RESEARCH GRANT

(Application for the Research Grant is now opened till 31 March 2022)

The Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) invites applications from science and medical graduates from APLAR member societies for its APLAR Research Grant. Each year, three (3) grants of up to USD 14,000 will be awarded to doctors striving to improve the lives of rheumatology patients through research. The grants are to assist the undertaking of research in either adult or paediatric rheumatology.

The aims of the grant are to give the researcher an opportunity to start and do research within their own country of residence. In addition, we hope to promote and support basic and clinical research directed to the causes, prevention, and treatment of rheumatic diseases in the APLAR member society countries. This grant is to be used for consumables required for the research, including salaries of assistants, but not for fixed costs. It is expected that the research will be completed within one (1) year of initiating the project work.

All successful awardees are required to submit a full report to the APLAR Executive Committee upon the completion of their research. Additionally, they are required to submit data from the work carried out for presentation at a subsequent APLAR Congress, and for publication as a full scientific article in an international peer-reviewed journal, preferably the International Journal of the Rheumatic Diseases. An acknowledgement of the APLAR grant must be included in the manuscript.

Applicants should demonstrate that how their research will impact improvements in education and/or the clinical practice of rheumatology. Only complete applications with the correct supporting documents will be accepted. The decision of the APLAR Executive Committee on the award of these grants is final.

The offer is valid only for:

• Medical or science graduate of less than 45 years of age.
• Nationals of countries who are members of APLAR (clear of arrears for membership dues).

The following documents should be enclosed with the application:

• Photocopy of document clearly stating date of birth.
• A curriculum vitae with a recent 2×2 inch photograph.
• A reference of good standing from the Dean of the candidate’s medical school / university.
• A written statement from the Head of Department or Senior Consultant of the host centre to which the applicant is going to, that he/she is able to supervise the research and
• researcher.
• A summary of the project with the significance of the expected results in the context of current knowledge (maximum 500 words).
• A grant proposal of the project detailing the background, aims, methodology, budget, and expected results (see below).
• Ethics Committee approval of the study for all human and animal studies.
• A budget
• A timeline of the research project.

Outline of the proposal for applying APLAR Research grants

Please study the template below for proposal development and submission it along with the application form:

Disbursement of Funds

At the start of the project, USD 5,000 will be transferred to the investigator’s account, preferably their University’s, Institution’s, or Department’s research account. But if that would incur an administrative charge, then the investigator can request to use their personal account.

Following the first transfer, the investigator will be required to provide receipts for the expenditure as the project progresses. If any individual item costs are more than USD 1,000, then 3 separate quotations are required, and the cheapest quotation will usually be accepted. Once the expenditure has exceeded the first USD 5,000, there can be 2 further disbursements at Month 3 and Month 6, depending on the proposed budget, supported by receipts, of up to USD 4,000 each.

The last USD 1,000 will be transferred once the completed research report and the final draft of the manuscript of the research project been received by the APLAR Executive Committee. In addition, awardees should submit their work for publication in an international peer-reviewed journal, preferably to the International Journal of the Rheumatic Diseases.

The APLAR Executive Committee reserves the right to adjust the amount of grant awarded depending on the proposed budget expenditure. Any such decision taken by the APLAR Executive Committee is final.

Application Period

Application for grant will open from 15 January 2022 to 31 March 2022.

To download the application form, click here!

RESEARCH GRANT RECIPIENTS