Dr. Hussain Al Rand Rhinology Research Grant

A. PURPOSE

This research grant has been established in honor of Dr. Hussain Al Rand in recognition of his enduring contributions to the field of Rhinology and public health leadership across the region. The grant will be awarded at EROC 2027 in Dubai, one of the premier regional platforms for advancements in Otolaryngology. Its purpose is to support innovative and impactful Rhinology research, particularly those that explore novel treatment modalities, digital innovations, and educational technologies.

B. ELIGIBILITY

1. Principal Investigator (PI). The submitting author must be the PI and will assume full scientific and administrative responsibility.
2. Global Scope. Applicants may be based anywhere worldwide; joint, multicentre, and multidisciplinary collaborations are strongly encouraged.
3. Career Stage. Early career investigators should include a senior mentor letter.
4. Data. Projects do not require preliminary data but should be grounded in a solid rationale with feasible execution.
5. Conference Attendance. Applicants are encouraged to attend EROC 2027 in person. The grant winner will be publicly announced during the opening ceremony.

C. GRANT STRUCTURE & FUNDING

Milestone‑based funding: Failure to submit the 6‑month report within 30 days of its due date may result in withholding of the second tranche.

D. SPECIAL AI / TECHNOLOGY TRACK

Projects that clearly integrate validated AI, machine learning, or digital health solutions will automatically be considered for an additional USD 2,000 supplement. Requirements:

• Provide algorithm explainability summary.
• Outline data privacy safeguards and ethical approvals.
• Describe potential integration with existing health information systems.
• Commit to data sharing (where legally/ethically permissible) to strengthen global Rhinology datasets.

E. APPLICATION FORMAT (ONE CONSOLIDATED PDF)

1. Cover Page (1 page) – Title, PI contact, institutional approvals.
2. Research Proposal (≤ 2 pages) – Background → Aims → Methods → Expected Impact. - May include one figure or table.
3. Budget & Justification (≤ 1 page).
4. PI & Key Personnel CVs (≤ 2 pages each).
5. Letters of Support / Mentor Letter (if applicable).
6. Ethics / IRB documentation (or proof of submission).

Formatting: 11 pt font, ≥ 0.5 inch margins.

F. EVALUATION & NOTIFICATION

Proposals will be reviewed by an independent, multidisciplinary scientific committee using a transparent scoring rubric aligned with international best practices. Final scoring and winner selection will be completed before EROC 2027, and the winner will be announced publicly during the opening ceremony.

G. REPORTING & DISSEMINATION

• 6‑Month Progress Report (max 2 pages + budget update) ➜ triggers second disbursement.
• Final Report within 3 months of project end → must outline results, expenditures, and plans for clinical translation and wider dissemination.
• Presentation. Awardee will present outcomes at the subsequent EROC meeting and is encouraged to publish in a peer‑reviewed journal acknowledging the grant.
• Intellectual property rights remain with investigators; organisers request a non‑exclusive right to showcase project summaries for educational purposes.

H. KEY DATES

Official dates (submission deadline, review period, finalist/winner notification process, and opening ceremony award announcement) will be posted on the grant portal and widely circulated via EROC channels.

I. FAQ & SUPPORT

A detailed FAQ, sample successful proposal, and contact information will be available on the grant portal.