CALL FOR AWARD SUBMISSIONS
Submissions for the Innovation in Retina Research Award being offered by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) with the support of Bayer Inc. are now being accepted. The Award is open to residents or fellows enrolled in a Canadian clinical training program.
Applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm ET on May 2, 2022.
The top three finalists will be notified during the week of May 23, 2022.
Finalists must be available to present their research proposal during an in-person symposium at the 2022 COS Annual Meeting and Exhibition scheduled from 6:30 – 8:00 am AT on Saturday, June 11, 2022.
If you have any questions or require support preparing or submitting your application, please email [email protected]
Award Overview
The Innovation in Retina Research Award is being offered by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) with the support of Bayer Inc. The Award is intended for clinical trainees (residents or fThe Innovation in Retina Research Award is being offered by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) with the support of Bayer Inc. The Award is intended for clinical trainees (residents or fellows) for a research project proposal on any topic related to retinal disease. While all retina topics will be considered, preference will be given to those using digital innovations in optimizing patient screening and care, including artificial intelligence (AI) and remote screening.
Applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm ET on May 2, 2022.
The applications will be scored based on an independent peer review process. The top three selected submissions will present their research proposal during a virtual symposium at the 2022 COS Annual Meeting and Exhibition scheduled from 6:30 – 8:00 am AT on Saturday, June 11, 2022. The judging panel will ask questions about the research proposals and during the ensuing judging deliberations, the symposium audience will be able to vote for its choice of the top pitch. That research project proposal would gain an additional $5,000 towards its research. Three prizes will be awarded by the peer judging panel for a total of $70,000 (first prize: $35,000, second prize: $22,500, third prize: $12,500).
Funded research must be completed within 36 months from the start of funding. After the Annual Meeting, COS will distribute the funding to the winner’s institution. A research status report will be requested and should be submitted on July 1st of the ensuing year(s) that the project is running.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must be enrolled in a Canadian clinical training program (residents or fellows).
- Award funds are solely intended for Canadian research purposes.
- Applicants must currently reside in Canada.
- The award and funds are intended for original research conducted by residents or fellows and should not supplement funding for an ongoing project.
- If the submission refers to a multi-centre clinical trial, the applicant must specify his/her specific role in the research study.
- If the application is for a sub-study of an ongoing project or trial, the applicant must specify his/her role and explain how the sub-study is distinct from the main study.
- If the scope of the project is greater than the funds awarded, the applicant must explain in what area the grant will be used. If another member of the team is involved in the project, the applicant is to describe his/her role in the study.
- The funds awarded may be used as a standalone or may be further leveraged by applying for funding from another source.
- Applicants must be available to present their research project proposals to the judging panel during a virtual session at the 2022 COS Annual Meeting & Exhibition, on Saturday, June 11th, 2022 from 6:30 – 8:00 am AT.
- Funds will be administered by the Ophthalmology Division of the awardee’s affiliated university or equivalent.
- A research status report will be requested and should be submitted on July 1st of the ensuing year(s) that the project is running.
- Upon completion of the project, there is an expectation that the output of the research will be submitted for presentation at ophthalmology congresses like the COS Annual Meeting and Exhibition. The submission must acknowledge the source of the research funding as the Innovation in Retina Research Award supported by COS and Bayer Inc.
Applications
- Applicants are asked to submit a proposal using the application form
- The application form should be emailed to [email protected] by 5:00 pm ET on May 2, 2022 along with the following documentation:
- Curriculum vitae outlining any prior research experience and/or publications
- Hi-resolution photo of the applicant along with a brief bio
- By submitting the photo and brief bio, the applicant provides consent for the photo and brief bio to be used in promotion of the Award and the symposium to be held at the 2021 COS Annual Meeting and Exhibition
- Completed budget template that can be accessed here
The Peer Review Process
All applications will be pre-screened by the COS Secretariat for eligibility. Applications that are late, incomplete and/or do not meet the basic eligibility criteria will be not be considered for review.
An adjudication committee of five healthcare professional peers with expertise in retinal diseases will review all qualifying applications and select the three most meritorious finalists. Any reviewers with a Conflict of Interest will recuse themselves from the review process for the corresponding proposal.
Evaluation of applications will be based on three criteria: 1) Quality, 2) Importance, and 3) Feasibility. A portion of the review will be based on the candidate’s presentation delivered during the symposium.
The three finalists will present their research project proposal at a virtual session held during the 2021 COS Annual Meeting & Exhibition on Saturday, June 11th, 2022 from 6:30 – 8:00 am AT. During a 10-minute presentation, the finalists will have the opportunity to present the research project proposal and answer questions from the judging panel. Following the three presentations, each of the three finalists will be awarded an Innovation in Retina Research Award and one will also receive the audience choice designation.
The Award
Three prizes will be awarded based on an independent peer review process.
Award Prizes:
- 1st prize: $35,000
- 2nd prize: $22,500
- 3rd prize: $12,500
An additional $5,000 prize will be awarded by the session audience during the presentation of the research proposal to one of the three finalists for the most effective and persuasive presentation.
Funds will be administered by the Ophthalmology Division of the awardee’s affiliated university or equivalent.
Funded research must be completed within 36 months from the start of funding.
Supported by:
The Canadian Ophthalmology Society (COS) and Bayer Inc. are proud to support The Innovation in Retina Research Award. With this award, we hope to further research in retinal diseases to improve the lives of Canadians who are affected by these conditions and their families.
