Level of Education

DDFRCS recipients must be physician-scientists, possessing an MD, DO or MD/PhD degree.

Citizenship

Eligible applicants must be citizens or non-citizen nationals of the United States, or have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence and have in their possession an Alien Registration Receipt Card (I-151 or I-551) or other legal verification of admission for permanent residence.

Non-citizen nationals are persons born in lands that are not States but are under U.S. sovereignty, jurisdiction, or administration (e.g., American Samoa). Individuals on visas are not eligible.

Career Level

Applicants must be faculty appointed at the Instructor or Assistant Professor level. Applicants should be no more than 10 years beyond their appointment or promotion to Assistant Professor.

Research Project

All applicants must be conducting original clinical research on a significant biomedical problem. Clinical research is defined as scientific investigation of the etiology, diagnosis, prevention or treatment of human disease using human subjects, populations, material of human origin, tissues or pathogens (if linked to a patient).

Principle Investigator Status

All DDFRCS applicants must be currently serving as a principle investigator on an NIH, other federal agency, or foundation-sponsored grant for research project support or career development award.

Extraprofessional Demands

Each DDFRCS applicant will be asked to provide a compelling rationale for why funds are needed to maintain scientific productivity in the face of extraprofessional personal demands. Demands might include, but are not limited to, extraordinary responsibilities as a caregiver for a family member, disruptive legal or immigration issues, impact of a natural disaster, personal tragedy, or personal or family health issue.