AAS/AASF Trainee Research Fellowship Awards

Applications re-open July 2025

Purpose: This award provides an eligible resident or fellow who has completed at least two years of postgraduate training in a surgical discipline the opportunity to spend one year in a full-time research position with an AAS member. The award of $30,000 for one year per award may be used for salary support or for the direct-cost expenditures of the research. The award is to be expended solely for the purpose of the sponsored research.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be residents or fellows who are currently enrolled in an accredited training program and have completed at least two years of postgraduate training in a surgical discipline.
• The awardee must be a candidate member or an active member of the AAS. (Applicants with AAS membership applications in process are also eligible)
• There must be at least one mentor who is an active or senior member of the AAS

Funding and Reporting Requirements

The funding period: July 1st 2025 – June 30, 2026

Four projects will be awarded:

• AAS/AASF Global Surgery Research Fellowship – for individuals who are interested in advancing the field of Global Surgery through research, including but not limited to: proposals aimed at further defining or reducing the global burden of surgical disease; defining existing human and material resources available for surgical care in low- or middle-income countries; outlining the ability of surgical treatment to prevent death and disability in resource-poor settings; identifying strategies for instituting or improving surgical care or capacity in resource-poor settings; preventative interventions for surgical disease; and advancing surgical education or manpower in areas of limited resources.
• AAS/AASF Trainee Research Fellowship Award– Basic Science/Translational – for residents and fellows engaged in basic science or translational research.
• AAS/AASF Trainee Research Fellowship Award – Clinical Outcomes/Health Services – intended to give eligible residents or fellows the opportunity to spend a year in a full-time clinical, or health services research position with an AAS member.
• AAS/AASF Trainee Research Fellowship Award – Education – for residents and fellows engaged in educational research.

The winner will receive $30,000 for one year to be used for salary support and/or direct-cost expenditures incurred in the conduct of the proposed research project. The project must be completed within the 1 year funding period. In the event that investigator is awarded another extramural award, the investigator will be required to accept only one source of funding. No indirect costs will be covered. The award certificate will be presented at the AAS/SUS Awards Ceremony during the 2025 Academic Surgical Congress. A one-page formal progress report for the research project and copies of pertinent publications resulting from the funding of the research award should be forwarded to the AAS office upon completion of the one-year research project. A final report and presentation of work accomplished will be required at the 2026 Academic Surgical Congress following the conclusion of the grant. No more than 10% of the funding may be used for travel – these funds will be expected to cover the cost of the awardee ASC presentation requirement.

Committee Review:
A committee consisting of the councilors of the AAS, president-elect, and ad-hoc members as needed will review all proposals. The top rated proposals will be selected as finalists, and these applicants will be invited to interview with the selection committee, and the award recipient will be selected from these finalists and announced at the AAS Research Awards Ceremony at the 2025 Academic Surgical Congress.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Part 1: General information
Complete the General Information section, which includes your contact information as well as the Primary and Secondary (if applicable) Institution information.

Part 2: Project information
Complete the project information section, which includes project title, alternate funding sources, mentor information, etc.

Part 3: Supporting Documents
ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE UPLOADED AS ONE FILE IN PDF FORMAT (REQUIRED). Grants which are incomplete or do not follow the page limits or formatting guidelines will not be reviewed.

• Cover Letter (Limit: 1 page) – Should outline your academic development plan for the one-year research period, short and long-term career goals, and any other relevant information that you wish the committee to consider.
• Curriculum Vitae or NIH-style Biosketch (Limit: 5 pages)
• Lay Summary of Project (Limit: 200-300 words)
• Comprehensive Research Plan (Limit: 5 pages) single-spaced, Arial 11pt, 1″ margin, excluding references. Must include:
  • abstract for research proposal
  • significance of research
  • background information
  • preliminary observations
  • experimental plan (methods, materials, potential limitations and pitfalls)
• Budget (Limit: 1 page) – Brief budget justification. Must include 10% use for travel (see funding parameters listed above)
• Letter from Sponsoring Research Mentor (Limit: 2 pages) – Must outline the mentoring plan, and describe their past mentoring experience and track record. The letter should also confirm the research plan, as well as the availability of resources to complete the proposed research.
• Letter of Support from the Chair of your Department (Limit: 2 pages) – The letter must guarantee that the applicant will spend the entire funding period in the research fellowship and that the department is committed to providing the additional support necessary to ensure completion of the project.
• Research Mentor’s NIH-style Biosketch (Limit: 5 pages)

Applications which exceed the page limitations WILL NOT BE REVIEWED.

APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

Previous Award Winners: