GRANT GENERATING PROJECT

We are pleased to announce the continuation of the Grant Generating Project (GGP) through 2008-2009. It is with much thanks and pleasure we acknowledge the sponsors of this important research capacity building activity: the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the College of Family Physicians of Canada - Le Collège des médecins de famille du Canada (CFPC), the North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG), and the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM). Costs of the program are underwritten by generous financial contributions from sponsoring organizations, in addition to a modest fee paid by participating GGP fellows' home programs.

Beginning this year, the GGP Fellowship will be based in the Department of Family Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, and will be operated as a joint project of VCU and the Department of Family and Community Medicine at University of Missouri-Columbia.

From this web page, you'll find links to more information, including the background of GGP, current plans, application forms for the class of 2008-2009, and a list of key dates and activities. This web site will be the primary source of information on GGP and the preferred channel for applying for the fellowship.

There are two parts to the application. Part 1, a non-binding letter of intent to apply, will be due June 1, 2008, for those seeking acceptance into the 2008-2009 class. Part 2, a completed application including curriculum vitae, letters of recommendation and a first-draft concept paper, will be due June 30, 2008.

Please contact Dr. Daniel Longo in the GGP Program Office, Department of Family Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, with any questions about the program content and expectations (e-mail drlongo@vcu.edu; phone 804-828-9625). For questions about program logistics or assistance with the application process, contact Shari Schubert (schuberts@health.missouri.edu; phone 573-884-6609).

GGP fits with the research and scholarship capacity building needs of the discipline of family medicine in general, and specifically with the AAFP Plan to Enhance Family Practice Research. Family medicine researchers who wish to learn to write successful research grants as part of their development and training can take advantage of the GGP "fellowship without walls." For the 2008-2009 fellowship class we will select 10 fellows.

BENEFITS TO THE HOME DEPARTMENT

In addition to the potential for major research grant funding, participation in GGP will have other potential benefits to the home department of participating GGP fellows. Skills learned in GGP can be generalized to other grant-writing projects. Such training should have long-term benefit in preparation for future grant development activities.

In addition, GGP fellows can share what they learn with other department faculty, providing faculty development experience for the entire department.

GGP fellows and their departments will also derive benefit from the networking activities of the GGP, gaining valuable contacts with other family medicine researchers throughout North America.

Finally, the GGP experience, with its emphasis on critical thinking, analysis, and writing, will benefit GGP fellows in a variety of scholarly writing activities.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Daniel R. Longo, ScD
Professor, Department of Family Medicine
Virginia Commonwealth University
Telephone: 804-828-9625
Fax: 804-827-0227
drlongo@vcu.edu