Introduction
The Society offers a range of grant opportunities made available by the Research Foundation Board of Trustees to members of the Society that are subject to the approved budget. There are two cycles of funding opportunities, spring and fall, with submission deadlines March 1 and August 15. Other grant categories are funded if and when resources permit. Potential applicants are advised to contact the Research Foundation office well in advance of any proposed application date to seek clarification and advice about the forthcoming funding cycle. Members are encouraged to contact the chair of the Research Committee directly for points of clarification. Please see contact information at the bottom of the page.
Grant Update: Important Changes for the 2019 Calendar Year
As a result of budget reductions approved specifically for 2019, the Career Development Award will not be offered. Therefore no CDA applications should be submitted for the March 1, 2019 deadline.
If recommended by the Research Committee and approved by the Board; for 2019, one award each would be funded for Limited Project Grants, General Surgery Resident Research Initiation Grants, Medical Student Research Initiation Grants and International Fellowship Grants. The number of Research in Robotic Surgical Technology Grants to be awarded will continue to depend on industry funding.
Foundation leadership has taken decisive action to operate responsibly and realistically within current budget constraints, and with respect for the investment of members and corporate partners in the continued long-term health of the Foundation. The Foundation investment balance is healthy, however Foundation investment advisors project that the near term investment forecast will continue to result in more modest returns.
Noting that many other organizations have been affected by the market downturn, members of the Foundation Board of Trustees expressed the hope that a more favorable future financial picture will allow more awards to be made.
March 1st application deadline:
- Career Development Award (Note: CDA submissions will not be accepted for the 2019 cycle. See below for more information)
- Limited Project Grant (Note: The application deadline has been moved from November 1 to March 1. The LPG submissions are closed for the 2019 cycle.)
- Medical Student Research Initiation Grant
August 15 application deadline:
- Research in Robotic Technology Grant
- International Fellowship Grant (Note: The application deadline has been moved from November 1 to August 15. The IFG submissions are closed for the 2019 cycle.)
- General Surgery Resident Research Initiation Grant
The Research Foundation of ASCRS offers the following grants:
Career Development Award
Purpose: To provide young surgeons with the support necessary for the initiation and development of an academic career in colorectal surgery. The CDA focuses on career development and mentorship of the individual rather than solely on the research proposal. The award is intended for the academic investigator demonstrating significant creativity in research relevant to the pathophysiology or management of diseases of the small bowel, colon, rectum, or anus.
Amount: $75,000/year for two years
Application Deadline: March 1 (Please note that the Career Development Award will not be funded in 2019. We look forward to restoring funding for this award in the future.)
Review/Notification Date: Summer
Criteria and Application Instructions
PHS 398 Forms and Instructions
Example of a Recently Funded CDA Application
General Surgery Resident Research Initiation Grant
Purpose: To attract General Surgery Residents or recent graduates of such programs into the field of colon and rectal surgery by providing opportunities to engage in clinical or laboratory-based research focused on diseases of the colon, rectum and anus.
Amount: $20,000
Proposal Deadline: August 15 for the 2020 funding cycle (Please note that one General Surgery Resident Research Initiation Grant will be funded in 2019.)
Review/Notification Date: November/December 2019
Criteria and Application Instructions
PHS 398 Forms and Instructions
GSRRIG Face Page for Application
International Fellowship Grant
Purpose: To provide support to research programs that are focused on diseases of the colon, rectum and anus that will ultimately impact how we treat these patients. This grant will focus on providing support to clinical investigators in the United States or Canada who would like to participate in research outside the United States or Canada, including US investigator engagement in global health research projects focused in colorectal surgery. Additionally, funding will be considered to support clinical investigators from outside the United States and Canada who would like to participate in research in the United States or Canada.
Amount: $12,500 for one year
Application Deadline: August 15 for the 2020 funding cycle
Review/Notification Date: November/December
Limited Project Grant (LPG)
Purpose: To provide investigator the opportunity to pursue research interest, specifically germane to the field of colon and rectal surgery. It is anticipated that successful research projects, initially funded through the Research Foundation’s LPG mechanism, will ultimately secure funding from other national funding agencies.
Amount: Up to $25,000/year
Application Deadline: March 1 (Please note that one Limited Project Grant in the amount of $25,000 has been funded for 2019.)
Review/Notification Date: Summer
Medical Student Research Initiation Grant
Purpose: To provide opportunities for Medical Students to participate in clinical or laboratory-based research focused on diseases of the colon, rectum and anus.
Amount: $4,000
Proposal Deadline: March 1 (Please note that one Medical Student Research Initiation Grant will be funded in 2019.)
Review/Notification Date: Summer
Criteria and Application Instructions
PHS 398 Forms and Instructions
MSRIG Student Information
Research in Robotic Surgical Technology
Purpose: The Research in Robotic Surgical Technology Grant provides an investigator the opportunity to pursue research interest, specifically germane to robotic surgical technology in the field of colon and rectal surgery. Innovative projects are encouraged. The Research Committee is particularly interested in fostering collaborative research. Proposals which include two or more institutions may be eligible for additional funding. This grant is supported by Intuitive Surgical Inc.
Amount: $50,000 for one year, or collaborative proposals may be funded up to $100,000 for one year.
Application Deadline: August 15, 2019, for the 2020 funding cycle
Review/Notification Date: November/December 2019
Criteria and Application Instructions
PHS 398 Forms and Instructions
Training in Research Methodology Grant
Purpose: This award provides an opportunity for a graduating CRS resident to attend training that will enhance their career. They may attend one of the following courses: the Career Development Course, Fundamentals of Surgical Research Course from the Association for Academic Surgery (AAS) or the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Health Services Research Methods Course.
Amount: Up to $3,000
Application Deadline: March 1
Review/Notification Date: June
Contact Information:
Research Foundation Administrative Office
Email: [email protected]
Elizabeth Wick, MD, Research Committee Chair
Email: [email protected]