IRA AWARDS, ORATIONS & TRAVEL BURSARIES

IRA ORATION
This oration is in recognition of one's contribution to the field of Rheumatology in India. It includes a medal and return economy-class air fare. The applicant should be a continuous member of IRA for 10 years and should not have received any Oration in the past. The application should be accompanied with curriculum vitae and one page write up on the applicant's contribution to rheumatology.

ZYDUS ORATION
This oration is in recognition of one's scientific contribution to the field of Rheumatology. It includes a medal and a certificate. The applicant should be a continuous member of IRA for 5 years and should not have received any oration in the past. The applications should be accompanied with the curriculum vitae and reprints of five best papers.

KOLKON-2000 ORATION
Instituted by West Bengal Chapter of IRA, it includes a medal and economy class air fare. It is in recognition of overall contribution to Rheumatology in India, particularly to propagate Rheumatology by way of public lectures, publishing articles related to patient education and awareness programmes, conducting CME Programmes, enrolment of members etc. Applicant must be an IRA member for 10 years and should not have received any other oration of IRA in the past. The application should be accompanied with curriculum vitae and one page write up on the applicant's contribution to rheumatology.

DR MN PASSEY AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICES
To be awarded to the senior most members of IRA for their contribution to Rheumatology in India, it carries an award certificate, Medal and Rs 15,000/- to be presented to the recipient during Inaugural Ceremony of IRACON. There is no formal application for this award. Members of the IRA may nominate eminent persons for this award. Nominations should be received by the last date.

DRA YOUNG INVESTIGATOR AWARD
Rs 5000/- to be awarded to young investigator below 40 years for paper presented during IRACON. This selection shall be made by the Scientific Committee. Interested applicants may indicate on their abstracts that they wish to be considered for this award.

IRA TRAVEL BURSARIES
The IRA provides 10 Travel Bursaries of Rs. Two Thousand each to enable its members to attend the Annual Conference-IRACON. Bursaries are available only to those IRA members who present a paper at IRACON. Age limit is 40 years. The bursary may be used for registration fee, travel or maintenance. Applications should be accompanied by the following enclosures: copy of letter of acceptance of abstract, a copy of the abstract itself and date of birth certificate. The decision of the Credentials Committee shall be final. Bursaries may be collected on-site from IRA Stall after submission of Participation Certificate. Last date of applications for travel bursary: 30 September 2008.

Overseas members can apply for the awards and orations of IRA but only work done in India shall be considered.

Four complete sets of applications/nominations for Orations/Awards/Bursaries (except DRA Young Investigator Award) may be sent to the Secretary, IRA and one set to the Organising Secretary of the Annual Conference by August 15. For the DRA Young Investigator Award, the applicants may indicate on their abstracts that they wish to be considered for this award. The last date for Travel bursary applications is 30 September. For all other Orations/Awards, the closing date is 15 August.

Mailing Address

Dr Amita Aggarwal Hon. Secretary IRA Department of Immunology SGPGI, Lucknow 226014 Email: secretary.ira@gmail.com (Four sets)

Dr. Arvind Chopra Organizing secretary IRACON 2008 ARCF-Center for Rheumatic Diseases No. 11, Hermes Elegance 1998, Convent Street, CAMP Pune 411001 (One set)