Early Career Research Seed Grant Application Information

IHPBA Early Career Research Seed Grant

The IHPBA Early Career Research Seed Grant aims to address barriers faced by early career HPB surgeons, including limited access to funding, difficulty establishing research collaborations, and a lack of opportunities to lead research projects. Developed by the IHPBA Early Career Group (ECG) in collaboration with the IHPBA Research Committee, this programme offers financial support, promotes mentorship, and builds research leadership capacity.

Objectives

• Seed funding: Provide operating support to initiate and advance clinical research projects related to HPB surgery.
• Collaboration and mentorship: Encourage partnerships between early career researchers and established research teams to improve research quality and foster professional growth.
• Leadership development: Enable early career surgeons to gain experience as principal investigators, positioning them for future grants and independent research leadership.

Funding

Amount: Up to $20,000 over two years

• $10,000 in Year 1
• A conditional second-year award of $10,000 based on satisfactory progress

Scope

• Projects may be clinical, basic, or translational and must be relevant to HPB surgery.
• Funds may cover operating costs such as research personnel, data management, administrative support, evaluation tools, supplies, and literature reviews.
• Salary support for the applicant or co-investigators and travel to conferences are not eligible.
• Overhead or indirect costs are not allowed. 
• Preference is given to applicants with limited access to traditional funding mechanisms or existing research support.
• The seed grant may be combined with other sources of funding.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be IHPBA early career members (under 45 years of age or within 5 years of independent practice).
• Surgical trainees and fellows are eligible for this grant.
• Application Process
• A formal call for applications will be issued to IHPBA members, with a minimum 2-month submission window.
• Applications must be submitted in English through an online form and include the following:

1. Project title (max 80 words)
2. Research proposal: Background, Objectives, Methods (including outcomes and analysis plan), Significance (max 500 words)
3. Applicant details and research experience (max 500 words)
4. Applicant CV
5. Justification of need and impact of the funding on project feasibility (max 300 words)
6. Impact statement on HPB surgery and applicant’s career (max 300 words)
7. Budget summary (table format with line items and justifications; total request not to exceed $10,000 per year)
8. Other confirmed funding sources (if any)
9. A mid-career or senior research partner (encouraged but not required at time of submission)

Ethics and Compliance

• Projects involving human or animal subjects must have appropriate ethical approvals in place.
• All research must comply with relevant local regulations and guidelines

Reporting Requirements

• Grantees will be required to submit progress reports at 6 and 12 months.
• Release of Year 2 funding is contingent upon satisfactory progress, as demonstrated in Year 1 reporting.

Proposal Evaluation Criteria

Each application will be reviewed based on the following criteria:

Timeline for 2025–2026

For questions or additional information, please contact: lisa@ihpba.org

Applications are now closed.