The purpose of these awards is to support promising fellows during their mentored training and research period under the guidance of outstanding faculty PI/sponsors. This award is not designed to fund the proposed research. The integrated program of research and training should enhance a fellow’s potential to develop into a productive, independent researcher. The training plan should document the need for, and the anticipated value of, the proposed mentored training in relationship to the proposed SCI research career goals. The training plan should also facilitate a fellow’s transition to the next stage of their career. It is expected that the mentored training experience will provide: A strong foundation in research design, methods, and analytic techniques appropriate to the proposed SCI research; The enhancement of a fellow’s ability to conceptualize and think through research problems with increasing independence; Experience conducting research using appropriate, state-of-the-art methods, as well as presenting and publishing the research findings as first author; The opportunity to interact with members of the scientific community at appropriate scientific meetings and workshops; The skills needed to transition to the next stage of a fellow’s research career; and The opportunity to enhance a fellow’s understanding of SCI-related sciences and the relationship of his/her research to spinal cord health, injury and disease.
