| Frequently Asked Questions |
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| What is the A. P. Giannini Foundation? |
A. P. Giannini, the founder of the Bank of America, created the A. P. Giannini Foundation, formerly the Giannini Family Foundation, in 1945.
The A. P. Giannini Foundation supports medical research fellowships and organizations engaged in research and education to improve the quality of life for people with hemophilia.
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What is the A. P. Giannini Foundation Fellowship? |
The A. P. Giannini Foundation Fellowship Program supports promising, young investigators in the early stages of their postdoctoral training in medical research.
The proposed research may be in the basic sciences or applied fields. The research should help to advance the translation of basic biomedical sciences into new treatments, preventions and cures for human diseases and contribute to the alleviation of human suffering.
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How Many Fellowships Has the Foundation Awarded? |
Since 1951, the Foundation has awarded 600 fellowships to postdoctoral biomedical researchers at California’s eight accredited medical schools.
The Foundation awards six to eight new fellowships annually on a competitive, peer-review basis. Fellowships can be funded up to a maximum of three years based on satisfactory performance.
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What are the Eligibility and Qualification Requirements? |
The Fellowship Program is open to men and women in the early stages of their postdoctoral training. The Foundation does not award fellowships to advanced fellows and established scientists. Clinical house-staff training does not count as postdoctoral laboratory training.
Eligible candidates must hold or receive a Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy or equivalent degree before the fellowship begins and be a citizen of the United States or a permanent alien resident.
Candidates must be sponsored by one of California's eight accredited medical schools and perform their research under the guidance of a principal investigator designated by the medical school.
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What are the Responsibilities of the Sponsor and Principal Investigator? |
| The Principal Investigator must be willing to supervise the candidate's research training and guarantee the candidate will have adequate laboratory space, equipment and supplies throughout the fellowship. The Principal Investigator may supervise a maximum of two Giannini fellows each year.
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What are the Fellowship Stipends? |
The current stipend is $40,000, $41,000 and $44,000 per year up to maximum of three years.
The Foundation reviews the competitiveness of the fellowship stipends each year and will announce the 2009 fellowship stipends after November 1, 2008.
Stipends are paid directly to the sponsoring medical school and can only be used for salaries. First year fellows receive a one-time award of $2,000 to help defray relocation and personal setup expenses. The use of this award is wholly at the discretion of the fellow’s supervisor, except that no part may be used for institutional overhead.
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Can I accept Another Fellowship or Traineeship? |
Fellows may accept another fellowship or traineeship as long as this award does not exceed the annual stipend from the A. P. Giannini Foundation.
Candidates must state in their application the source and amount of other income they expect to receive during the fellowship. Other income will not preclude favorable consideration of an application.
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What Other Grant Conditions apply to the Fellowship? |
Candidates awarded a fellowship must comply with the following conditions:
- Complete at least twelve months of the fellowship before accepting another fellowship or traineeship that exceeds the dollar amount of the A. P. Giannini Foundation stipend.
- Notify the Foundation promptly if their plans change and they are unable to complete the fellowship.
- Devote at least 80% of their time to research. Fellows may include some time for study and clinical experience.
- Submit a brief report at the end of each grant year to the Foundation describing the progress of their research project and fellowship experience.
- Acknowledge the support of the A. P. Giannini Foundation in all published papers resulting from their research and provide the Foundation with a reprint of each publication.
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| When can I start My Fellowship? |
The customary starting date is July 1 but in no event earlier than April 1. Fellowships should be activated before December 31, 2009.
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| Where can I obtain a Fellowship Application Form? |
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Online at www.apgianninifoundation.org, or from the Office of the Dean at any accredited California medical school or the office of the A. P. Giannini Foundation.
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What do I need to Include with My Application? |
Candidates are encouraged to work closely with their
principal investigator (prospective supervisor) and grants officer to
prepare their application far enough in advance of the deadline to avoid
error and omission.
The deadline for submitting an application to the 2009 Fellowship Program
is November 30, 2008. The Foundation will not consider late
applications nor accept applications by email or fax.
Reference
Letters
The Foundation requires three reference letters from
professors, supervisors or collaborators who are familiar with the
candidate’s work during the past three years. One of the three references
for candidates who hold a Ph.D. degree must be the doctoral thesis
advisor.
The candidate’s principal investigator (prospective
supervisor) cannot be one of the three references.
Referees should comment on the candidate’s scientific
background, achievements and ability to contribute to the field of
research. It is important for referees to submit their communications
to the Foundation in a timely manner. All reference letters should be
sent directly to the Foundation by November 30, 2008.
Application
Items
The completed application includes one copy of the
following documents.
(Please do not staple any documents.)
2009 Application Form.
Curriculum vitae and bibliography of
publications.
(Please do not send copies of published
articles, colored photographs or other visuals.)
Non-technical Statement (not to
exceed 200 words).
Title and brief description of the
proposed research for non-scientific audience.
Significance of the Proposed
Research (not to exceed one page). Describe the practical application
of the research beyond the laboratory and its potential to advance the
translation of basic biomedical sciences into new treatments, preventions
and cures for human diseases and contribute to the alleviation of human
suffering.
Technical Statement of the proposed research
(not to exceed five pages, excluding bibliography).
Outline the significance of the research problem, the hypotheses,
methodology, expected results, and the dates when the research will begin
and be completed.
Curriculum Vita of Principal Investigator
(not to exceed two pages). Include a list of public and private research
grants and institutional funding.
Endorsement Letter from the
Principal Investigator (Prospective Supervisor).
The
Principal Investigator should comment on the significance of the candidate's
proposed research and research potential.
The Principal Investigator should indicate
his/her willingness to:
- Accept the candidate, if awarded a fellowship
- Supervise the fellow's research training
- Guarantee adequate laboratory space, equipment and supplies
- Reimburse an out-of-state candidate for travel expense to
California for an interview.
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| Where Do I Send My Completed Application? |
All applications and reference letters should be sent to:
 John and Ken Blum, Administrative Directors
A. P. Giannini Foundation
57 Post Street, Suite 510
San Francisco, CA 94104
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What happens After I submit My Application? |
The Foundation's Scientific Advisory Committee reviews and ranks all applications and selects 20-22 candidates for personal interviews. All candidates will be advised of their status in the review process by January 20, 2009.
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When are the Interviews held? |
| The Scientific Advisory Committee will interview the finalists for the 2009 Fellowship Program on Friday, February 27, 2009.. The Foundation will notify finalists of the time and place of their interview and will reimburse them for reasonable travel expenses within California.
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When will the Foundation announce the 2009 Awards? |
| The Foundation will notify the finalists of the 2009 awardees by March 2, 2009. |
For Further Questions About the Fellowship Program or Application Procedures, please call or email Ken and John Blum, Administrators, at (415) 981-2966 or
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