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The CSF Leak Association is currently offering a bursary to support a UK-based junior doctor to travel to, and attend, the 3rd annual Intracranial Hypotension Symposium on 8th February 2020 in Los Angeles.
The symposium is organised by the US-based Spinal CSF Leak Foundation in partnership with Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre Department of Neurosurgery, and attracts experts and interested professionals from around the world.
The 2018 symposium saw speakers attend from Europe, Australia, Canada and the United States. You can read about last year’s event here. Presentations from past events are also available online: 2018 symposium and 2017 symposium.
Full information about the event and the bursary is available below. You can also download our bursary information pack by clicking here.
“The CSF Leak Association is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation and registered charity working across the UK to raise awareness of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. We were established in early 2016 and aim to provide support and advice for sufferers, their families and supporters, and with the assistance of our medical advisory committee, to be a focal point for medical professionals to enable the development of clear and consistent patient pathways and advance investigatory and treatment options.”
The symposium is the only conference worldwide that covers topics specifically related to spinal CSF leaks. Leading clinicians in this topic from the fields of neurology, neurosurgery, neuro-radiology anaesthetics and pain management will be presenting.
There will be a track for medical professionals as well as a track for patients and caregivers. There will be opportunity to network with clinicians from North America as well as those who have travelled from further afield. More information can be found at: cedars.cloud-cme.com/default.aspx?P=0&EID=9014
The Bursary
Applications for this attendance bursary are invited and should be submitted on or before the 8th November 2019. The bursary is funded and managed by the CSF Leak Association, with support from Medics 4 Rare Diseases (M4RD), who are asking doctors to #DareToThinkRare.
It will be awarded on a competitive basis. Some prior knowledge of spinal CSF leaks and/or intracranial hypotension is desirable, but not essential.
This is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about CSF leaks and intracranial hypotension from some of the world’s leading experts, and to network with other professionals in the field.
Under the terms of the bursary, the successful applicant will be required to attend the symposium and, as a minimum, provide the charity (and Medics 4 Rare Diseases) with a post-symposium report and an article. The specifics are outlined below as ‘deliverables’.
The CSF Leak Association will reimburse symposium fees, insurance, travel, accommodation and subsistence (subject to providing receipts and up to a maximum of £2000) after the symposium and once the deliverables have been provided to the charity. Please see the terms and conditions at the end of this page.
If you are interested and would like to apply, please complete the online application form below. You can find the person specification, terms and conditions at the foot of the page.
The deadline for applications is 8th November 2019. Short listed candidates will be interviewed by Skype in the week beginning 25th November 2019.
Person Specification
| Person Specification | Essential | Desirable |
| UK trained doctor (MBBS, MDChB, BM, MC BCh)
Minimum postgraduate training level – Foundation Year 2 |
✓ | |
| Full registration with the General Medical Council | ✓ | |
| Valid Professional Indemnity Insurance with MPS or MDU | ✓ | |
| Knowledge of CSF leaks/intracranial hypotension | ✓ | |
| Able to participate in a Skype interview week beginning 25th November 2019 | ✓ | |
| Able to attend the symposium on 8th Feb 2020 | ✓ | |
| Holder of required documentation to enter the United States of America prior to booking flights e.g. valid passport, Esta, Visa | ✓ | |
| From one of the following medical specialities:
Neurology, Neurosurgery, Radiology, Anaesthetics, Pain Management |
✓ |
Deliverables
As a minimum, the recipient will be required to:
1. Attend the Intracranial Hypotension Symposium on 8th Feb 2020 in Los Angeles, USA;
2. Provide a detailed post-symposium report to the CSFLA Board of Trustees and Medical Advisory Committee, including the key points raised by principal speakers and a summary of the discussion sessions of interest; and
3. Provide an article suitable for publishing on the CSFLA website and that of Medics 4 Rare Diseases (M4RD) and/or in their respective newsletters, website, social media channels and publications. The article should include:
a) Key highlights from the symposium,
b) any benefits and learning that may have been obtained from attending, and
c) whether the applicant thought the symposium was a success and why.
A selection of suitable photographs supporting the article would be required (along with all necessary royalty-free permissions for their reuse and publication by or on behalf of CSFLA and/or M4RD).
Apply Online
Terms & Conditions
This bursary is offered by the Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak Association, hereafter referred to as ‘CSFLA’.
An ‘applicant’ is an individual who has submitted a complete application form on or before the stated deadline.
The successful applicant, that is the individual to whom CSFLA will award the bursary, shall hereafter be referred to as the ‘recipient’.
CSFLA will consider each application on its merits and will assess all information submitted against the person specification and its charitable aims and objectives.
CSFLA will consider each application on its merits and will assess all information submitted against the person specification and its charitable aims and objectives. References may be requested for shortlisted applicants.
A short list will be drawn up based on applicants’ written submissions and applicants thereon will be invited to attend a short interview conducted via tele- or video-conference. The recipient will be be selected from the shortlist.
CSFLA reserves the right not to award the bursary, should no suitable recipient be identified.
Specifics
1. The recipient is responsible for and must be in possession of a valid passport and appropriate travel document to enter the USA prior to booking flights and accommodation for the conference (e.g. Esta/Visa).
2. Initial payment of monies relating to conference attendance (e.g. travel, accommodation, subsistence) will be payable upfront by the recipient. Monies will only reimbursed by CSFLA after the conference once the deliverables have been provided to them and subject to completing applicable expenses form(s) and providing receipts to evidence each expense.
3. CSFLA will reimburse fees and costs incurred by the recipient relating to conference registration, insurance, travel, accommodation and reasonable subsistence up to a maximum total expenditure of £2000. If further costs are incurred, these will not be reimbursed.
For the avoidance of doubt:
i. CSFLA will only cover economy air travel.
ii. CSFLA will not reimburse any expenditure relating to alcohol or any other activities not related specifically to conference attendance.
ii. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, CSFLA will not reimburse fees to attend any conference dinner.
iv. It is permissible for the recipient to bring a partner or to extend the trip duration, but CSFLA will only cover accommodation, local travel and subsistence expenses relating specifically to the recipient and for the symposium date (including two nights of accommodation and associated subsistence).
v. A daily subsistence rate for the recipient will be reimbursed by CSFLA. That rate shall be $93 (USD), unless otherwise agreed in writing by CSFLA.
vi. Reasonable accommodation allowance will be reimbursed by CSFLA. That allowance shall be $193 (USD), unless otherwise agreed in writing by CSFLA.
vii. Travel insurance fees will be reimbursed by CSFLA (recipient to advise if a medical condition may affect insurance and ensure that this is covered, unless cover is not possible).
viii. Travel to and from departure airport (including parking) will be reimbursed by CSFLA.
ix. Travel to and from arrival airport to the hotel will be reimbursed by CSFLA.
x. All monies reimbursed are to be for reasonable expenses. All expenditure for which expenses claims will be made must be receipted. Where there is any doubt, the recipient shall seek clarification from CSFLA prior to any expense being incurred.