Deadline: 29-Jun-2026
The Focused Projects Grant for Junior Investigators provides up to $50,000 in seed funding for early career researchers in sleep and circadian science. It supports mentored research across basic, clinical, translational, and population studies, with a required focus on idiopathic hypersomnia, pediatric sleep, or sleep apnea for the 2026 cycle. The grant duration is one year and targets investigators within 10 years of their terminal or clinical training.
Overview of the Grant Program
The Focused Projects Grant for Junior Investigators is designed to support early career researchers developing expertise in sleep and circadian science. It provides structured, mentored funding to help investigators establish an independent research trajectory and build a competitive academic portfolio.
The programme emphasizes high-quality scientific research with strong mentorship and clear career development outcomes.
Research Scope and Focus Areas
The grant supports a wide range of sleep and circadian science research approaches.
Eligible research types include:
- Basic science research
- Translational research
- Clinical research
- Population-based studies
- Animal research
- Human subjects research (exempt and non-exempt)
- Evaluation and methodological studies
Mandatory Focus Areas (Cycle 2, 2026)
Applicants must address at least one of the following topics:
- Idiopathic hypersomnia
- Pediatric sleep disorders
- Sleep apnea (diagnosis, management, or treatment)
Funding Details
The programme provides targeted seed funding for early-stage research development.
Funding structure:
- Maximum grant amount: up to $50,000
- Duration: 1 year
- Funding type: direct research support (seed funding)
Eligible expenses include:
- Personnel costs and salary support
- Fringe benefits
- Research supplies and materials
- Publication and dissemination costs
- Conference travel for presenting results
- Abstract submission expenses
Applicants must provide a detailed budget with justification for all direct costs.
Eligibility Criteria
The grant is specifically targeted at early career investigators under mentored research arrangements.
Applicant requirements:
- Must hold one of the following degrees:
- MD, DO, DDS, DMD, DNP, DNSc, PharmD, PhD, or equivalent
- Must be within 10 years of:
- Terminal degree completion, or
- Postdoctoral training, or
- Clinical training
- Must have a mentored research plan
Additional eligibility conditions:
- International applicants are eligible if funding can be received in USD
- Prior independent research funding must not exceed $250,000 (with limited exceptions for training grants)
- Individuals with financial conflicts of interest in the project are not eligible
- Current/recent AASM Board members are restricted from participation for one year after term
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a structured and complete research proposal package.
Required documents include:
- Research plan
- Mentoring plan
- NIH-format biosketch
- Budget and justification
- Letters of support
- Documentation for animal or human research (if applicable)
- Other support disclosures
Additional requirements:
- Attestation confirming originality and accuracy of work
- Resubmissions must include responses to reviewer feedback (if applicable)
Review and Selection Process
Applications undergo administrative and scientific review.
Key process points:
- Applications are checked for completeness after submission
- Incomplete applications may be rejected
- Funding decisions are announced by October 30, 2026
- Resubmissions are evaluated with prior review feedback considered
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is this grant designed for?
- It provides seed funding for early career investigators conducting mentored research in sleep and circadian science.
- What is the funding amount?
- The grant provides:
- Up to $50,000 per project
- Funding duration of 1 year
- The grant provides:
- What research topics are required?
- For Cycle 2 (2026), applicants must focus on:
- Idiopathic hypersomnia
- Pediatric sleep
- Sleep apnea
- For Cycle 2 (2026), applicants must focus on:
- Who can apply?
- Eligible applicants include:
- Early career researchers with MD, PhD, or equivalent degrees
- Investigators within 10 years of training completion
- International applicants (if USD funding is supported)
- Eligible applicants include:
- What types of research are supported?
- Supported research includes:
- Basic, clinical, translational, and population studies
- Animal and human subjects research
- Evaluation and methodological studies
- Supported research includes:
- What expenses are covered?
- Covered costs include:
- Personnel and salary support
- Research supplies
- Publication and travel costs
- Conference presentations
- Covered costs include:
Conclusion
The Focused Projects Grant for Junior Investigators supports early career researchers in advancing sleep and circadian science through mentored, topic-focused research. By providing structured seed funding and strong mentorship requirements, the programme helps build foundational expertise in high-priority sleep disorders while supporting the development of independent research careers.
For more information, visit AASM Foundation.