1. Who can apply to these programs? Please see application instructions for full details. These programs provide funding for meritorious research related to lung disease to doctoral applicants (MD, DO, PhD, ScD) and some advanced degree candidates. Applications to the ALA program must be from an institution in the United States. Applications to the ALAC program must be from a California institution.

2. Is there a requirement for US citizenship? No. Candidates must be US citizens, or submit proof of one of the following visa immigration statuses: permanent resident, J-1, H-1, H-1B, TC, TN or O-1.

3. Are these the same programs? No. There are similarities, but these are two separate programs. They share common application forms and deadlines, but there are differences in funding amounts and budgetary restrictions. Decisions on funding are made by different committees.

4. What are the differences in awards between the two programs? The main difference is that the programs offer different award amounts. Also, ALA offers awards in more categories than ALAC:
   

   	ALACmaximum	ALA maximum
   Research Training Fellowship	$50,000	$32,500
   Research Grants	$50,000	$35,000
   Clinical Research Grants	$50,000	$35,000
   Career Investigator Awards	N/A	$50,000
   Lung Health Dissertation Grants	N/A	$21,000

    
   

5. Can I apply to both programs? If you meet ALA eligibility requirements, you should apply directly to ALA, using the national application and guidelines. ALA shares all applications from California institutions with ALAC, so your application will automatically be considered by both programs. Applicants who only meet ALAC eligibility criteria should apply under the "Local Association" award category.

6. Which budget amount should I use in my application? If you apply directly to ALA, you must submit your budget using the ALA maximum guidelines noted above. Since ALAC award amounts are higher than those for equivalent ALA categories, eligible applicants who receive ALA support will be considered for a "supplemental award" from ALAC. You will be asked to submit a budget supplement at a later date to be considered for the ALAC award amount. If you are applying under the "Local Association" award category, you may submit a budget up to $50,000.

7. Can I receive awards from both programs? No, an investigator can only be the recipient of one Lung association grant at any point in time (except in the case of "supplemental awards, described above).

8. Who can apply for a Research Training Fellowship? See the application instructions for full details. These awards are for applicants who hold a degree of PhD, MD, or equivalent. Pre-doctoral candidates in nursing are also eligible to apply for ALAC fellowships only. PhD applicants may not apply to ALAC if they are beyond their third post-doctoral year, and may not apply to ALA beyond their second post-doctoral year. MD applicants may apply to ALAC at any year of fellowship, but must be entering their 4^th or 5^th year of fellowship to apply to ALA.

9. Who can apply for a Research Grant or Clinical Research Grant? See the application instructions for details. These grants are limited to applicants who have completed a minimum of two years of research training and hold an entry level faculty appointment. The ALAC program also accepts applicants who are senior (4^th year or higher) fellows at the time of the award. Established investigators, defined by factors such as academic rank of Associate Professor, or possession of large grants (e.g. NIH-RO1), are not eligible to apply.

10. Can I apply for and receive a Research Training Fellowship and Research Grant? Yes. These grants are directed at investigators at different points in their academic career. However, investigators can hold only ONE award at any time.

11. What is the main difference between the different types of awards? See the application instructions for details. Each award has restrictions on the use of funds. The simple answer is that the Research Training Fellowships provide salary/stipend support, whereas the Research Grants and Clinical Research Grants permit the use of funds for salary, equipment, and supplies (grants have a limitation on the amount that can be spent on salary). Please read the instructions carefully and make note of the specifications and limits for each award when completing the budget page.

12. If I receive an award, can I renew the award for another year? See application instructions for details. Most awards are funded for up to two years. Applicants must submit a renewal application that demonstrates satisfactory progress in order to receive the send year of funding.

For more information on the ALA and ALAC research programs, please visit:

www.lungusa.org

www.californialung.org

Good luck. We look forward to your proposals.