Eligibility • The Application • The Institution • Mentors • The Award • Timetable • Interviews

AMFDP FAQs

What is the difference between the Minority Medical Faculty Development Program (MMFDP) and the Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program (AMFDP)?
The MMFDP was the precursor to the AMFDP. The MMFDP started in 1983 and selected its last cohort in 2003.

Eligibility
I have a green card and expect to apply for U.S. citizenship within a year. Am I eligible for this program?
You must have U.S. citizenship or be a permanent resident at the time of the application deadline.

There is already an MMFDP Fellow or AMFDP Scholar at my institution. May I still apply?
Yes.

I have a Ph.D. and am engaged in biomedical research at a medical school. Am I eligible?
No. You must have an M.D. or equivalent to be eligible. Please see LINKS.

I have a K award. Am I eligible?
We have no restrictions on our applicants or awardees having K awards. However, the NIH may, depending on the Institute, disallow applications by AMFDP Scholars. If there is any doubt, please contact the specific Institute at NIH and the AMFDP National Program Office for guidance on the timing of your application and/or the start date of your grant.

I am an Associate Professor. Am I eligible?
This program is intended for those just beginning their academic careers. In most cases, those at the Associate Professor level are far enough along in their careers not to need the kind of mentored experience this program provides.

I am an Assistant Professor. Am I eligible?
If you have been at the Assistant Professor level for only one or two years, you are still eligible for the program. If you have been at that level longer than two years, see the question above.

May I reapply if I have applied in the past?
Yes. In most cases we will have retained your transcripts. All other application materials will have to be new.

The Application

Are there any changes from last year's application process?
The application process for this year is almost identical to that for last year.

Why do I have to submit twelve paper copies of everything that I am submitting online?
This is for the convenience of the reviewers, as it is cumbersome for them to have part of the application only online, and part only on paper (transcripts, for example). Also, a number of hard copies are used in discussions and at the interviews, where it would be impractical to view electronic versions.

May I submit more than three letters of recommendation?
Yes.

May one of the letters of recommendation be from my mentor?
It is preferred that letters of recommendation come from those other than your mentor.

If I have identified two mentors, must both provide all of the information requested in the Letter to the Proposed Mentor?
Yes. They may either write separate letters, or collaborate on a single letter. However, if there are two letters, then both should be uploaded together to the Grantmaking Online system as one document. It is necessary to provide a biosketch for each.

What is an example of a Supplemental Document that may be uploaded?
Use of the Supplemental Documents template is optional, and we do not anticipate that many candidates will use it. A CV of someone who might supervise your work but who is not serving as a Mentor is one example. Keep in mind that, besides transcripts and letters of reference, only those documents that are both uploaded to the system and that we have 12 hard copies of will be sent out to reviewers.

What is the application deadline?
For 2008, the deadline for submission of electronic applications is 8pm EST (5pm PST) on March 19. The deadline for postmark of all other materials is March 20. THERE WILL BE NO TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE WEBSITE AFTER 5PM EST.

Why is the electronic deadline (March 19) different from the postmark deadline (March 20)?
The delay by one day in the postmark deadline gives applicants submitting an application in the final hours the chance to ensure that their paper applications are accurate and complete.

The Institution

May there be multiple applicants from the same institution?
Yes.

Can the award be used at an institution overseas?
No. Only research institutions within the 50 states are eligible.

Is there a specific list of institutions at which the award may be used?
No.

Mentors

Must a mentor be a U.S. citizen?
No.

Must a mentor have an M.D.?
No.

Must a mentor be a member of a minority group?
No.

Must a mentor be located at my institution?
In most cases, yes. Mentors should be close enough to ensure regular interaction and supervision. Please call the National Program Office at 317-278-0500 with specific questions.

Is it possible to have more than one mentor?
Yes, in cases where there is a compelling scientific or career reason to have multiple mentors.

I don't have a mentor. Will the National Program Office assist me in finding one?
No.

What happens if a mentor leaves an institution during the course of the award?
If the Scholar is not moving with the mentor, the Scholar must find a suitable mentor at the current institution. If the Scholar is moving, then an application must be made for the transfer of the grant. In either case, continued funding is not guaranteed.

The Award

What is the duration of the award?
Four years.

What is the maximum support for four years?
$420,000. This includes an annual $75,000 stipend, plus $30,000 per year for research support.

May I change institutions during the course of the award?
The award is portable; however, a new application must be made with the new mentor and institution. Continued funding is not guaranteed.

May I interrupt the award for my final year of clinical training?
No. You must have completed clinical training by the time you begin the award.

How much of my time must be devoted to my project?
You must be engaged in research activities for 70% of your time.

Are awardees permitted to have outside funding, for example, from the National Institutes of Health or another foundation?
Yes.

May the award be used in part to support work done at an institution outside the U.S.?
No.

Timetable
What happens after the initial application is submitted?
All applications are reviewed for completeness and eligibility, and then sent to a number of reviewers drawn from the National Advisory Committee and a panel of outside evaluators. Twenty-four applicants are selected as semifinalists to be interviewed. Up to twelve candidates will be identified after the interviews as finalists for the award.

When are applicants notified of the results of the initial review of applications?
All applicants are notified by late June.

When and where are the interviews?
For 2008, July 16-18 in Washington.

What happens if I can't come to the interview?
You will be asked to reapply the following year. In this case, please contact the National Program Office.

When are finalists notified?
By August of 2008.

What happens after finalists are notified?
Finalists are given the opportunity to submit an application to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, consisting of a research proposal, four-year budget, curriculum vitae, institutional letters, and a photograph.

When may I start if I am selected as a Scholar?
You may start January 1 or July 1 the year after selection.

If I am not selected, may I reapply?
Yes. The National Program Office will keep transcripts on file for three years. Letters of reference, mentor's information, and the proposal must be new for each year.

Interviews

Does my mentor come to the interview?
No, but your mentor should help you prepare your presentation.

Who pays for the trip to the interview?
The room and meals at the hotel will be paid, and economy travel will be reimbursed, by the National Program Office.

What is the format of the interview?
Approximately half of the candidates will arrive in time for a reception and dinner on Wednesday evening and will be interviewed on Thursday. The rest will arrive on Thursday in time for a reception and dinner, and will be interviewed on Friday. Candidates are asked to make 15-minute presentations about their research, which will be followed by 10 minutes of questions and discussion. Candidates are free to leave after their presentations.

May I use audio-visual aids as part of my presentation?
Yes. However, if you use a PowerPoint presentation, you must email it to the National Program Office in advance of the interview.