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CALL FOR SPR MEMBERSHIP NOMINATIONS

NOMINATION SUBMISSIONS ACCEPTED

MAY 15 - JULY 15 
 

The nomination must be initiated online by the SPR nominating member, not by the nominee. After the nominating member starts the process and uploads both letters (nominating and seconding letters), then the nominee information (training details, publication PDFs, etc.) can be requested through the website. 

Pediatric/child health researchers with current, hypothesis-related (focused on development and/or testing of a hypothesis), research activities are welcome to apply for membership to SPR. All criteria for membership must be met and the application should be completed to address the following criteria, as described below:

  1. Appropriate credentials

  2. Research leadership, participation and productivity in an area relevant to pediatric/child health with an independent trajectory.

  3. Current research activity evidenced by one or more publications demonstrating independent research (studies completed after research training period).

  4. Hypothesis-related research as a major focus of their career, through publications and funding, supplemented by letters, relevant to pediatrics or child health.

  5. Letters of support from both a Nominator and a Seconder who are Active Members of SPR, in good standing. 

WHY NOMINATE?

  • Many researchers want to join SPR but have never been nominated.

  • Help your colleagues. Nominate a researcher today. With every new member, SPR's mission is advanced: To cultivate a diverse network of child health researchers through collaboration, community, mentorship, and advocacy.

WHAT ARE THE MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA?

Credentials Required
  • Have completed an advanced degree (beyond Bachelor’s degree).
  • At the time of application, ≥ 2-3 years post completion of fellowship or, if no fellowship undertaken, ≥ 2-3 years post final training position (including post-doc, for PhD nominees).
  • For allied health professionals, the requirement for an advanced degree can be waived if there is demonstrated evidence of an independent research program.

Research leadership, participation, productivity
  • Research leadership, participation and productivity in an area relevant to pediatrics/child health with an independent trajectory as demonstrated by one or more of the following.
    • One or more recent (< 2-3 years) first or last author publications of original-science, hypothesis-related, peer-reviewed research from studies completed after fellowship/research training. These publications must demonstrate intellectual leadership of the research effort.
    • Letter of support indicating that Nominee is a project leader within a collaborative research group or network, with relevant publications and funding supporting the role and productivity.
    • Current (within 2-3 years) extramural grant funding in the Nominee’s primary research area, with Nominee’s role in securing funding described, or as PI/multi-PI. Funding is not required for membership, but it is supportive. Funding should be for investigator-initiated, hypothesis-related research. Individual career development (e.g., K series) and K99/R00 awards are considered. This means that neither an individual nor institutional K award is reflexively adequate on its own for membership - it must be supported by other evidence in this category, with consideration given to the differences in publication rates across research disciplines.
  • Publications submitted for review and grants listed should be responsive to and supportive of this criterion. For funding, if the nominee is not PI/multi-PI, the entry should be annotated with the nominee’s role in obtaining the grant and conducting the research.

Current Research Activity
  • Must have one or more publication(s) demonstrating independent research (studies completed after research training period).
    • One or more recent (< 2-3 years), quality, original-science, peer-reviewed publication(s) in a topic related to pediatrics or child health for work completed after fellowship/research training.
  • Middle author papers are considered if letters of support identify that the Nominee has a leadership role relevant to the work, such as within the collaborative research group or network.
  • Submitted publications should be annotated:
    • To describe the hypothesis for the work in question
    • To describe the nominee’s role in the work such that intellectual leadership of the research is demonstrated
  • Manuscripts that reflect work completed during the research training period do not qualify, nor do review or position papers, commentaries or book chapters

Hypothesis-related Research
  • Application should demonstrate that Nominee is engaged in hypothesis-related research as a major focus of their career, through publications and funding, supplemented by letters.

Letters of Support
  • Letters of support from Nominator and Seconder must support the nominee as an investigator with evidence of hypothesis-related research as a major focus of their professional activity. Click here to download the Nomination Letter template.
  • If the fellowship mentor is a co-author or the Nominee continues to work in the same research environment after completion of training, letters must include specific information regarding the Nominee’s independent contributions. A supplemental letter in this regard from the mentor or other faculty member with in-depth knowledge can be provided if appropriate.

WHO CAN NOMINATE?

  • All SPR members (except Emerging to Established "E2E members) in good standing, with dues fully paid, including current SPR Officers or Council members.

WHO WRITES NOMINATION LETTERS AND LETTERS OF SUPPORT?

  • Nomination letters for individuals must be provided by two current SPR Active or Emeritus members, in good standing.

  • Individuals within or outside an individual’s institution can provide letters of support and nomination. Of note, peers of the individual who are SPR Active or Emeritus Members in good standing can also provide letters of support and nomination.

HOW ARE NEW MEMBERS SELECTED?

  • SPR council will review all completed applications and will select new members at the council meeting in late fall.

  • New members are announced in November/December. Membership is effective January 1, 2027.

  • Council decisions are final, but unsuccessful applicants may be re-nominated in subsequent years if they meet eligibility criteria.

HOW DO I MAKE A NOMINATION?

  • Nominator must contact nominees & seconding members.

    • For Nominee: Gather name and email address. Nominee will submit Nominee Information Requirements.

    • For Seconding member: Gather name, contact information and letter.

  • Nominator:  Click here to download the Nomination Letter template. Follow the nominator letter guide to prepare nomination letter. Letter must be on institutional stationary with evidence of membership criteria met. Seconding letters may be less detailed, but both nominating and second letters should include:

    • Document completed advanced degree(s) (beyond Bachelor's degree).

    • Demonstrate that the nominee is conducting hypothesis-related research activities in pediatrics or child health.

    • Demonstrate nominee's independent research trajectory through publications, patents or leadership roles within collaborative teams.

    • Demonstrate nominee's leadership and substantive participation in the concept, design and execution of research of benefit to children.

When the above materials are assembled, the nominating member initiates the nomination.