Simulation Academy Novice Research Grant

Purpose of the Award

The SAEMF/Simulation Academy Novice Research Grant provides $5,000 for a one-year period starting July 1 to promote junior and new investigators in simulation-based research and scholarship. With this goal in mind, we welcome a broad range of projects that increase the body of knowledge in simulation-based endeavors, educational innovations, and applications within different facets of emergency medicine care, training, and systems research, such as medical education, clinical operations, and patient safety. The objective is to provide seed funding to support experiential training and career development for investigators in emergency medicine who have shown promise in simulation-based scholarship.

Expectations of the Award

For the purposes of this award and in regard to the expectation of the research grant project, the definition of simulation includes the use of high-fidelity manikins, partial task trainers, virtual/augmented reality, serious games, standardized patients, simulation scenario or assessment tool development, computational modeling, and/or any hybrid models and protocols.

The SAEMF/Simulation Academy Novice Research Grant project is expected to:

1. Address a novel research question or idea relevant to simulation in emergency medicine. However, the project does not have to be a medical education-based research project. The project may address other types of research topics that are applicable to the practice of emergency medicine. The project may involve simulation as a modality, investigate a simulation modality as a methodology for clinical inquiry (quality improvement, patient safety) and/or study the component(s) of a simulation modality.

2. Utilize a rigorous study design and apply an established framework. The collection of qualitative data may be included in the project. We encourage inclusion of high-level outcomes that ultimately lead to improvements in clinical performance or patient outcomes.

3. Provide a product or outcome that can potentially be used to improve evaluation, training or patient care for researchers and educators within SAEM and emergency medicine.

4. Provide a product that can potentially be useful for researchers and educators within SAEM and emergency medicine.

The SAEMF/Simulation Academy Novice Research Grant awardee is expected to:

1. Attend the SAEM Annual Meeting during the award year.

2. Submit interim and final progress reports in accordance with SAEMF instructions.

3. Submit an abstract reporting the results of the research project for presentation at the SAEM Annual Meeting. As the selection of research abstracts is a competitive process, acceptance is not assured.

4. Publish a manuscript (first-authored by the awardee) arising from the project in a peer-reviewed journal within two years of completing the award.

An applicant for the SAEMF/Simulation Academy Novice Research Grant must:

1. Be a member of SAEM and the SAEM Simulation Academy in good standing at application deadline and during the entire award period.

2. Have an advanced/doctoral or terminal educational degree (e.g., MD, DO, PhD, PharmD, DSc or equivalent).  

3. Hold a university appointment in or be actively involved (e.g., have an adjunct appointment) with a department or division of emergency medicine or pediatric emergency medicine at the start of the award period. The applicant may work as a clinician at an institution other than the host institution or the institution at which the project will be conducted.

4. Be an early career researcher, defined as completing initial residency training within eight (8) years of the start of the award period. SAEMF will consider requests for exceptions to this requirement for various reasons, including but not limited to medical concerns, disability, and active-duty military service. Each of these requests is reviewed on a case by case basis, and must be made prior to the application deadline. SAEM will approve an automatic extension of one year for childbirth within the early career period. All extension requests must be made to grants@saem.org before the nomination deadline. Fellowship training does not affect the requirement for defining an early career researcher.

5. Not have received extra-mural simulation-based research funding as a primary investigator. Previous funding obtained as a co-investigator is allowed. Funding from the applicant’s own department is not included in this requirement.

6. Indicate intention for a long-term plan for a career in emergency medicine simulation research and conducting projects that may lead to grant-funded simulation research.

In addition to the general requirements outlined in the SAEMF Grants Eligibility Criteria, the applicant’s host institution is expected to:

1. Have an established simulation program, whether a mobile simulation laboratory, in-situ program or permanent simulation center.

2. Demonstrate a track record of involvement and commitment to simulation at local, state, and/or national levels. In the majority and ideal circumstances, the host institution should have an accredited emergency medicine residency program.

3. Agree to provide equipment necessary for the completion of the research project.

Full Eligibility Criteria, Detailed Instructions, and Additional Information for SAEMF Grants can be found here.

Updated March 13, 2023