International Postdoctoral Fellowship for foreign scientists in complementary and alternative medicine Date: 9 Jan 2003 13:50:27 -0500 NCCAM INTERNATIONAL POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP PA-03-050 APPLICATION RECEIPT DATES: April 5, 2003; December 5, 2003; December 5, 2004; December 5, 2005 National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) (http://www.nccam.nih.gov) NIH guide announcement: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-03-050.html The main goal of this Fellowship is to support training of foreign scientists in rigorous scientific research methodology at a clinical or basic research facility in the United States. The purpose of this training is to prepare these scientists to successfully conduct high-quality research in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) when they return to their home countries. NCCAM defines CAM as medical or health-related therapies practiced in the United States but not presently considered an integral part of conventional medicine in the United States (from NCCAM Five-Year Strategic Plan 2001-2005: http://nccam.nih.gov/about/plans/fiveyear/index.htm). As stated in NCCAM's strategic plan, CAM can be divided into five major domains. These domains are alternative medical systems, mind-body interventions, biologically based therapies, manipulative and body-based methods, and energy therapies. This NCCAM International Postdoctoral Fellowship specifically focuses on the domain of alternative medical systems, defined as complete systems of theory and practice that have evolved independently of, and often prior to, conventional biomedical approaches. Many of these alternative medical systems are actually traditional medical systems practiced in, as well as originating in, cultures throughout the world. Examples include, but are not limited to, traditional oriental medical systems, Ayurvedic medicine, Unani, and homeopathy. Fellows may focus their research on whole alternative medical systems common to or originating in their home country, or components of such systems. Components of such systems could include, but are not limited to acupuncture, herbal medicine, or forms of meditation. Through this international training initiative, NCCAM aims to increase the number and improve the quality of research and the competitiveness of its international research grant applications; to foster lasting collaborations between United States scientists and foreign scientists interested in CAM research; to build CAM research capacity and infrastructure in other countries; and, most importantly, to promote research in alternative medical systems or components of such systems by foreign scientists who reside in the countries where these medical systems originated and/or are practiced. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT This International Postdoctoral Fellowship is supported through the F05 mechanism, which is designed to "provide collaborative research opportunities for qualified non-immigrant alien scientists who hold a doctoral degree or its equivalent in one of the biomedical or behavioral sciences." The proposed postdoctoral training must be within the broad scope of biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research as it relates to alternative medical systems or components of such systems, and must offer an opportunity to enhance the fellow's understanding of the health-related sciences and extend his/her potential for a productive research career. WHERE TO SEND INQUIRIES Nancy J. Pearson, Ph.D. Program Officer National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Two Democracy Plaza, Suite 401 6707 Democracy Boulevard MSC 5475 Bethesda, MD 20892-5475 (0vernight express use 20817) Telephone: 301-594-0519 Email: pearsonn@mail.nih.gov mailto:http://www.health.gov/healthypeople ************************ Kathleen Michels, Ph.D Program Director International Research Collaboration and Career Development Programs Division of International Training and Research Fogarty International Center, NIH Building 31 Rm B2C39, Bethesda, MD 20892 Ph: 301-435-6031, fax: 301-402-0779 Michelsk@nih.gov FIC home page: http://www.nih.gov/fic/ **************************** -- Council on Health Research for Development Address: 11, Rue Cornavin, CH-1201 Geneva / Switzerland Tel : +41 22 591 8900 Fax: +41 22 591 8910 mailto:cohred@cohred.ch Web: http://www.cohred.ch/