Nominations recommended for approval are presented to the Foundation’s Board of Directors and announced by early July, 2027.
The program
The Mobility is Freedom Fund (MiFF)-Scholar Award Program supports the research and training of talented young doctoral students in the rehabilitation science at graduate institutions with the intention of supporting scholars with an interest in advancing knowledge, research and publications related tointegrated, multi-disciplinary care for amputees, i.e., person with limb loss. Based on institutional nominations, the program provides discretionary funding to a promising pre-doctoral student. The award is based on accomplishment in scholarly research as well as a compelling commitment to future rehabilitation research, and provides an unrestricted research grant of $50,000.
Eligibility
The Mobility is Freedom-Scholar Award Program is open to academic institutions in the States, Districts, and Territories ofthe United States of America that grant a Ph.D. in rehabilitation science or equivalent. Nominees must be a full-time student, have completed their comprehensive qualifying exam, and be engaged in a doctoral dissertation research project. Institutions may submit only one nomination annually. Renominations are accepted.
Selection
The Foundation seeks Mobility is Freedom-Scholars who have demonstrated leadership, original scholarly research of outstanding quality, and dedication to their training. Recommendations for awards are based on evidence of outstanding educational efforts and the nominee’s scholarly research achievements, as assessed by a panel of distinguished scientists and clinicians in the orthotic and prosthetic industry. Three outside letters of support (see below for details) are of value to the reviewers. Other considered factors are awards and honors, publication of research achievements in leading journals, and evidenceof leadership.
Budget
The Mobility is Freedom-Scholar Award provides a $50,000 unrestricted grant. Charges associated with indirect costs or institutional overhead are not allowed. Funds are normally expended over a period of three years in accordance with a budget the finalist submits before funds are awarded. Foundation approval is not required for budgetary changes after an award is made. If the awardee leaves the institution, all remaining funds, as stated in that budget, are due to be returned to the MiFF; the transfer of the remaining funds, while possible, requires prior Foundation approval.
Nomination Procedure
Institutions may make only one nomination annually for the Mobility is Freedom-Scholar Award Program. All nomination materials and letters of support must be received at the Fund office by the deadline.
Required documents
A completed nomination form
A letter of nomination (limited to two pages) from an institutional representative (e.g. supervising professor or department chair) highlighting the nominee’s academic and research accomplishments and the basis for selection. In addition, this letter may contain institutional and departmental descriptive information
A summary description of the research plans (limited to six pages, including references)
A CV (limited to five pages) including a list of publications in which independent contributions are clearly and separately identified. Research support should be indicated
A statement that illustrates the nominee’s efforts in rehabilitation science (limited to two pages)
A budget (limited to one page) describing how award funds will be used
Additionally, if any applicant wishes to supplement their electronic PDF submission with hard copies of any materials, they are welcome to forward those by the deadline to Mobility is Freedom Fund, LLC, Post Office Box 42409, Towson, Maryland 21284-2409
Three letters of support should be sent directly to the Fund from individuals who know and address the nominee’s capabilities and accomplishments as a research scientist. A letter from the candidate’s Ph.D. advisor is required and should discuss the nominee’s accomplishments as an independent investigator and any institutional resources which may be expected to be available in support of the applicant scholar’s work. One letter may be from the candidate’s home institution. A letter from neither a former advisor nor the home institution will be given the greatest weight. To assure unfiltered input, the letters of support should be sent directly to Mobility is Freedom Fund separate from the applicant’s completed nomination package; those recommending the applicant are requested to send letters of support directly to: AGRM@mindspring.com.
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Reports
Quarterly reports are required once the funding is initiated. A final report is due at the end of the third year. The report should be concise and contain the following information, with particular focus on relevance of work to integrated, multi-disciplinary care for amputees:
We aspire to be like helpers. So we serve all people. No matter their religion, ethnicity, or gender.
Going after poverty’s symptoms is temporary. Going after its causes is permanent for everyone.
In an effort to ensure volunteering at Foundation events is fulfilling experience for you.
Doing the most good is hard. We recommend some of the best charities in the world.
Highlights of research accomplishments during the award period and a description of any noteworthy awards
Research findings
An updated CV
Categorical financial report which may include the following categories; salaries and related expenses, fringe benefits, equipment, research expenses, supplies, travel, Other
An optional statement of any newsworthy stories concerning the Scholar during the period of the Mobility is Freedom-Scholar Award.
Additional information
1. Publications and presentations describing work supported by the award should acknowledge the Mobility is Freedom-Scholar Awards Program.
2. Recipients of the award are designated as a Mobility is Freedom Scholar.
3. Applicants can access this announcement and additional information relating to Mobility is Freedom at: www.mobilityisfreedomfund.org. Procedural questions may be directed to the Foundation office by e-mail at AGRM@mindspring.com.
Decision on Grant Award(s)
This Request for Proposal does not comprise any commitment by Mobility is Freedom Fund (MiFF) to select an award winner in any year. Rather, applications will be reviewed and evaluated based on their merit, promise, relevance to the MiFF mission, at and with the sole discretion resting with MiFF as to both review processes and the final decision of whether to fund any grant application.
