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PCCSDP provides value added to the training of pediatric critical care scientists by acting in a complementary manner to the local institution. Activities of value to the PCCSDP Scholar include the following:
- Assistance with original application, by the Program Director
- Interviews and interactions with National Advisory Committee members
- Assistance with preparation of extramural grant proposals
- Site visits of Phase I Scholar training instituions to verify training environment
- Participation at the annual PCCSDP retreat
Applicants may contact the Program Director, who can provide assistance in contacting potential mentors, and provide helpful input into career development ideas and research proposals. The Program Director will not assist with writing applications, but can provide helpful advice to applicants because he does not play a role in selection of PCCSDP Scholars. Selection of Scholars is the responsibility of the National Advisory Committee.
Interaction with the leaders and outstanding scientists who comprise the National Advisory Committee is a major benefit to participants in the PCCSDP. These interactions will include interviews of applicants during the selection process, scientific interaction at the annual retreat, discussion of the applicants' and Scholars' academic and research development plans, and presentation of selected faculty development topics by committee faculty and guest speakers. In addition, the committee will convey expectations to each applicant and Scholar, particularly with respect to the timeline for seeking the next level of research funding.
Phase I scholars will begin early preparation of K08 or K23 proposals for submission to the NIH. The PCCSDP will help provide structure to this timeline by interactions between the National Advisory Committee and the Scholar, both at the annual retreat and throughout the year. Phase I Scholars should write a two to three page draft outline of a K08 or K23 proposal or, in rare instances, an R01 proposal, by the end of the first 12 to 15 months in the program. This draft may be submitted to the PCCSDP and then disseminated to National Advisory Commmittee members for constructive feedback. This activity is optional but highly recommended.
At least six weeks prior to the NIH submission deadline, the Scholar should send a nearly complete draft and the PCCSDP may do a mock review, providing pink sheets back to the Scholar and mentor in ample time for the Scholar to improve the proposal based on those comments. If the National Advisory Committee does not have appropriate expertise to provide this review. In this manner, the Scholar will have an opportunity to obtain an initial, external, rigorous scientific evaluation for their proposal in time to not waste a cycle in the NIH peer review process. If a Scholar achieves K award funding, then the Scholar will automatically transfer into Phase II.
The Program Director or a designee from the National Advisory Committee will site visit each training institution on an annual basis during Phase I training. During these site visits, the Program Director will meet with the Scholar, the training mentor, the critical care Division Chief, and the Pediatric Department Chairman. The Program Director will verify that the institution is meeting its obligations to the Scholar as outlined in the original application submitted by the Scholar.
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