Deadline: 29-Jun-2026

The Physician Scientist Training Grant provides up to $100,000 over two years to support early-career physician-scientists conducting mentored research in sleep medicine and circadian science. The program focuses on advancing scientific knowledge in sleep disorders, sleep-related interventions, and circadian biology while providing protected research time and structured career development support.

Eligible applicants include physician-scientists with MD, DO, or equivalent medical degrees who are within 10 years of completing clinical or post-doctoral training or beginning their first faculty appointment. Both U.S. and international researchers may apply, subject to funding restrictions and eligibility requirements.

What Is the Physician Scientist Training Grant?

The Physician Scientist Training Grant is a research funding program designed to support the next generation of physician-scientists working in sleep medicine and circadian science research.

The grant provides financial support and protected research time for mentored scientific projects that advance understanding of sleep disorders, circadian rhythms, sleep-related interventions, and related clinical research areas.

The program is intended to help early-career investigators develop independent research careers while contributing meaningful scientific discoveries to the field of sleep and circadian medicine.

Program Objectives

The grant program aims to:

Support early-career physician-scientists
Advance sleep and circadian science research
Promote mentored scientific training
Encourage development of independent investigators
Improve understanding of sleep disorders and treatments
Strengthen research capacity in sleep medicine
Support translational and clinical research innovation

Research Areas Supported

The program funds mentored research projects related to sleep medicine and circadian science.

Eligible Research Topics Include:

Sleep Disorders Research

Projects may focus on:

Insomnia
Sleep apnea
Narcolepsy
Circadian rhythm disorders
Pediatric sleep disorders
Sleep-related breathing disorders

Sleep-Related Interventions

Research involving:

Behavioral therapies
Clinical interventions
Pharmacological approaches
Sleep treatment outcomes
Preventive strategies

Circadian Science Research

Projects exploring:

Biological rhythms
Circadian regulation
Sleep-wake cycles
Chronobiology
Circadian disruption and disease

Human or Animal Subject Research

Both clinical and preclinical studies may be eligible where appropriate ethical approvals are obtained.

Research Methodology and Evaluation

The grant supports projects involving:

Innovative research methodologies
Data analysis approaches
Evaluation frameworks
Sleep research databases
Outcome measurement systems

Funding Details

Maximum Grant Amount

The program provides:

Up to $100,000 total funding
Funding distributed over a two-year period

Allowable Expenses

Grant funding may support:

Personnel effort
Salary support
Fringe benefits
Research supplies
Publication costs
Conference abstract submissions
Scientific conference travel
Research presentation expenses

Budget Requirements

Applicants must provide:

Detailed budget documentation
Budget justifications for all direct costs
Clear explanation of requested funding use

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible Applicants

Applicants must:

Hold an MD, DO, or equivalent medical degree
Be early-career physician-scientists
Conduct research related to sleep or circadian science

Career Stage Requirements

Applicants must be:

Within 10 years of completing post-doctoral training, OR
Within 10 years of completing clinical training, OR
Within 10 years of starting their first faculty appointment

International Applicants

Both U.S. and international applicants are eligible unless restricted by sanctions regulations.

Who Is Not Eligible?

Applicants are not eligible if they:

Have received more than $250,000 in independent research funding
Are located in countries subject to U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions
Are affiliated with organizations in sanctioned countries

Funding Exceptions

Post-doctoral or fellowship-level training grants primarily covering salary support do not count toward the $250,000 funding limit.

Required Application Materials

Applicants must submit comprehensive research and career development documentation.

Required Documents Include:

Research Plan

A detailed proposal describing:

Research objectives
Study design
Scientific methodology
Expected outcomes
Project significance

Mentoring Plan

Applicants must explain:

Mentor involvement
Career development strategy
Research supervision structure
Training objectives

NIH-Format Biosketches

Applications must include standardized biosketches for:

Applicants
Mentors
Key collaborators

Letters of Support

Support letters may include:

Mentor endorsements
Institutional support
Collaborative partner commitments

Compliance Documentation

Where applicable, applications must include:

Human subjects approvals
Animal research compliance materials
Ethical review information

Application Review Process

Completeness Review

Applications undergo an administrative review to ensure all required materials are included.

Incomplete applications may be disqualified at the discretion of the AASM Foundation.

Scientific and Programmatic Review

Applications are evaluated based on:

Scientific quality
Research significance
Feasibility
Mentor qualifications
Career development potential
Institutional support
Budget justification

Resubmitted Applications

Applicants resubmitting proposals must include:

Responses to prior reviewer critiques
Explanation of revisions and improvements

Funding Timeline

Expected Funding Decision Date

Funding decisions are expected no later than October 30, 2026.

Applicants should plan research timelines and institutional approvals accordingly.

Why This Grant Matters

Supporting Physician-Scientist Careers

Early-career physician-scientists often face challenges balancing clinical responsibilities with research development.

This grant provides protected research time that helps investigators:

Build research expertise
Develop publication records
Generate pilot data
Establish long-term research careers

Advancing Sleep Medicine Research

Sleep disorders affect millions globally and contribute to:

Cardiovascular disease
Mental health conditions
Cognitive impairment
Reduced quality of life

Funding innovative sleep and circadian research can improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies.

Strengthening Translational Research

The program supports research that bridges:

Basic science
Clinical medicine
Population health
Therapeutic innovation

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Verify:

Degree qualifications
Career stage eligibility
Funding history compliance
Institutional eligibility

Step 2: Develop a Strong Research Proposal

Prepare a detailed project plan covering:

Scientific rationale
Hypothesis
Methodology
Timeline
Expected outcomes

Step 3: Build a Mentorship Team

Applicants should identify experienced mentors with expertise in:

Sleep medicine
Circadian biology
Clinical research
Career development

Step 4: Prepare Required Documents

Gather:

NIH-format biosketches
Letters of support
Compliance approvals
Budget documentation
Other support statements

Step 5: Review for Completeness

Before submission, confirm that all required materials are included to avoid administrative disqualification.

Tips for a Strong Application

Focus on Scientific Impact

Clearly explain how the research advances sleep and circadian science.

Demonstrate Career Development Value

Show how the project supports long-term research independence.

Include a Detailed Mentoring Plan

Strong mentorship structures are often critical for competitive applications.

Provide Realistic Timelines

Project milestones and timelines should be achievable within the two-year funding period.

Address Potential Funding Overlap

Clearly explain distinctions between current, pending, and proposed funding sources.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Incomplete Applications

Missing documents or compliance materials may result in disqualification.

Weak Mentoring Plans

Applications lacking structured mentorship may appear less competitive.

Unclear Research Objectives

Research aims should be specific, measurable, and scientifically justified.

Poor Budget Justification

All requested expenses should directly support the proposed research activities.

Insufficient Response to Reviewer Feedback

Resubmissions should directly address previous reviewer concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much funding is available?

The grant provides up to $100,000 over a two-year period.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include early-career physician-scientists with MD, DO, or equivalent medical degrees working in sleep and circadian science research.

Are international applicants eligible?

Yes. International applicants may apply unless they or their institutions are located in countries subject to OFAC sanctions.

What research topics are supported?

The program supports research related to sleep disorders, circadian science, sleep interventions, clinical research methods, and related human or animal studies.

Can applicants with prior funding apply?

Applicants who have received more than $250,000 in independent research funding are generally not eligible, with limited exceptions for training grants primarily covering salary support.

What documents are required?

Applications typically require research plans, mentoring plans, biosketches, budget documentation, letters of support, and compliance materials for human or animal research.

When will funding decisions be announced?

Funding decisions are expected no later than October 30, 2026.

Conclusion

The Physician Scientist Training Grant provides critical support for early-career physician-scientists pursuing innovative research in sleep medicine and circadian science.

By funding mentored research projects, protected research time, and career development activities, the program helps build the next generation of scientific leaders working to improve understanding and treatment of sleep-related disorders.

Applicants with strong scientific proposals, experienced mentors, clear career development plans, and well-prepared application materials are best positioned for success.

For more information, visit AASM Foundation.