See full document containing the full outline of the grant here.

The mission of the International Liver Transplantation Society (ILTS) is to promote and disseminate multidisciplinary scientific advances in liver transplantation worldwide.

ILTS is excited to announce a new series of research funding grants aimed at supporting cutting-edge research in liver transplantation. These grants are designed to foster innovation and advance scientific studies that have the potential to significantly improve clinical outcomes, refine surgical techniques, enhance donor organ management, optimize immunosuppression strategies, and advance long-term patient care in the field of liver transplantation.

ILTS is committed to empowering researchers and clinician-scientists around the globe by providing start-up resources to explore novel solutions to the most pressing challenges in liver transplantation. A total of three grants, each valued at US $10,000, will be awarded in this inaugural funding cycle.

Eligibility Criteria:

• The candidate must be ILTS member in good standing before submitting the application.
• The candidate must submit an updated Curriculum Vitae.
• The project must be original.
• Applicants who are principal investigators on major grants (e.g., R series, international scientific foundations) are not eligible at least they are new investigators in the liver transplant field.

Research Topic: The research topic must fall within the field of liver transplantation, whether in the clinical, basic science, or translational arenas (one project for each area will be funded).

Research Project Composition:

The research project should consist of the following components:

1. Abstract: A concise summary of the project, limited to 200 words.
2. Specific Aims Page: A clear and focused outline of the project’s objectives.
3. Project Description: A detailed narrative (maximum of 5 pages, single-spaced, 12-point font) organized into the following sections:

•       Significance: Describe the importance of the research and its potential impact.
•       Innovation: Highlight the novel aspects of the proposed work.
•       Research Approach: Provide a comprehensive plan for conducting the research, including methodology and expected outcomes.
•       References.

Note: References are not included in the 5-page limit and should be listed separately. A short description of the available resources (environment, instruments, core facilities) must be included (maximum of 2 pages).

Evaluation of proposals:

The submitted projects will be evaluated by a selection committee consisting of:

The President, a member of the Basic Science Committee with relevant expertise in the topic related to the projects, the Chair of the Education Committee, the Chair of the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee, the Chair of the Vanguard Committee, and an “ad hoc” reviewer (Council Member) appointed by the ILTS President.

Each member of the jury will independently vote on the project. The evaluation will consider the following criteria: Significance, Innovation, Investigators, Approach, Environment, and the potential impact on the field. A report with feedback from the evaluating committee will be provided to each applicant independently of the outcome.

Funding: ILTS will provide a $10,000 USD grant to support the project.

Grant Period, Progress Report, and Final Report: The funding must be utilized within a period not exceeding two years from award initiation. No indirect costs are allowed.

A progress report (maximum 3 pages) detailing the advances made must be submitted 6 months after receiving the grant. Additionally, a final report is required no later than 24 months from the start of the grant. Both reports will be evaluated by the same initial selection committee. Continuation of funding will be contingent on the outcomes and progress outlined in these reports.

Mandatory Documents for ILTS Award Disbursement: For studies involving human subjects, evidence of Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval must be provided before the award can be initiated. Similarly, for studies involving animals, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approval is required prior to the start of the project. 

Timeline:

December 16th, 2024: Call for Submission opens.

February 15th, 2025: Submission deadline.

End of March Award Notification.

July 1st, 2025: Research start date.

Sign Up for the Research Grant Today!

The awardees will be recognized at the ILTS annual meeting.

ILTS is an international society of transplant professionals, and we support the international standards of informed, uncoerced consent of organ donors and prohibitions on trafficking of organ donors for profit.