The OMeGA Medical Grants Association (OMeGA) has adjusted its residency application timetables in response to requests by applicant programs for earlier grant notification. The schedule changes not only provide more notice, but also give applicants for both residency/core competency innovation grants and residency/general education program grants the full academic year to complete their projects.

Residency/general education grants
The application period for the 2014–2015 residency/general education grants opened on Jan. 27 and grant applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. CDT on March 21, 2014. This change moves the 2014–2015 residency/general education grant schedule 4 weeks earlier than in past years. Under the new schedule, applicants will be notified of grant decisions in late April.

Orthopaedic residency programs may apply for a grant up to $5,000 to cover the cost of educational items such as books, online courses, journal club support, development of novel curricula, skills lab, cadaver sessions, or visiting professors. Applications with a broader benefit to the residency program are given special consideration.

Programs interested in applying for a 2014–2015 residency/general education grant can begin the registration process at www.omegamedicalgrants.org

Residency/core competency innovation grants
Applications for OMeGA’s 2014–2015 residency/core competency innovation grants will be accepted beginning April 7, 2014. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. CDT on May 16, 2014. Applicants will be notified of grant decisions in late June.

Core competency innovation grants support innovative teaching of the six core competencies identified by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education. These grants (up to $20,000) are meant to aid a program’s ability to promote professionalism across the program. Grant recipients create a detailed illustration of their project in a poster that is shared with their peers.

Review process unchanged
Applications will be reviewed by members of the OMeGA board, based on criteria such as how the funds will be used to improve the residents’ learning experiences, merits of the educational program, faculty expertise, program accreditation status, and educational resources. Over the past 5 years, nearly half (49.5 percent) of all residency applicants have received an OMeGA grant.

For more information on OMeGA grants, e-mail info@omegamedicalgrants.org

Rhonda Taira is director, grants management, OMeGA Medical Grants Association; she can be reached at taira@omegamedicalgrants.org