Research Fellowships
The Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation sponsors research fellowships designed to support new and innovative research in Sjögren's syndrome. The Foundation places a high priority on clinical or basic research into the cause, prevention, detection, treatment, and cure of Sjögren's syndrome.

2004 Awardees Announced
The Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation is pleased to announce its 2004 research fellowship grants. The newest recipient is Shohta Kodama, MD, PhD, a post-doctoral fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School. Kodama recently announced success in regenerating pancreatic islet cells after they were destroyed by an autoimmune process in diabetic mice. Kodama will use the SSF fellowship award to see if the autoimmune damage from Sjögren's syndrome in salivary and lacrimal glands can similarly be reversed in mice.
The SSF has also awarded a second year's grant to Chuanqing Ding, MD, PhD, a research associate at the University of Southern California. Ding will expand on progress made during his 2003-04 SSF grant year in dry eye research and Sjögren's syndrome.

2003 Awardees
The Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation's 2003 research fellowship awards were named in April 2003 and began in July 2003. Recipients are Chuanqing Ding, a research associate at the University of Southern California, and Seunghee Cha, a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Florida. Ding will focus on dry eye in Sjogren's, examining the role of nitric oxide in lacrimal gland physiology and the potential involvement in development of the autoimmune response in Sjogren's when overproduced. Cha will focus on dry mouth, investigating the concept that antibodies bind to muscarinic receptors resulting in decreased saliva.

2005 Applications
Research fellowships are awarded in the amount of $35,000 annually, and applications for renewal may be submitted and considered for a second year. These research fellowships are open to basic and clinical scientists holding an advanced degree (MD, DMD, or PhD) at any US university or research institution. For physicians, advanced clinical training in a specialty related to Sjögren's syndrome such as rheumatology or ophthalmology is desirable. The application deadline is February 1, 2005.

Application Information:

Application Deadline: February 1, 2005
Start Date: July 1, 2005

A complete application package must be submitted that includes the following:

• Personal Profile Form (contained online).
• Research proposal abstract (maximum 250 words) and a lay-language version for publicity purposes (50 - 100 words in simple language summarizing the proposed research and its significance).
• List of publications. If none, previous research accomplishments.
• Reprints of above publications (no more than 5).
• Budget for proposal. Please provide itemized budget and narrative justification.
• Research proposal: The presentation should be a detailed description of the proposed research, not to exceed five pages of single-spaced typing. Applications longer than five pages will not be reviewed. Literature cited and figures and charts should be listed separately. If not obvious, the relation of the proposed project to Sjögren's syndrome should be explained.
• Letter of Recommendation from proposed supervisor nominating the applicant. This letter should describe how the proposed training might foster a career devoted to Sjögren's syndrome. It may be sent directly to the Foundation by the supervisor or included with the application.
• Letter from an authorized financial officer guaranteeing adequate facilities and research expenses. This letter should also include a statement that the institution will administer the grant according to the SSF guidelines.
• A letter of reference from a current or former professor or supervisor.
• Principal investigator's signed statement of responsibility, which will include follow-up progress reports as stipulated in conditions of award.
• Self-addressed postcard to acknowledge receipt of application.

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