The Arthritis Ireland 30^th Anniversary Commemorative Award has been established to recognise significant contributions in the field of rheumatology in Ireland. The recognition that this specially designed award offers will ensure that excellence in rheumatology in Ireland is recognised and shared, representing a significant advance in understanding, treatment and prevention of arthritis in Ireland.

Entry Guidelines

Judgment Criteria

Selection Process

Awards

Entry Instructions

Shortlisted Applicants

Awards Ceremony

Entry Guidelines

Eligibility: Any consultant, or their team, working in the field of rheumatology is eligible for entry if they have:

• Performed major research in a clinical or scientific field directly related to the rheumatic diseases (understanding, treatment and prevention of arthritis) in facilities located within Ireland during the five years immediately preceding August 1, 2011.
• Pioneered and implemented significant innovations in patient service delivery within their hospital setting.
• Successfully exploited new technical developments to improve patient care.
• Written peer reviewed published papers.
• Contributed to or pioneered a notable scientific breakthrough.
• Established a significant body of work that has contributed to the overall development of rheumatology in Ireland. 

Judgment Criteria

The awardee(s) will be chosen primarily on the basis of the following criteria:

• Significance of the work to understanding and treatment of rheumatic disease and to initiating and sustaining the field of arthritis research and patient care innovations.
• Originality and innovative insight on the part of the applicant(s) into a scientific problem or care model.
• Intellectual and scientific independence of the applicant(s) with clear evidence that they are the prime intellectual and organizational force behind the particular piece of work cited.
• The magnitude and quality of other career research and care innovations by the applicant(s), whether or not related to this application, will be given some weight in the case of a close decision.

The Selection Process

Peer Review

• All applications for the Arthritis Ireland 30^th Anniversary Commemorative Award will be impartially and critically evaluated by review committee comprising of scientific peers. 
• Each expert will review the proposals independently and then the group meets to discuss each award application. (This may occur by teleconference).
• Reviewers will rate the potential impact of the project on arthritis, patient care, originality, availability of support services, suitability of facilities, and budget.
• Each application will be reviewed by at least three different individuals and the entire committee evaluates their critiques and offers any additional opinions. 

The Awards

· 5 works will be shortlisted.

• 1 specially designed commemorative trophy will be awarded to a single individual or rheumatology team.
• 4 Commendation Awards will be awarded to the remaining shortlisted individuals or rheumatology teams.

In an exceptional situation, the prize committee may recommend either:

• Dividing the award equally among more than one applicant.
• Dividing the award among individuals from more than one group who have made critical contributions to the same research area or pioneered similar patient care innovations.

Instructions for Entry

· Entries must be received by Arthritis Ireland by Monday October 17^th 2011 at 5pm.

· Email submission is required. Email: Info@arthritisireland.ie 

Entries must include the following information:

• Brief summary of your / your teams training and background.
• Brief summary of your / your teams significant accomplishments.
• Statement of background of the major scientific problems or area to which you / your team have made contributions that you wish to be recognized.
• Description of how this work stands alone from the work of others in the area.
• Cite specifically any references to published work (if applicable).
• Outline any major technical or methodological contribution this work has made, such as new, more sensitive or more precise analytical methods, adaptations to measurement techniques, use of new technology etc.
• Specifically outline how you/ your team have been the intellectual and motivational force behind the work being considered.
• Explain the direct relevance of the piece of work being considered on the understanding, treatment or prevention of rheumatic diseases.

Shortlisted applicants

Shortlisted applicants will be required to present their work at a scientific meeting being held on the afternoon of November 18^th 2011 in D4 Berkeley Hotel, Dublin 4.

Awards Ceremony

The award will be presented at Arthritis Ireland 30^th Anniversary Dinner, November 18^th 2011. All entrants must be available to attend this event.