Category: Updates from the OIF

A number of recent surveys have shown that approximately 60% of individuals with OI report that they suffer from chronic pain. To increase research around pain management, the OI Foundation and Osteogenesis Imperfecta Federation Europe (OIFE) have come together to form the Pain and OI Project, an international resource group made up of a variety of professionals and representatives of OI.  The project goal is to make recommendations on how to assess and measure pain, to promote educational activities about OI to target groups, and to construct a toolbox for children and adults to help manage chronic pain. Learn more about this project at https://oife.org/2022/10/28/oife-pain-oi-project/

Michael Geisman Fellowship Grant

The Michael Geisman Fellowship Grant program awards funding to post-doctoral trainees who are currently working on projects with clear relevance to osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), or who have projects that will enable them to develop expertise in OI research.

Applicant Requirements:

• Applicant must hold an MD, DDS, DO, or PhD, and be appointed at the level of a post-doctoral trainee, or equivalent, within an academic institution.
• Applicant should have completed their Ph.D. or clinical training within the past five (5) years.

Fellowship Guidelines:

• Michael Geisman Fellowship awards provide up to $50,000 per year. It is the intention of the OI Foundation that grant monies be used to fund actual costs related to the research being performed including Fellow salary, fringe benefits, and supplies.
• Fellowship awards are for one year; a second year of funding may be approved based upon satisfactory performance during the first year of funding.
• Research must be done under the supervision of mentor with training and experience in osteogenesis imperfecta research or research in a related field.

How to Apply:

1. Complete application (pg. 2-8)
2. Mentor of applicant must submit a copy of his/her NIH biosketch and a letter of recommendation on behalf of the trainee, which also confirms that the mentor will supervise the trainee’s research.
3. Applications require two additional letters of recommendation from scientists or clinicians who can comment upon the applicant’s training, ability, and potential to develop expertise in OI research.
4. Submit application, reference letters, and mentor biosketch as PDF documents to sconnors@oif.org NO LATER THAN November 30, 2022.

If you have any questions, please contact Stacie Connors at sconnors@oif.org.

Click here for the 2022 Michael Geisman Fellowship application.