Research Mentoring Program

AOSSM is initiating a research mentoring program that will bring together individuals who have shown scientific promise at an early stage of their careers with senior clinician-scientists who have highly successful research programs.  The primary goal of this program is to help younger members obtain grant funding from a large national organization such as the NIH.  The program is designed for those who do not have a natural mentor at their own institution and who do not have an ongoing mentoring relationship.  The official mentorship relationship will have a term of two years.  It is hoped, however, that the individuals find the experience sufficiently enriching that they will continue longer-term contact, support, or collaboration. 

Program components include:

    • the development by the mentee of a research grant application to a federal funding agency by the end of the

        two-year program (required)
    • paid travel for two visits each year by the mentee to the mentor’s site for 1-2 days 
    • paid travel for one visit by the mentor to the mentee’s institution (optional)
    • paid attendance at a grant-writing workshop
    • $2000 annual stipend to mentors 
    • $500 travel stipend to attend AOSSM or AAOS Annual Meetings to discuss mentee’s grant

        application and progress

Potential mentors and mentees will apply as pairs to participate in the program.  The mentor and mentee will be considered jointly to be the “applicant.”  We encourage potential mentees to contact senior researchers with outstanding research records (including but not restricted to those who have obtained NIH-level grants).  The mentor should be at a different institution and does not need to be an orthopaedic surgeon.  The mentee must submit a CV and a personal statement that articulates his or her short- and long-term career goals, research experiences and interests, goals for the mentoring program, and an action plan with the mentor to achieve these goals.  The mentor must submit a CV and a statement of his or her commitment to provide mentorship to the mentee.  Applications will be reviewed by the Research Committee and up to five pairs will be selected for participation in the program.  Please submit all application materials and any questions to Bart Mann, AOSSM Director of Research. The application deadline will be March 15, 2013.

This program is made possible through a generous grant from ConMed Linvatec.