Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation announces young investigator awards

The Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation has announced the availability of ten awards of up to $1,000 for young investigators whose abstracts are selected for oral or poster presentation at the 2nd International Symposium on MR-guided Focused Ultrasound in Washington, D.C. from October 17 to 20, 2010.

The Young Investigator Awards are intended to encourage quality research by scientists-in-training and support them in presenting meritorious scientific papers at the symposium. Award recipients will be given special recognition during the symposium and receive funding for travel and lodging as well as free symposium registration.

Applications for Young Investigator Awards will be accepted from August 23 to September 6 and involve a two-step process:
1. Submission of an abstract online at http://www.meetingassistant2.com/FUSF2010/

2. Transmission of an email labeled "Young Investigator Award Application" to [email protected]. Emails must include: a copy of the submitted abstract (in either an MS-Word or PDF format); a curriculum vitae with a bibliography; a letter of recommendation from a mentor, section chief or department chair.

Letters of recommendation must include the following:
• Confirmation that the candidate meets the basic eligibility requirements
• Candidate's key accomplishments to date (or other forms of demonstrated excellence and recognition in the case of very junior trainees)
• Assessment of relevant scientific attributes (intellectual curiosity, drive, critical thinking, problem-solving)
• Potential for future success as a competitive investigator

Young Investigator Awards are open to graduate students, research fellows, clinical fellows and junior faculty members and have no restrictions regarding citizenship or residency. However, employees or subcontractors of private industry are not eligible for funding.

All applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
1. Belong to one of the following groups:
• undergraduate or pre-doctoral students still in training
• fellows who have completed training within the last four years
• Ph.D./M.D. faculty members appointed within the last four years
2. Be actively engaged in research in the field of MR-guided focused ultrasound
3. Have submitted an abstract via the symposium's online process
4. Be listed as the presenter of the abstract

Young Investigator Award recipients will be notified of their selection in early October. They will receive funding after submitting travel and lodging receipts to the Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation.