2020 SETC Travel Grant Application

The Society for Epidemiology in Tuberculosis Control (SETC), a section of the National TB Controllers Association (NTCA), is pleased to announce the availability of travel grants for the 2020 SETC Annual Meeting and Professional Development Track on May 27, 2020 and the NTCA-sponsored 2020 National TB Conference, May 28-29 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Purpose: The purpose of the SETC Travel Grant Program is to provide financial support for epidemiologists in training or TB control staff who perform epidemiologic work (data collection, analysis, interpretation or communication and disease investigations) who are interested in TB, but who otherwise would not be able to attend the 2020 SETC Annual Meeting/Professional Development Track and the 2020 National TB Conference. This opportunity will facilitate exposure to a broad range of epidemiologic concepts and activities in TB care, prevention and control and, at an early stage of one’s professional career, could generate enthusiasm and continued interest in the field and a commitment to work in public health and TB.

Eligibility:

Eligibility for the travel grant includes the following:

1. Currently working as an epidemiologist focused on tuberculosis; or
   Student candidate for the degree of MPH, PhD, or MD with a concentration on epidemiology, public health or other related degree
2. Currently working/studying in the United States or one of the US territories;
3. A strong interest and preferably some experience in any aspect of TB and public health;
4. Completion and submission of the 2020 SETC Travel Grant Application by 11:00 pm Pacific Time March 13, 2020; and
5. Submission of a letter (required) from the applicant's dean, department head, supervisor, or principal investigator indicating:
   • support of the applicant’s participation in the conference; permission to attend;
   • statement explaining how attending the conference will benefit the individual and the program;
   • statement that no other funding is available for the applicant's travel.
   • The letter may be submitted separately and is also due by 11:00 pm Pacific Time March 19, 2020.

Submission of an abstract for the 2020 National TB Conference is encouraged but not required.

Travel Grant Specifics:
The travel grant provides reimbursement for travel expenses to Minneapolis, Minnesota, for the SETC professional track meeting on May 27 and the 2020 National TB Conference May 28-29, 2020. It is the expectation that the travel grant recipient attend both the SETC meeting and the conference sessions. The dollar amount of the travel grant is to be determined and, if awarded, that amount will be specified in the award notification. In addition to these funds, the following is included:

• Waived registration fee for the 2020 National TB Conference – $650 benefit
• Complimentary one-year membership in the NTCA/SETC -- $80 benefit
• Opportunity to network and meet TB scholars, clinicians and program staff

Recipients will be reimbursed by check at the meeting.

Application
Applications are due no later than 11:00 pm Pacific Time on March 13, 2020, and letters of support are due no later than 11:00 pm Pacific Time on March 19, 2020. The application and letter of support should be submitted electronically using this form. The letter of support may be submitted separately by email to NTCA staff at ntca@tbcontrollers.org.

Applicants will be notified of their status no later than March 21, 2020. If a travel grant is awarded, the dollar amount of the travel grant will be specified in the award notification. Recipients will receive a check at the meeting.

Scoring Criteria
Applications will be scored based on the following criteria. Travel grants will be awarded based solely on their score until the available funding is utilized.

1. Currently working in, or recent experience working in, a public health program or academic setting relevant to US TB control: 0-4 points
2. Strength of application, demonstrating interest in TB and public health and how attendance will advance work: 0-6 points
3. Strength of letter of support: 0-4 points
4. 2020 National TB Conference Abstract Submission: 0-2 points
5. Publication in peer reviewed journals of original research on any aspect of TB: 0-2 points
6. MPH, PhD or equivalent degree: 0-2 points

The total possible score ranges from 0 to 20 points.

Instructions for Completing the Application Form
The application form is on the second page of this online form. Click the Save and Continue Later link at the top of the second page to save your work on the form.

Please follow these guidelines when formatting your letter of support

• Use one of the following file formats: png, gif, jpg, jpeg, doc, docx, xlsx, pdf, txt, or rtf.
• Limit the size per file to 500 KB.

If you have any questions, please contact NTCA staff at ntca@tbcontrollers.org.