Academy Funding Grants: Areas of Scholarship

Grant funding is through generous donations to the Academy. The Academy aims to support at least 2-3 yearly grants in amounts ranging from $10,000-25,000 to individuals submitting proposals for innovations in the areas of:

• Teaching strategies involving multiple levels of learners
• Relevant assessment tools for learning
• Integration of innovative technologies and asynchronous learning into the curriculum
• Patient-centered preventative care strategies

Academy Funding Grants: Areas of Scholarship

For Fall 2014 applications (funding cycle July 2014 to June 2015):

The following topics have been selected by the HSS Academy of Rheumatology Medical Educators as examples of areas of scholarship which best represent the funding priorities during this grant cycle.

Teaching strategies: 

• Longitudinal clinical experiences for trainees at various levels of learning (medical students through fellows) and teachers (faculty teaching fellows and fellows teaching residents)
• Innovative learning structures for clinics that attempt to integrate the learners at different levels of training (i.e., medical students, residents, and fellows) or across domains (i.e., doctors, nurses, and allied professionals)

Relevant assessment tools for learners: 

• Competency-based assessments, both qualitative and quantitative, of learner proficiency (i.e., professionalism, interpersonal skills, etc.)
• Procedural assessments (e.g., for arthrocentesis) that emphasize achievement of competence and confidence and define milestones at various learning stages
• Improving the standardization and reproducibility of assessment of knowledge and other skills in clinical settings (i.e., physical exam skills, procedures, etc)
• Assessments that emphasize comparisons of different learning modalities and their comparative utility

Integration of innovative technologies and asynchronous learning into the curriculum: 

• Curricula that successfully integrate and prioritize feedback
• Unique mentoring programs
• Integration of asynchronous learning tools in to the curriculum (i.e., computerized programs and lectures for self review)
• Use of innovations in technology and their successful integration in to the curriculum (simulators, digital teaching tools, etc.)

Patient-centered preventative care:

• Institution of patient care programs that teach preventative health care strategies.
• Patient-provider programs that are aimed at improving patient outcomes
• Educational programs in the areas of patient safety and quality

These ideas are not mutually exclusive; proposals that combine themes are acceptable as well. Faculty whose project ideas are not related to this year's funding priorities are still encouraged to submit proposals. Grants will not necessarily be restricted to prioritized areas.