EHA-ASH Translational Research Training in Hematology (TRTH) Award

About

The EHA-ASH Translational Research Training in Hematology (TRTH) Award provides young researchers a unique, year-long training and mentoring experience. The program is focused on helping early-career scientists build successful careers in hematologic translational research, including pathogenesis, diagnostics, and experimental treatment of hematological disorders.

Twenty early-career scientists are selected each year to participate in this rigorous training program. The faculty includes international leaders in hematology who cover biostatistics and biomarkers, genetics and molecular biology, ethics, and phase I clinical study design.

Educational Objectives of the Curriculum

The TRTH program offers trainees the opportunity to:

• Understand the principles of translational research design and execution, including clinical trials with correlative science objectives.
• Detail the ethical and regulatory issues of translational research.
• Learn the fundamentals of competitive grant writing, abstract presentation, and manuscript preparation.
• Further develop and improve the quality of their own research proposals through input from faculty and peers.
• Learn strategies for pursuing and developing a successful career in hematology research.
• Discuss approaches to forming and sustaining a multi-disciplinary translational research team.
• Practice and advice on presenting your work to diverse audiences and preparing research results for publication.
• Develop contact with other trainees to facilitate future collaboration.
• Meet leaders in translational and clinical research who can enhance professional networking opportunities.

The Year-Long TRTH Program

Spring Course

The TRTH program begins with an intensive week-long course held in the spring. Mornings are dedicated to didactic and interactive sessions which further trainees understanding of translational research methodology and regulatory requirements. Afternoons are devoted to small group sessions in which trainees meet with their mentors to refine their individual research proposals. Informal presentations by leading in hematology experts, designed to illustrate the variety of pathways to a successful career in hematology research, take place in the evenings.

The week-long spring course includes the following components:

• Principles of translational research
  An overview of methodologies for designing and executing clinical research studies with laboratory correlatives will be presented. Topics will include stem cell research and animal models, live cell and in vivo imaging, flow cytometry, cell therapy, cell and biobanking, design of clinical trials, principles of bioinformatics, molecular pathogenesis including genetics and epigenetics, pharmacogenomics, diagnostics and biomarkers, and identification of molecular targets.

• Ethics in hematologic translational research
  Discussions will focus on ethical and regulatory issues in Europe and North America related to translational research. Topics will include good clinical practice (GCP), quality care assurance, good manufacturing practice (GMP), relationships with the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, and intellectual property.

• Career development insight
  Career retrospectives are provided from leading hematologists with a broad experience in translational research. Hematology pioneers will speak about their personal and career challenges and successes, and maintaining a work-life balance.

• Small-group working sessions
  Small working group sessions enable trainees to refine their research projects together with other trainees and faculty.

• Presentation of research proposals
  Trainees will present their proposals at the beginning of the course; at the end, they will present revised proposals that incorporate the changes made throughout the week.

Follow-up meetings

Two follow-up meetings provide additional opportunities for trainees to develop professional interaction with peers and mentors.
The first follow-up meeting takes place during the EHA Annual Congress in June. At this meeting TRTH trainees and faculty will continue to refine projects through small group mentoring sessions.
The second and final follow-up meeting is held in conjunction with the ASH Annual Meeting in December. During this meeting, TRTH trainees present updates on the progress of their projects and careers since the conclusion of the spring course.

Eligibility

The TRTH Award is offered to postdoctoral medical, biomedical and pharmaceutical translational scientists who are early in their careers and active members of EHA and/or ASH.

• MD applicants must have less than 12 years of post-MD training.
• PhD applicants must have less than 8 years of post-PhD training.
• All applicants must be active members of EHA and/or ASH.

Restrictions

• Applicants who have been accepted to ASH’s CRTI and are still within the CRTI year (August-May) are not eligible to apply for the TRTH program until after they have completed the CRTI term.

• Applicants who have been granted an EHA Fellowship are not eligible to apply for the TRTH program during the two-year research period of the awarded project.

How to Apply

Step 1: Submit your letter of intent, along with the TRTH application form, your CV, and your project abstract by September 1. Applicants who have fulfilled the requirements will be invited to apply with a full proposal.
Step 2: Upon invitation to apply with a full proposal, submit your comprehensive translational hematologic research project proposal. Proposals must be submitted according to the stated guidelines by October 1.
All application materials must be submitted electronically to training@ehaweb.org

Proposal Guidelines

The focus of the program is on laboratory-based translational research. The proposals must be hypothesis driven and directly connected to some aspect of human biology. Projects may encompass any form of cellular, molecular, structural, biochemical, genetic, or other appropriate experimental approach using human biological material or human subjects with the aim of reaching novel insights into human biology. Pilot and early phase clinical studies translating the laboratory discoveries "to the bedside" may be included in the proposal; however, pure clinical trial projects with laboratory correlatives will not be prioritized. Proficiency in English is required.
Please follow the proposal guidelines detailed in the application procedures.

Evaluation of Applicant Proposals

A study section will review all eligible applications. Research proposals will be evaluated on the importance of the hypothesis and specific aims, the originality, the clarity and the feasibility, and funding for the project.
Awardees will be notified by December 1.

Costs

There is no registration or application fee, however, by applying, applicants agree that they will participate in all three meetings and respond to follow-up surveys in the future. In addition, trainees agree to sign a confidentiality statement with respect to all information provided in the program.
Food and hotel costs for the spring course are covered by EHA and ASH. Trainees will receive two nights hotel per follow-up meeting. A fixed travel budget of up to EUR 750 per meeting will be provided based on economy class airfare. Any additional hotel nights and airfare above the fixed travel budget amount shall be paid by the trainee or his/her institute.
If there are special circumstances regarding the trainee's or institute's ability to cover any additional costs, applicants are still encouraged to apply. The mentor should include an addendum that explains the financial difficulties that exist.

For More Information

Please contact the EHA Executive Office at:
training@ehaweb.org or +31 (0)70 3020 0299