Application Guideline and Form

Background

Clinical research, particularly those involving novel laboratory technique and treatment often has resource implications. Conceivably, some good local researches in dermatology or venereology are abandoned due to resource limitations. A research scholarship is therefore set up by The Hong Kong Society of Dermatology & Venereology (HKSDV) in order to assist members and fellows in conducting clinical study.

Application

1. Any full member (ordinary or fellow) of the HKSDV who is the principal investigator of a dermatology/venereology research project is eligible for application.
2. The applicant needs to submit a properly written research protocol which includes the research title, issue or effective date, protocol and amendment version number, authors, investigators and their affiliations, other funding source, sponsor, background and rationale of research, data collection and analysis, study assessments and procedures, time line of research, expected form of output and, where appropriate, informed consent, ethical considerations or approval and description of investigational product(s) and resource implications.
3. Scholarship in the amount of HK$50,000 will be offered for each research project.
4. Each applicant can award a maximum of two scholarship over a period of two years. Nevertheless, to maximize the number of successful applicant, priority will be given to applicant who has not received prior research grant from the HKSDV.

Reviewing Process

1. Two council members will be nominated to form a Research Scholarship Review Committee and to review the project based on the considerations of (1) scientific merits, (2) study design and (3) feasibility and effective use of resources. Each item is rated on a five-point scale.
2. At the discretion the Council, the research protocol can also be passed to a maximum of two external reviewer(s) who is/are the expert of the research field.
3. The two nominated council members will monitor the progress and the output of research projects from time to time.
4. In general, a favorable vote is based on factors in the following considerations:
   1. Scientific rigor
   2. Benefit to patients
   3. Benefit to quality of service
5. On the other hand, the following are factors of an unfavorable vote:
   1. Administrative unfeasibility
   2. Potential harms outweighing potential benefits
   3. Unable to obtain ethical approval by the concern of local authorities/institutions
   4. Unsound scientific principles
6. The two reviewers will assess the research proposal and comment on the technical review report. After reviewing the reports, the Chairman of the Society will decide if the scholarship is granted. The final result and the reviewers' comment will be delivered by the Secretariat office to the applicant.

Research Progress

1. The investigator/applicant should provide the reviewers with the layout of the timeline of the project such as the project start date, duration of the project and the expected completion date. The investigator/applicant should report on the research progress periodically at least 6-monthly and upon request by the reviewers. It is meant to know the research is still under active progress and what stage the project has reached. Any amendment of protocol should be promptly reported to the reviewers.
2. The investigator is reminded that the approved protocol is to be strictly adhered to 'on-the-field' adjustments, such as collection of extra data or administration of extra tests. Any deviation from the informed consent is also unacceptable.
3. If the progress of a study is unsatisfactory, for reasons such as lack of resources, suboptimal recruitment, serious adverse events, etc., and if the reviewers find that continuation of a study would be against the interests of patients, consideration will be given to terminate the scholarship.

Output

1. Research output may be in various forms, such as dissertation or other peer-reviewed publications. The maximum time allowable for the study will be 3 years.
2. Upon completion of the study, the investigator needs to submit a brief report of the study to the Research Scholarship Review Committee for documentation, and an article concerning the research will be required for submission to the Hong Kong Journal of Dermatology & Venereology (HKJDV).

Payment

1. The investigator/applicant should give justifications of the project cost and resources implication, such as the cost of the laboratory kit / test / instrument. Supportive documents will be required.
2. The research scholarship will be paid to the principal investigator when the reviewers are satisfied with the research output, brief report and submission to the HKJDV.
3. The research scholarship is given out as reimbursement by paying against supporting documents and payment receipts up to a maximum of HK$50,000.

Download Application for Research Scholarship Form