal Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55116.
7. Keep a copy for your records. Email calementi@aan.com to confirm receipt by the AAN.

Student will include in the attached Project Proposal:

1. Student name and title of project
2. Students clearly defined role in the project
3. Time frame of project
4. Clearly defined goals
5. Statement of how the goals will be completed in the time frame specified
6. Description of methods to be used
7. Statement of how the data are to be analyzed
8. Signatures of student, SIGN faculty advisor, and project preceptor

Student will return when notified of winning:

1. A Statement of Intent form, signed by student and preceptor, supplied with winner notification letter.

Student will submit after project completion and before September 2, 2011:

1. A one-page abstract of the project
2. Evaluation forms completed by the student and preceptor, supplied with the winner notification letter.
3. Students are encouraged to submit completed abstracts to the AAN or ANA and/or display their project at the SIGN meeting at the AAN Annual Meeting.