PROPOSAL GUIDELINES

All submissions must be uploaded into this online system using the deadlines listed below.

Document format:

• Proposals should be written on 8.5 × 11 inch paper with a minimum of 3⁄4 inch margins
• Single-spaced using no smaller than an 11-point Times New Roman font
• Page limits for each section must be strictly observed
• The order of the written proposal should follow the outline described below, including use of the outline numbering and headings
• If any of the sections are not applicable, indicate this with “N/A”
• Figures, tables and graphics must be included in the “Study Proposal” page limit. Addenda and extra information beyond the page limit will not be reviewed
• Failure to adhere to these guidelines will result in disqualification

Proposal structure and limits:

• Cover page (1-page max): Title of proposed study; name, affiliation (academic/practice entity), email, and postal mailing address of the resident, resident advisor, all investigators; name of the agency to which the grant would be payable; amount requested; signature of the resident, Resident Advisor and appropriate grant administrator(s).
• Study Proposal (5-page limit inclusive of sections #1, 2, and 3, outlined below. Follow limits in parentheses for each item.)
  1. Summary (1-page max): To include:
     • Title
     • Hypothesis/Objective(s)
     • Relevance statement (description of problem and need for the research being proposed)
  2. Research Strategy (3 pages max): To include:
     • Background and significance
     • Preliminary data (if applicable)
     • Experimental design and methods
     • Analysis (statistical methods, sample size justification if applicable)
     • Expected results
     • Resources and timeline for completion
  3. Budget and Justification (1-page max): Allowable items:
     • Personnel –salary for resident and advisor are not allowable. Technician, data management individuals may be allowable
     • Equipment – purchase of major equipment is not allowable.
     • Supplies
     • Patient care costs (if applicable)
     • Other expenses
     • Indirect costs: Because VCS is a not-for-profit organization, indirect/overhead/F&A are never provided.
  4. References (1-page maximum): Pertinent related literature references
  5. Biographical sketch(2 pages each maximum): NIH style biosketch of Resident, Resident-advisor and any co-investigators
  6. Client consent form (2 pages maximum, contact VCS if an exception must be considered due to institutional policy) if applicable: Copy of proposed client consent form. For guidance on relevant elements of consent, please click HERE to see the Elements of consent (from the US Department of Health and Human Services).
  7. Resident Advisor statement (1-page): The residency advisor must sign off on the project in the form of letter stating:
     • A willingness to ensure completion of the project in the 1-year time-frame
     • A commitment to have the completed project presented (by the resident) as either an oral or poster presentation at a VCS meeting within 3 years of project funding.
     • A commitment to provide annual progress reports until results are presented at the VCS meeting.

Animal Involvement: The study should be approved by an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and documentation of this approval (or pending approval) must be provided in the event the funding is awarded. A copy of the client consent form should be appended to the application. If there is no IACUC at the institution or practice, informed owner consent alone will be reviewed. If the proposed research does not involve live animals, this should be evident in the grant submission and thus IACUC is unnecessary.

2023-24 TIMELINE:

• Application announcement: July 10, 2023
• Deadline for receipt of applications: September 8, 2023
• Award announcements: November 13, 2023
• Funding to be distributed no later than January 15, 2024
• Projects must be completed within a 1-year time period

SUBMISSION CONFIRMATION:

All residents who submit a grant application to VCS at cindy@vetcancersociety.org will receive an email from VCS confirming the receipt of the application. If the resident DOES NOT receive an email from VCS stating that the grant application has been received, assume that it was not. We recommend that you CALL VCS at (573) 823-8809 before the application deadline to confirm receipt of the application.