2023 Alex's Lemonade Stand POST Program Grant

Eligibility

Mentor and Mentee Eligibility

The following eligibility criteria apply:

• Mentors must be ALSF grantees (past or present, including those who have previously mentored POST
• students), Advisory Board, or Review Board members.
• Mentors must be active in the field of pediatric oncology research.
• The Mentor’s Institution must be in the U.S. or Canada. The Mentor/Mentee do not need to be U.S.
• citizens.
• Mentor/Student pairs must be identified prior to submitting an application.
• Mentor must commit to training the student by submitting a commitment letter with the application, and
• during the Program period plan training activities and provide guidance.
• Student must currently be enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate (only students pursuing a master’s
• degree are eligible, PhD students are not eligible), or medical degree-granting program.
• Student must be able to dedicate at least eight full consecutive weeks to the program, typically between
• May 1 and August 31. The dates may vary depending on the student’s scheduled break.
• Students seeking potential mentors may search the following lists but should know that mentors may have limited capacity to support summer students:
  • ALSF Advisory Board Members: www.AlexsLemonade.org/grants/review-boards.
  • ALSF Grantees: www.AlexsLemonade.org/grants/search.
• Mentors must also meet the "Project Holder" eligibility requirements of the University of Calgary. Applications must be submitted by the mentor.

Restrictions

• ALSF funds cannot be used for research utilizing human embryonic stem cells or non-human primates. Research with human induced pluripotent stem cells is permissible.
• Overlap with other funding sources for research or stipend is prohibited.
• Each mentor is allowed to submit only one POST application.
• Students may not work on a research elective, or curriculum-related activity during the POST Program time.
• The program will support qualified graduate candidates pursuing Master’s degree only. Doctoral students and candidates may not apply.
• If the student withdraws or does not complete the 8-week minimum, the remaining funds must be returned to ALSF.

Summary

The POST Program is a summer research internship designed for undergraduate, graduate (only students pursuing a master’s degree are eligible, PhD students are not eligible) and medical students interested in pursuing a career in pediatric oncology research. The goal of the ALSF POST program is to expose students to the field of pediatric oncology research while experiencing a real-time research project. It is expected that students will develop practical research skills and engage in a mentoring relationship with a pediatric oncology researcher.

POST provides an opportunity for students to train with a mentor who is conducting research in the field of pediatric oncology. A mentor/mentee pair is a prerequisite for applying. Students may join a research project underway in a mentor’s lab or begin an original investigation with the mentor. Although the mentor and the student should work together on the application, it should be submitted online by the mentor. Students may train at an institution other than their own college, graduate or medical school, and the internship should last 8-10 weeks during late spring/summer over a time period mutually acceptable to both the mentor and the student.

ALSF seeks to increase diversity in the pediatric oncology research community by supporting the next generation of biomedical researchers from underrepresented communities. Approximately 1/3 of the 2023 ALSF POST Program awards will be reserved for students who identify as being from a racial and/or ethnic group that is underrepresented in the scientific workforce as defined by the NSF and NIH. The following groups have been shown nationally to be underrepresented in biomedical research: Blacks or African Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, American Indians or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders. Please refer to Section A of the following NIH guideline to confirm eligibility: Notice of NIH’s Interest in Diversity -https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-20-031.html.

As of 2022, we have added three required virtual events to the POST Program to ensure that the students and mentors are introduced to one another, network, and share their experiences. There will be an Orientation/Welcome, webinar with guest speakers, and Speed Presentations by the students.

Scope of Project: Proposals must fall within the scope of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation’s mission, focused on childhood cancers. Proposals with a sole/primary focus on patients >19 years of age will not be considered.

Budget: A maximum of $5,000 will be awarded, and indirect costs are not allowed. Funds must be sent to and administered by the mentor’s institution. A specific lab may be designated. The budget may be allocated as follows:

• Student Stipend: At least $4,000 must be used for the student stipend over the program period.
• Supplies: A maximum of $1,000 may be designated for supplies associated with the student’s work (excluding equipment/computers, service contracts, or long-term supplies). Supplies should be for consumables during the program time period. The remaining balance must be used for the stipend.

Grant Requirements

• The student is expected to reach program goals and complete the submitted training plan. ALSF expects the student to become productive in their role on a project; however, completion of a full research project is not required.
• Attendance at seminars and other educational events related to the field, occurring at the mentor’s institution, is encouraged.
• Students are required to attend three ALSF POST Webinars and are encouraged to attend the additional networking events. Dates to be determined.
• Students are expected to respond to occasional follow-up surveys in subsequent years.
• A Final Report is due on September 18, 2023. The Final Report consists of a student narrative, student survey, and mentor survey.

Application deadlines

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

Application Process

1. Applications must be submitted by the mentor. To start an application, navigate to the ALSF portal and losing (or complete your one-time registration and then login).
2. Complete your application according to Program Guidelines and Instructions.
3. Before submitting your application, initiate internal university approvals by completing a Pre-Award/Application record in RMS (https://my.rms.ucalgary.ca/). Attach a PDF of your completed application (along with any additional required attachments) and submit for approvals from your department head and/or faculty Associate Dean (Research). NOTE: When submitting in RMS, please ensure that you allow time for academic approvals prior to the Research Services Office internal review deadline of 12:00pm MT, February 16, 2023.
4. Once these approvals are obtained, RMS will automatically forward the Application record to Research Services for institutional review and approval.
5. Research Services will review, provide feedback (by email) if necessary, and will provide the institutional approval. If digital or wet-ink signatures are required, we will provide the capping institutional signature and will advise when ready.
6. A fully approved Application, including any supplementary documentation, must be submitted via the ALSF portal by 6:00pm, February 21, 2023.