SRSF Mentored Collaboration Grant

Apply Today

The goal of the SRSF Mentored Collaboration Grant is to link trainees who have limited sleep/circadian mentoring options in their chosen field of interest to mentors that can provide rich, face-to-face opportunities in state-of-the-art research techniques and methods. The mentor-mentee relationship should also extend beyond the face-to-face portion and, as appropriate, include mentorship via ongoing phone or web-based meetings over the course of the funded year. The expectation is that all mentor-mentee pairs develop a research product such as an abstract for the SLEEP Meeting, manuscript, and/or grant proposal. This collaboration may be in the United States or abroad as long as both participants are active SRS Members.

Scope of Support

The program is intended to grow the field of sleep researchers by offering support training and mentorship to investigators at an early stage in their career. Up to two awards of ≤$3,500 each will be given annually for travel-related expenses. Fewer awards could be given depending on available funds and quality of applications. It is understood that the mentor will participate at no cost to this program. All early-stage investigators are eligible to apply, including graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, interns, residents, and assistant professors (or similar career stages).  Individuals from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply .

Duration

The duration of the award is one year, with a minimum of one-week on-site with Mentor and expected to continue via phone or video contact. At the end of the year, all awardees must submit a final report that details whether training goals were met and progress toward collaborative research products (conference abstracts, grant proposals, and/or manuscripts).

Application

To apply for a Mentored Collaboration Grant, applicants must complete the online application* which includes a letter of support from the mentor and a plan for mentorship activities (written by mentee in consultation with the mentor).

SRSF Mentored Collaboration Grant Eligibility Checklist:

  • Mentee and Mentor must be and remain active SRS Members in good standing.

  • Mentee and Mentor must have an established relationship and a brief summary of interactions regarding the project must be included in the Mentorship Plan and Letter of Support.

  • Mentee should be an early career member at the post-undergraduate level.

  • Mentee should be at the Assistant Professor level (or equivalent) or earlier career stage as of January 30, 2025.

  • Mentee should be within 10 years of having obtained a terminal degree (e.g., PhD, MD, DO) or earlier in their career stage as of the nomination deadline. If the mentee is beyond 10 years of having obtained a terminal degree, a description of circumstances facilitating eligibility (e.g., clinical training, maternity/paternity leave or care of dependents) under which the mentee look time away from research within 10 years of obtaining their terminal degree should be included.

  • Mentor letter, including plans for collaborative research products, as indicated on application, and substantiation of fit.

  • Mentee intent/plans, goals for research products, budget, as well as a statement of need for collaboration to be in person.

  • A completed application.

  • If applicable, applicant must provide Visa documentation for travel to the intended mentor’s lab.

  • Mentee final report at end of one year, describing progress toward research products in relation to the intent, plans, and goals stated in the application.

2024 Award Recipients

Lillian Skeiky, PhD – Uniformed Services University
Miguel Navarrete, PhD  – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

2023 Award Recipients

Mattina Davenport, PhD – Center for Child Health Equity and Outcomes Research
Rupsha Singh, PhD  – National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities

2020 Award Recipients

Janet Cheung – The University of Sydney, Australia
Cassandra Godzik-Dziobek – Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and Dartmouth College
Misol Kwon – University of Buffalo
Po-Yang Tsou, MD – Driscoll Children’s Hospital

2019 Award Recipients

Sammy S. Dhaliwal, MSc, MS – The George Washington University
Remington Mallett – University of Texas at Austin
Oluwatosin Olorunmoteni – Obafemi Awolowo University
Darian Sidebottom – Washington State University

2018 Award Recipients

Samantha Riedy – Washington State University
Stephen Thankachan, PhD – Harvard Medical School