DDS Short Term Research Fellowships

ADAMS SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY
DDS SHORT-TERM RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
AWARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The research project should be designed so that it is possible to address its stated aims within 12 months
from the time of the Fellowship award. The Fellowship is supported by the “Grover C. Hunter and the Dora
Lee and John C. Brauer Dental Research Funds”, the funding source must be acknowledged in all
presentations and publications that emanate from the supported research project. Fellows are expected to
have frequent meetings with their advisors to facilitate their research experience and learning.

1. Applications will be accepted by an individual student (the applicant). Individual applications listing
   more than one student will not be considered.
2. Only faculty can serve as mentors. Only one mentor can be identified as the primary project advisor.
   This individual will accept overall responsibility for guiding the student and assuring the scientific
   integrity of the work completed. There can be additional mentors/advisors who fulfill specific roles
   on the student’s project. These individuals should be named in the research plan along with their
   role(s).
3. The fellowship recipients are expected to present their research findings at a UNC ASoD Research
   Day or other national or international research or professional meetings.
4. The fellowship consists of:
   4.1. $500 stipend for the student investigator
   4.2. Research Expenditures and Student Travel Reimbursement Allocation (Up to
   $2250 based upon appropriate budget justification and contingent on availability of
   funds) will be provided to the project mentor. A detailed budget must accompany the
   application. Changes in the approved budget require approval by the Office of Research.

• Research Expenditures (Typically up to $750; larger amounts may be
  considered with appropriate budget justification and contingent on
  availability of funds). Examples of allowable expenses include research
  supplies, consumables, reagents, core services, consultant fees, participant
  incentives, poster printing, etc.
• Student Travel Reimbursement (Typically up to $1500; larger amounts may
  be considered with appropriate budget justification and contingent on
  availability of funds). Examples of allowable expenses include fees for
  conference registration, hotel, flights, poster printing, etc.
  APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Research Support and Student Travel Reimbursement Budget will be allocated to the mentor for
offsetting some research expenses incurred for the successful execution of the proposed project. Please
include a detailed budget in your proposal. Examples of allowable research expenses include research
supplies, consumables, reagents, core services, consultant fees, participant incentives, poster printing,
etc.
COMPLIANCE
Research conducted will be compliant with university, EHS and ASoD policies. Projects that involve
human subjects must be accompanied by an IRB study number and the status of the application
(submitted, approved, exempt, not yet submitted). Projects involving human subjects cannot begin
without review and approval by the IRB. Projects that involve the use vertebrate animals must be
accompanied by an IACUC approval letter or the status of the IACUC application. Human subject’s
research online application, as applicable, can be obtained at https://research.unc.edu/human-researchethics/
online-submission/ Laboratory animal protocol form, as applicable, can be obtained at
https://acap2.research.unc.edu/acap/.

The research project should be designed so that it is possible to complete the scope of the proposed
work within a 12-month time frame. Discussions by fellowship recipients of research in progress
through meetings will be scheduled as appropriate and will be part of the research experience. All
applications should include:
a. research plan as outlined below,
b. signed student investigator agreement, and
c. signed student mentor agreement.

The research plan should be typed in 12-point font (Arial, Georgia, or Times Roman) with one-inch
margins.

Place the applicant’s name on the upper right-hand corner of every page.

Number all pages consecutively.
UNC-CH ADAMS SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY
DDS SHORT-TERM RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
May 2024

The research plan should not exceed four (4) pages.
a. Only sections 2 and 3 count towards the page limit.
b. Sections 1, 2 and 3 should be double-spaced.
c. Sections 4 – 8 should be single spaced.
d. Sections 4 and 5 and only included if appropriate for the project.

The original completed application and proposal should be submitted to Dr. Josh Little and
Myria Whitmore, Division of Oral and Craniofacial Health Sciences, Adams School of Dentistry (
jlittle1@email.unc.edu and mjwhitmo@unc.edu) by Friday June 21st, 2024, at 5:00 PM. Late or
incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Organize sections 1 and 2 of the proposal to answer the following questions: (A)What do you intend to
do (i.e., what question are you trying to answer or what void in the field are you trying to fill)? (B)Why
is the work important (i.e., how will answering the question of filling the void help)? (C) What has
already been done (what do you already know about the problem and potential solutions)? (D) How are
you going to do the work (what are you going to do to answer the question or fill the void)?
SUGGESTED FORMAT FOR THE RESEARCH PLAN TO BE SUBMITTED:

Abstract: Provide a summary description of the project’s specific aims, methodology and long-term
objectives. Give an overview of the significance of this project. The abstract (~200 words) should be
self-contained so that it can serve as a succinct and accurate description of the project.

Specific Aims: State what the research described in this proposal is intended to accomplish, i.e., what
are the project goals or specific research questions to be addressed.

Research Strategy
a) Significance and Innovation: Briefly sketch the background to the present proposal,
critically evaluate existing knowledge, and specifically identify the gaps that the project is
intended to address. State concisely the importance of the research described in this
application by relating the specific aims to longer-term objectives if applicable.
b) Preliminary Studies: Applicants may use this section to provide an account of the faculty
mentor’s relevant research program, other preliminary data, or previous studies pertinent to
the proposed research project.
c) Methods/Approach: Discuss in sufficient detail the experimental design and the procedures
to be used to accomplish the specific aims of the project. Describe your role as student
investigator for this project. Indicate what you will do to accomplish the project’s specific
aims. Describe the protocols to be used in sufficient detail. Include how the data will be
analyzed and interpreted and any statistical power considerations or sample size estimation.
Describe any new approaches to be used, and their advantages over existing methods. Discuss
any potential difficulties and limitations of the proposed procedures, and any alternative
approaches to achieve the aims. Point out any procedures, situations, or materials that may be
hazardous to personnel and the precautions to be exercised. An anticipated work schedule
should be provided.
d) Discuss the roles of other research personnel participating in the proposed research project or
any other expertise (e.g., consultants, research staff) that will be essential.

Human Subjects: If human subjects are involved, include the IRB study number and status of the
application (submitted, approved, not yet submitted).
UNC-CH ADAMS SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY
DDS SHORT-TERM RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
May 2024

Vertebrate Animals: If vertebrate animals are to be used in the project, include a completed copy of
the Laboratory Animal Protocol. State the species, strains, ages, and numbers of the animals involved.
If the animals are in short supply, costly, or to be used in large numbers, provide the rationale for their
use and their numbers. Describe the procedures for adequate care of any animals involved. Describe
the procedures to avoid unnecessary discomfort, pain, or injury to the animals involved by referring to
surgical anesthesia, post-trauma analgesia, tranquilizing drugs, and comfortable restraining chairs.

Literature Cited: Use the citation method commonly used in your field or recommended by your
mentor.

Other Support: Provide information about support available to you and your mentor to accomplish the
proposed research project. If other support or awards have been obtained, please provide the relevant
information. Support should be noted for any preliminary studies for the proposed research, and
continuity of productive research is encouraged. However, other awards to the student for this specific
project may disqualify this application from receiving funding through this fellowship mechanism.

Please contact Myria Whitmore for a copy of the agreement as outlined below.

UNC-CH ADAMS SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY
DDS SHORT-TERM RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
MENTOR CERTIFICATION AND AGREEMENT
Name of Student Investigator:
Project Title:

If awarded the DFNC and the specific fund that supported the student’s fellowship (Grover
C. Hunter and Dora Lee and John C. Brauer Dental Research Funds) will be acknowledged
in all publications and presentations.

Name of Faculty Mentor:
Title, Department:
Mentor Address/Telephone:
Signature of Faculty Mentor :
Date:Add your hidden blocks here

I certify that I have read and reviewed this fellowship application and research proposal with the student investigator and find it a suitable and valuable research project.

I understand that this proposed research is a short-term project and as the faculty mentor,
certify that I will assist the student in arranging for significant research involvement to meet the specific aim(s) of this project. I will have periodic meetings with the student researcher to monitor research progress, expect progress reports, and will provide timely feedback.

I understand that the DDS Short Term Research Fellowship support mechanism provides a
student stipend, and limited funding designated for offsetting research costs i.e. supplies and services. As faculty mentor for this project, I will assure that the student has access to
necessary resources in order to complete this project.

As faculty mentor for this research, I understand that this application should note support for preliminary studies for the proposed research, and continuity of productive research is
encouraged. I am also aware that other awardsmade to the student for this project
demonstrating significant scientific overlap in proposals may disqualify this application from receiving additional funding through this fellowship mechanism, since the Adams School of Dentistry fellowship resources are limited and cannot support projects for which students have received direct funding from other sources.

If the fellowship is awarded, I understand and agree to the Terms and Conditions of the
Award as outlined below.

If the student is to present his/her proposal research at a professional/scientific meeting,
limited funding through this fellowship opportunity may be available to assist in offsetting
some travel expenses. As faculty mentor, I understand that I am responsible for providing
additional or matching resources that may be required for the student to make such
presentations.

Please contact Myria Whitmore for a copy of the agreement as outlined below.

UNC-CH ADAMS SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY
DDS SHORT-TERM RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
STUDENT INVESTIGATOR CERTIFICATION AND AGREEMENT

Phone:
DDS1 DDS2 DDS3 DDS4
BS/BA MS PhD Other

Title of Project (limit 56 characters including spaces):
Name of Student Investigator:
DDS Box# Email:
PID#
Home Address:
Student Level as of Fall 2023:
Student’s Earned Degree(s)
Name of Mentor:
Mentor’s Position/Title: Mentor’s Department:
Project Approvals (If not applicable write NA, otherwise mark yes or no with an “X”)
Human Subjects Yes No
Hazardous Materials including biohazards Yes No
Vertebrate Animals Yes No Compliant with University EHS
Laboratory Safety Training? Yes No
Where will the project be conducted?

I certify that this proposal was primarily the effort of the student and if awarded I understand the Terms and Conditions of the Fellowship Award.
Student Investigator Signature: