IPNA Clinician Scientist Academy – Call for Mentors

Dear IPNA Community,

Leadership of IPNA at the Calgary 2022 Congress identified that “Generating new knowledge: Using the global IPNA network for clinical research” is a new and key priority. The development of an IPNA Clinician Scientist Academy will be one component to advancing this mission. The Academy will foster development of clinical research methods expertise in defined cohorts of pediatric nephrologists globally. 

The IPNA Clinician Scientist Academy will be comprised of a co-Chair (Jonathan Craig), co-Chair (Susan Samuel), ~20 faculty Mentors and cohorts of early career researchers (Fellows). Criteria for entry of fellows would include equity considerations, membership of IPNA, early career (as defined by IPNA), evidence of institutional support, and demonstrated potential for leadership in clinical research. 

The Fellows will have access to a structured training program of 1-year duration, with an optional one-year support in building up or completing a clinical research study. The training program would include a monthly online core seminar series on a broad range of clinical research methodologies; the seminars will run in two different time slots to facilitate global attendance.  More advanced and specialised monthly research in progress seminar series will commence in the second half of the year which will provide more advanced skills, consisting of group workshops for participants to develop their own research proposals with input from experts and other fellows. No monetary awards are associated with the program.

At this time, we invite clinical research leaders to join the Academy as Mentors.  Mentor selection will be guided via a structured application process and review of qualifications by IPNA leadership. Appointment term will be for 3 years. Criteria for evaluation would include evidence of clinical research expertise in at least one of: diagnostic tests, screening studies, cohort studies, randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, clinical practice guidelines, qualitative methods, patient engagement in research, or basic biostatistical methods.  Other educational skills, experience in capacity development, and equity will be considered in the selection. Faculty who apply should be willing to mentor 1-2 fellows to develop and implement a clinical research project over a period of 3 years, and are expected to attend an annual in person meeting concurrent with an IPNA sponsored event.

Prospective mentors: please complete the application form below: https://form.jotform.com/240803579152356

The deadline for submission is June 30, 2024.

Best wishes,

Susan Samuel, Co-Chair of the IPNA Clinician Scientist Academ
Jonathan Craig, Co-Chair of the IPNA Clinician Scientist Academy