IADR Smile Train Cleft Research Award

Criteria

• Criteria for Proposals:

  For the purposes of this Award Program, applications must relate to some phase of cleft care (diagnosis, device or procedure) that advances the scientific knowledge of cleft patient care
   

• Review:

  An expert review panel of judges will consider all proposals received by the deadline. The review panel will include experts acknowledged as leaders in their fields and one member from Smile Train. No members of the IADR Board of Directors may serve as members of the review panel.

• Criteria for review will include:

  1) Originality and novelty of the research proposal. Does the project employ novel concepts, approaches or methods? Are the aims original and innovative? Are existing paradigms challenged or new methods or technologies developed?

  2) Potential importance to oral health and quality of life. Does the study address an important problem? What effect might this project have on current methods and concepts that drive this field?

  3) Evidence of the applicants’ abilities to conduct the proposed research. Are the named investigators appropriately trained to carry out this work? Is the work proposed appropriately matched to the experience levels of the researchers?

  4) Appropriateness of methodologies and scope. Does the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Does the project employ useful collaborative arrangements? Is there evidence of institutional support? Is there a biostatistical design/plan regarding sample size and power?

  5) Budgetary emphasis should be on additional technical assistance, equipment, etc. related specifically to pursuing the research or method rather than providing significant salary support for principal investigators.
  The Review Committee will treat all application materials submitted for consideration for funding in a confidential manner. The Review Committee members will not use application materials submitted by prospective awardees and evaluation materials for any purposes other than those related to the acceptance and evaluation of applications or the administration of awards.
  Smile Train shall not use, disclose, or transfer for any purpose other than the award program any information or intellectual property disclosed in the course or as part of the Award Program
   

• Proposal:

  Proposals are limited to a Research Plan, (6-page limit PDF file or 2100 words maximum); a Biographical Sketch, (5-page limit PDF file; and a Budget (not part of the 6-page limit). Tables and figures are included in the 6-page limit. No appendices (other than investigators’ resumes and letters of support) are allowed. A title for the project and a

• Research Plan (not to exceed 6 pages PDF or 2100 words):

  The research plan should be divided into:
  1. Hypothesis and Specific Aims - Indicate the hypothesis that forms the basis for the research and the specific aims that applicant intends to accomplish with this Award.
  2. Background and Significance - Discuss the scientific knowledge that led to the stated hypothesis and specific aims, why this project is novel, the importance of the proposed research and its potential relevance, if successful.
  3. Preliminary Results - If preliminary results are available, they should be described.
  4. Research Design and Methods - Briefly describe the procedures and methodology that will be used to accomplish the specific aims and discuss how potential pitfalls might be avoided. Include the biostatistical plan in this section.
  5. Time Frame - Provide an estimated time for accomplishing key goals. If the proposed work is likely to take longer than two years, indicate the total time frame and overall scope of the project, and what applicant hopes to accomplish.
  6. Literature Cited - Provide a short list (not more than 30) of applicable literature citations.
  7. Resources - Specify what general laboratory/office facilities are at applicant’s disposal to conduct the research. Indicate what specialized equipment and facilities are required.
  8. Consultant/Collaborative/Contractual Arrangements - If needed, include letters verifying any consulting, collaborative, or contractual arrangements necessary for the conduct of the research.
   

• Biographical Sketch (not to exceed 5 pages):

  The sketch should include the applicant's name and position title. This should be followed by education/training information (earliest training and degree first) and research and professional experiences (concluding with the current position) such as used for NIH awards. Complete references to all recent and/or relevant scientific/clinical publications should be included. 

• Budget and Budget Justification:

  A completed budget form is required for acceptance. Please supply explanation and justification where necessary.

• Award Policies and Conditions:

  IADR shall be responsible for establishing and enforcing all rules and regulations concerning the granting of Award and complying with all applicable laws, rules and regulations.
  Successful applicants/institutions will be required to sign a Letter of Agreement and Acceptance concerning the conditions and policies under which the grant is awarded prior to receipt of the Award.
  If the applicant/recipient would like to request Smile Train data, a separate data sharing agreement will be created.
  The Smile Train Research Award is not renewable and is a one-time only award. 

• Financial Administration and Reports:

  The Award will be made to the grantee institution/private practice and not to the individual. The investigator(s) is responsible for the scientific conduct of the research and the institution/practice is responsible for financial and administrative matters. The institution/practice is responsible for administration of the funds in accordance with acceptable policies and procedures for sponsored project accounting and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Award.
  A final report is to be submitted to IADR at the completion of the project. 
  IADR and Smile Train reserve the right to make no Award.
  
  The Award will be provided in the form of an unrestricted research grant which carries no obligation to the recipient’s organization for licensure, patenting, or transfer of confidential information. No indirect or other costs will be provided, and a recipient can only receive this Award once.

• Human Subjects, Radiation Safety and Environmental Health Issues:

  All research conducted as part of the IADR Smile Train Research Award involving human subjects or animals shall follow all applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines and, if involving human subjects or otherwise appropriate, have the approval of the relevant Institutional Review Board (IRB). Copies of the IRB approval must be submitted prior to funding of the Award.

• Publications:

  All presentations and publications (as well as posters and/or abstracts at scientific meetings) that result from the support provided by the Award should acknowledge such support in writing. The following citation is suggested: "Funding for this project [research title], has been provided through an IADR Smile Train Research Award, conducted by the International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research and sponsored by Smile Train."
   

• Low or Middle Income Country Classification

  Preference will be placed on researchers apbplying from Low and Middle Income Countries as defined our IADR Membership Application which can be found on pg.2.

• Previous Winners

  2022 - Azeez Alade, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States