The International Society of Nephrology seeks proposals from interested organizations to host the next Scientific Writing Course (SWC) in North and East Asia region in 2024.
Introduction
This is a 3-day course given by experts in the field of scientific writing to help physicians and researchers from a range of backgrounds and specialization in nephrology to improve their scientific writing skills, so they achieve the skills needed to publish their research work.
Hosting the SWC course is a splendid opportunity for a center to get a unique opportunity to participate in the ISN’s activities of promoting clinical research.
The selected participants from the region will receive hands-on and one-to-one mentoring from faculty on writing skills for their respective research work. The process of translating research projects into publications will receive a sustained ongoing guidance from faculty after the course.
The geographic location of the ISN SWC is based on availability of suitable locations. In the event that multiple suitable sites are available, the ISN Clinical Research Committee will make the final decision as to the chosen site.
Find out below more details about the course and the logistics involved.
Do carefully read the section Bidding process which contains all the details and requirements for bidding.
Course Overview
Purpose
Achieving and maintaining high standards in science writing is crucial to advancing research as much as sharing, testing and comparing new ideas and discoveries. This course is designed to incorporate:
- The participants’ skills in conducting clinical research in nephrology – and getting the results published
- The art and science of manuscript writing and responding to reviewers
- Artificial Intelligence in scientific writing
- Grant applications.
Context and background
The ISN Clinical Research Program helps to advance the start-up of research in lower-, lower-middle- and upper-middle-income countries through several initiatives and programs for which it provides grants. Since 2013, the ISN had been sending some of the individuals leading these projects to an annual Scientific Writing Academy (SWA) run at the Mario Negri Institute in Italy. This Academy provided them with intensive tutored support to enhance their writing skills in nephrology. Until 2016 the course was co-supported by the Fondazione della Comunità Bergamesca and Fluorseals SPA.
From 2017 onwards, the ISN started to organize its own Scientific Writing Course (SWC). The first course took place in Bangalore (India) and was jointly funded by the ISN-ANIO Committee. ISN is willing to also offer this opportunity to other regions of the world and hence seeks bidding from local/regional organizations.
Teaching method and content
During this course, talented investigators who are in the process of writing a manuscript are guided step-by-step to proficiently review and complete their manuscripts based on world-class methods.
The course consists of a series of didactic lectures, group activity, demonstrations and interactive discussions. It includes a process of critical analysis, constructive feedback and sharing of experiences in the field of research.
The participants should ideally come away with:
- The necessary knowledge base to succeed in publishing scientific papers in top international journals or to prepare a grant application
- An in-depth understanding of scientific peer-review publishing
- How to best present their work in general
- Inspiration and motivation to write but also to do more basic research and launch projects in their own countries
- A better basis for undertaking and/or setting up international collaborative efforts
- Ability to write cover letters, write reviews and evaluate the work of others
- Ability to plan and outline papers in an organized, systematic way, and to incorporate their colleagues’ suggestions and observations.
Teachers/ Faculty
English-based tutorials will be delivered by a group of international and local expert scientists. The faculty teach and mentor the participants.
Participants
Fifteen to twenty participants will be accepted for each ISN SWC. Seats are therefore limited and the selection process competitive.
Eligibility criteria
The course is open to ISN members who:
- speak and write English fluently
- are early-career professionals (age max. 40yo)
- work predominantly in clinical research (i.e. health research requiring approval from a human ethics board)
- have prior experience in basic research in preferably a lower-, lower-middle- or upper-middle-income country (as per World Bank classification)
- have manuscript(s) published in a peer-reviewed journal, or have other indicators of high potential in clinical research
- have an active research project at an advanced stage
- are demonstrably motivated to improve their scientific writing skills.
Application Process
Interested applicants will need to submit an online application form via an online form. An application deadline will be set some 4 months prior to the ISN SWC.
The applications from candidate participants will be reviewed and scored by the ISN Clinical Research Committee with representatives from the local (host) organization, as well as representatives from the ISN Young Nephrologists Committee.
No different process is to be set for a national or international applicant.
Priority consideration will be given to applicants from lower- and lower-middle-income countries from the region where the ISN SWC is organized; normally all applicants will be from the region. The ISN Clinical Research Committee will make final decisions on eligibility as required.
Note that the selection process is competitive to keep high-quality standards. Prior clinical research experience and an active research project that can be used as the basis for participation in the course are mandatory.
Logistics
The ISN contributes to the logistics and coordination of the event by collecting and reviewing the applications from candidate participants.
The local organizer is responsible for local organizational and logistical aspects in terms of arranging course venue, accommodation, local transport and meals.
Note the following important points to be taken into consideration:
- Venue should have enough seating arrangements and adequate audio-visual facility
- Wi-Fi provision during the course
- Certificates from the ISN and mementos, printed at the host center and to be presented to participants and faculty on the last day of the course
- A group photograph to be taken with the faculty, and other individual and small group pictures to be taken during the SWC
- Instructions to participants to bring their own laptops and pre-course reading material
- Course materials (including set of basic educational material if appropriate) to be provided at time of registration by the SWC Course Director
- Strict attendance to be taken for every session
- Arrangement for visits to departments/labs/research centers in the host institute as part of the course
- Organization of one evening dinner for the whole group.
Contents/Program
The local organizer is responsible for defining the dates and location of the course. The faculty members and the local organizer set the agenda of the course and devise the objectives of the program together.
With assistance from ISN staff and faculty, the host may need to organize pre-course assignments for participants.
Promotion and Dissemination
ISN will disseminate about the course across its network of members and affiliated societies. The local organizer is responsible for promoting the course and encouraging the most talented candidates from the region who meet the criteria to apply to participate in the course.
Post Course
A detailed report about the major outcomes, challenges and lessons learnt from the course (including pictures) must be submitted by the local organizer and participants to the ISN.
The host organization may also capture post-course feedback from the participants.
Budget and Financial Arrangements
Together with its application, the host organization must submit a detailed budget proposal covering the travel and accommodation of faculty and participants (from lower- and lower-middle-income countries from the region) during the course, venue (including audiovisual) arrangements, food and beverages including breakfast, lunch and one evening dinner, local transport, course materials and venue charges. The budget could include support from ISN and other local sources if necessary. The total cost of the course should not exceed 35,000 USD.
The host organization is responsible for local/regional fundraising to cover at least 50% of the total cost of the course. Potential organizations that are able to provide cash or in-kind contributions to the course will be more highly ranked. Examples of in-kind contributions include: free or subsidized housing for participants and/or faculty; meals for participants and/or faculty; meeting space, etc.).
Minimum requirements
The host organization should satisfy the following minimum requirements:
- The host organization should be active in the field of clinical nephrology research and/or be a recognized academic center. Ideally one or more participants from the host organization will apply to be considered as participants in the SWC.
- The host organization must be located in a major center with good travel connections within the host region (so that participants from other countries can easily access the course)
- At least one contact from the host organization must be an active ISN member
- The host organization must provide a venue for 15-20 participants with good audiovisual facility and strong internet connectivity.
Deadline
Bid proposals should be received by the ISN Headquarters by 29 February 2024. The ISN Clinical Research Committee will then review the proposals and make a final decision based on the following selection criteria:
- Relevance of course as per local needs
- Relevance of budget proposal and level of external financial contributions
- Relevance of promotional strategies and audience recruitment
- Logistics and organization – solidity of project plan
- Ease of access for participants
- Political stability of the area.
Application documents
To apply, fill out this Application form.
Do answer all the questions and provide detailed information about the items listed below:
- A brief description of the status of nephrology – and in particular research – in the host country/ region
- Name of a proposed city and venue with available dates
- Name and description of the specific venue proposed including: location, contact details, AV details, facilities for meals and overall cost
- A brief description of the proposed host city (size, population, details of access for international travelers, and other background information of interest)
- Description of accommodation possibilities (including cost) – distances between hotels and venue and information with regard to local transport
- An overview of the risks related to the course. Under what circumstance would the meeting not proceed?
- An overview of the promotion and dissemination strategies to ensure the participation of the most talented candidates
- An overview of local and/or regional partners or sponsors
- Budget in US dollars – please submit a proposal covering the travel and accommodation of faculty and participants (from lower- and lower-middle-income countries from the region) during the course, venue charges (including audiovisual arrangements), food and beverages including breakfast, lunch and one evening dinner, local transport, and any course materials. The budget could include support from ISN and other local sources if necessary. Download a template here.
Outcome of applications will be announced by end of March 2024 at the latest.
For any questions or additional information, please contact swc@theisn.org.