Claflin Distinguished Scholar Awards

• The MGH Claflin Distinguished Scholar Awards provide funding for junior faculty women to sustain research productivity during their child-rearing years
• Current MGH recipients of awards provided under the Eleanor and Miles Shore Faculty Development Awards Program (Shore Fellowship) are not eligible to apply for the MGH Claflin Distinguished Scholars award, unless the Shore Fellowship award period ends before the Claflin start date. The Claflin review committee will consider applications from prior MGH award recipients, but not prior Claflin recipients.
• MD, PhD, or equivalent advanced degree
• Applicant must have a primary full-time appointment at MGH, and have an MGH job title indicating that you are conducting research (Instructor in Investigation, Assistant Investigator, Physician Investigator, PhD Investigator, etc.)
• Candidates must have an academic appointment at the level of Instructor or Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School. If the applicant's academic appointment or promotion is pending, a signed letter from the applicant's Chief must be included with the application. The letter should explain the status of the applicant's academic appointment. The Instructor or Assistant Professor appointment must be finalized before the Claflin review committee meeting 
• Candidate must be within 10 years of her first full-time faculty appointment at the time the award is initiated, cumulative of all institutions, inside or outside the United States
• Applicants should have evidence of salary support from a grant or other research funding source; for example, the applicant may be a principal investigator or co-investigator with active federal or non-federal funding salary support, such as a K award, R award, or a foundation grant. Note: Claflin funds are not intended to support the principal investigator's salary
• Submission of a project description which clearly states that the applicant is the principal investigator and that their academic progress would benefit from such funding support
• Evidence of strong research training, productivity, and a commitment to a career in fundamental (basic) and/or clinical research
• Upon application, the candidate must be responsible for the care of a child or children
• At Mass General Hospital we believe that because of diversity we excel.  Therefore, UIM (underrepresented in medicine) candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

Awards are effective July 1, 2024 and will be for two years. The awards are $60,000 in direct costs, plus 20% indirect costs per year. Funds may be used for support of a technician, postdoctoral fellow or graduate student and supplies. Funds cannot be used for support of the investigator's salary, food, parking, or travel expenses. Equipment, capital and non-capital, may not be purchased with the award funds. Exceptions require prior written approval from ECOR. All applicants will be notified of the results of the review process by e-mail. Our goal is to have these emails sent out before the HMS Shore deadline (typically early February).

Applications are now open for 2024! Find more information and apply here.

If you are applying for a Claflin Award, and would like help preparing your application, ECOR and the Office for Women’s Careers (OWC) encourages you to take advantage of the pre-award Claflin Consultation Initiative (CCI) for applicants.

The CCI is designed to help eligible faculty prepare their best application for the 2024 Claflin Distinguished Scholar Awards. Many prior Claflin winners have volunteered their time to answer questions and offer guidance and encouragement to potential applicants. Coaches may give advice on all aspects of the application, including the research plan, budget, and description of child-rearing responsibilities.

Would you like to learn more?

ECOR and the Office for Women’s Careers (OWC) presented a one-hour seminar for eligible applicants on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 on Zoom. The panel discussion covered the following: 

• Eligibility requirements
• Resources to improve your application
• Advice from recent Claflin Scholars
• How the award can advance your career

Watch the Zoom recording here.

Belisomo R. Grants help level the playing field for young moms in science. Reuters Health - Healthcare & Pharma 2015 Mar 27.

Jagsi R, Butterton JR, Starr R, Tarbell NJ. A Targeted Intervention for the Career Development of Women in Academic Medicine. Arch Intern Med 2007 Feb 26:167:343-345. (Brief report on the MGH Claflin Distinguished Scholar Awards)
»EDITORIAL COMMENT: Nattinger AB. Promoting the Career Development of Women in Academic Medicine. Arch Intern Med 2007 Feb 26:167:323-324.

1. I have been on the faculty for eleven years now, and believe this award would be very helpful now that I have had my first child. Can I apply?
You must be within ten years of your first academic appointment, cumulative of all academic institutions.

2. I am a research fellow, but anticipate that I will be an Instructor next summer. Can I apply?
Candidates must have an academic appointment at the level of Instructor or Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School at the time of application. If the applicant's academic appointment or promotion is pending, a signed letter from the applicant's Chief must be included with the application. The letter should explain the status of the applicant's academic appointment. The Instructor or Assistant Professor appointment must be finalized before the Claflin review committee meeting.

3. I am pregnant and this will be my first child. Am I eligible to apply?
No. You must be raising children at the time you submit the application.

4. I am a female faculty member with no children. Am I eligible to apply?
You must be raising children at the time of your application.

5. I split my time between MGH and BWH. Am I eligible to apply?
If your primary appointment is with MGH and your research is conducted at MGH, you are eligible to apply for this award.

6. My research office/laboratory is not located on the campus of MGH. Am I eligible to apply?
The research office/laboratory must be located on a MGH campus, i.e., Simches, CNY, Landsdowne, the main hospital.

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