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The ideal candidate is one with evidence of strong aptitude in research and who is in transition from post-doctoral trainee to independent investigator. It is essential that there be evidence of accomplishment and proficiency in research. Few applicants who are just beginning research training and have only one or two research publications are funded. Candidates with greater than seven years since the doctoral degree should include reasons for continued training. Candidates may hold any relevant doctoral degree (e.g., M.D., Ph.D., Sc.D., D.V.M., Dr. P.H.). Fellowships are restricted to US, Canadian and Mexican citizens or permanent residents. However, foreign nationals who document their initial steps toward permanent residence in the US, Canada or Mexico will also be considered. Documentation should include a description of steps already taken toward application for long-term residency or citizenship.
Mentorship of the fellow by an established investigator is required. Any established faculty scientist at a university or a not-for-profit research institution may mentor a candidate for fellowship. Mentors at government or corporate laboratories are not eligible. The mentor should be in a position to guarantee that 75 percent of a fellow's time is available for research. The mentor should be committed to fostering the candidate's career advancement and should be the primary scientific advisor. Secondary scientific mentors at the same or a different institution are encouraged but not required. Their roles should be described in the body of the application. Many fellows spend some portion of their fellowship years working with a secondary mentor at another institution.
There are no restrictions regarding discipline or department. Clinical or basic science departments are suitable; however, it is expected that the proposed research will focus on lung biology or lung disease. Awards are limited to institutions located in the US, Canada and Mexico. Each department may submit only one application annually and is limited to a maximum of two active fellowships at any one time.
- Having an NIH K series or similar award at the time of application makes one ineligible for a PBF Fellowship. However, once awarded, a PBF Fellow may accept such a grant, as long as the basic requirements of the PBF Fellowship are met (75 percent of time available for research and PBF funds used only for salary and travel). Most importantly, the area of lung research pursued should remain the same.
- Previous individual or institutional NIH or MRC training grants do not make one ineligible, although they must be relinquished if a PBF Fellowship is awarded.
- Individuals are ineligible for a PBF Fellowship if they are the principal investigator on an NIH RO1 or similar research grant when applying for a PBF Fellowship. But Fellows in their second or third year may have their own NIH RO1 or similar grant. In fact, obtaining research grants is an appropriate goal for PBF Fellows. Since fellowship funds are restricted to the Fellow's salary and travel, in some cases it may not be possible to utilize the full level of PBF Fellowship support.
- Awards will not be given if either the fellow or mentor currently holds funding from the tobacco industry, even if the tobacco monies will not be used to support the PBF sponsored research.
A broad array of approaches to lung biology and respiratory medicine, ranging from cell and molecular studies, to those involving epidemiologic and clinical aspects of human subjects are appropriate. We also encourage applications from pulmonary medicine specialists interested in pursuing research in bioethical aspects of pulmonary medicine or critical care. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the ethics of clinical trials in critical care, end-of-life decisions and resource allocation. The context of all these topics should be pulmonary biology and lung disease. Applicants must meet all the eligibility standards. Mentors and/or applicants considering whether a particular area is appropriate are encouraged to discuss potential projects with the Director of the PBF Fellowship Program in Seattle, Washington (trmartin@u.washington.edu).
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