Award Recognition

The American Burn Association is pleased to offer to its members a number of awards, grants, and fellowship opportunities to advance the educational and research needs of burn care professionals.  Following is a brief summary of many of the ABA 's major programs in this area.  For further information or to obtain an application, send an email to info@ameriburn.org or call the ABA Central Office at (800) 548-2876 or (312) 642-9260. 

Education Exchange Program
The Education Exchange Program provides funds to non-physician ABA members who wish to visit other burn centers to gain added clinical expertise in burn care.  A maximum amount of $1,500 is provided to the successful applicant to reimburse incurred expenses associated with the Program.  Up to 3 grants are awarded per year by the ABA Education Committee.  Applications must be received at least 3 months before the anticipated start of the Program, and an applicant should be an ABA member for at least one year.

International Education Exchange Program
Th e International Education Exchange Program provides funds for members of the burn care team from other nations, particularly developing countries, to visit burn units in the United States or Canada.  A maximum reimbursement of $2,000 is provided to the successful applicant to help defray the cost of travel expenses. Up to 3 grants are awarded per year by the ABA Education Committee.  Applications must be received at least 3 months before the anticipated start of the Program.  Although primarily directed toward non-physicians, physicians from developing countries will also be considered for the Program. 

Visiting Professor Program
The Visiting Professor Program provides funds for physicians, educators, or specialists to present their expertise in burns at a hosted burn center facility/institution.  The award, a maximum of $2,000, is granted to the facility; it can be used to provide an honorarium to the Visiting Professor and/or to help defray the cost of his/her travel expenses.  It is strongly suggested, but not required, that the proposed Visiting Professor be an ABA member. Up to 3 grants are awarded per year by the ABA Education Committee.  Applications must be received at least 3 months before the anticipated start of the Program, and should be made by the requesting institution-not the Visitor.

Burn Prevention Award
The Burn Prevention Award is awarded at the ABA Annual Meeting to an ABA member for contribution in at least one of the following four areas:  (1) Prevention effort shall have worldwide, nationwide, or statewide impact; (2) If on a local level, it must be replicated in two or more local areas and serve as a model of prevention effort; (3) The collection and reporting of epidemiological data should serve as the basis for state or national prevention efforts; (4) It should have a major influence on shaping the careers of other burn prevention workers. An individual is eligible for this award each year if the work is new and significant and continues to fulfill at least one of the above criteria. The award, under the auspices of the ABA Burn Prevention Committee, includes an honorarium of $1,500. Individuals wishing to nominate an ABA member for this award must submit the completed nomination forms by January 30.

Traveling Fellowship
The Traveling Fellowship award is given at the ABA Annual Meeting to an ABA physician member or postdoctoral fellow who has given evidence of a continuing interest and productivity in the field of burn care, teaching, or research. A candidate's work in the field is anticipated to continue after the proposed travel, and to be advanced by the travel.  A maximum reimbursement of $5,000 is provided to the successful applicant to underwrite the recipient's travel expenses. For award consideration, candidates should submit:  (1) a CV; (2) a letter detailing the travel that she/he proposes to undertake that identifies the specific benefits related to her/his career development to be obtained from the travel; and (3) a letter of support from the chief of a surgical service or burn center with which the applicant is associated.  Materials must be submitted by January 1.

President's Continuing Education Grant
The President's Continuing Education Grant is given at the ABA Annual Meeting to a non-physician member who has made significant contributions to the care of the burned patient.  The grant is designed to allow personal development via continuing education.  The award amount of $500 cannot be used to finance continuing education as part of a degree program. Applicants must be sponsored by a physician who submits a letter outlining the applicant's outstanding contribution to the field of burn care. Up to 3 grants per year are awarded; selection is made by the ABA President. Applications must be submitted by January 1. 

Other Awards-The International Association of Fire Fighters
The International Association of Firefighters Burn Foundation Research Grants include the following areas of focus:  Quality of life issues, pain management, physical and psychological rehabilitation, and wound healing and scarring especially in children. The IAFF feels that because basic science issues, molecular biology, and early wound healing are the focus of other granting agencies, the IAFF should concentrate on these above-mentioned issues, especially as they apply to children.  This should not be construed to mean that basic science application or, indeed, any other application of a relevant area in burns will not be considered; indeed, they will. However, it is clearly to the advantage of the applicant if the area of the grant is in the area of interest of the IAFF. The application requires definition of salaries, consultants, equipment, supplies, and travel as well as a carefully summarized (no more than four typewritten 8½ x 11 pages) research plan.  In addition, a copy of the Principle Investigator's CV must be included with the application.  An original and 4 copies of the completed application and research plan must be submitted by January 15, 2006 to: Robert H. Demling, MD, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Trauma/Burn Center 1620 Tremont St. , Boston , MA 02120 .  Telephone: (617) 525-7625; Fax: (617) 525-7723.