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

Other Support Documentation

Applicants must disclose:

• Active funding
• Pending funding applications
• Potential scientific overlap

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.