The Office of Faculty Development is excited to extend an invitation for junior faculty members to participate and present a short talk at the upcoming Supportive Project Advancement & Research Kickstart (SPARK) Initiative/Forum. This program is designed to nurture and elevate scientific research ideas, intradepartmental collaborations with a particular focus on supporting junior faculty.
Interested applicants are encouraged to read more about the program below. Please note that you must complete a presentation before applying for funding.
The SPARK Initiative aims to:
- Support your innovation ideas and provide constructive feedback
- Advance innovative work from concept to implementation.
- Foster Research by encouraging researchers, across our department to work together
- Kickstart groundbreaking projects with seed funding and resources.
- Mentorship: Foster a mentorship environment where seasoned and junior faculty can share insights.
- Showcase Your Work: This is a unique platform for you to present your research ideas or ongoing projects or new innovative ideas to your peers and senior faculty.
- Seed Funding: Selected projects could receive initial funding to support your research journey.
- Mentorship: Engage with seasoned professionals in your field who can provide invaluable guidance.
- Networking: This is a prime opportunity for interdisciplinary interaction and potential collaboration during our followed happy hour.
- Register to give a short talk by submitting an abstract.
- Invite your colleagues and mentors once the date of your presentation is determined.
- Submit a project abstract and your top two preferred months to present using this form.
Once you have presented, please submit a proposal using our SPARK Funding Application form. Your proposal should include:
1. An abstract (150 words)
2. A Research Design/Educational Program statement (1000 words, excluding figures and references), including:
- Background
- Experimental Design/Educational Initiative
- Expected Outcomes/Deliverables
- References
3. A Future Directions statement (250 words) that answers the following questions:
- What are the long-term goals of this project beyond the proposed studies/initiatives?
- How does the proposed project fit into the overall research/educational program of the investigator and/or how does it open a new area of research or academic interest?
- How does the SPARK initiative support the career advancement of the faculty?
4. A desired funding allotment up to $5000; salary support is not allowed.
Matthew C. Hibberd, PhD
Assistant Professor, Pathology & Immunology
- Email: hibberdm@wustl.edu
Division: Laboratory & Genomic Medicine
Translational Research Representative, Office of Faculty Development
Eynav Klechevsky, PhD
Assistant Professor, Pathology & Immunology
- Phone: 314-747-6688
- Email: eklechevsky@wustl.edu
Division: Immunobiology
Translational Research Representative, Office of Faculty Development
Ulrike Lorenz, PhD
Professor, Pathology & Immunology
- Phone: 314-273-6143
- Email: ulrike@wustl.edu
Division: Immunobiology
SPARK Program Coordinator: Janet Braun
By being part of SPARK community, you’re not just advancing your own work—you’re contributing to our collaborative and the advancing the research within our department. We look forward to your participation and are excited to hear and support your innovative research.