Research Seed Funding Grant

The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) is a professional organization dedicated to advancing medicine through excellence in the science, education, and professional practice of medical physics. Through its Education and Research Fund, the AAPM supports innovative research that drives the field forward, particularly in its early stages. The AAPM Science Council sponsors the Research Seed Funding Grant, designed to help promising investigators in medical physics establish new lines of research and position their projects for larger-scale funding from federal sources such as the NIH or similar agencies. The Research Seed Funding Grant provides $25,000 in direct research support to early-career investigators pursuing innovative, investigator-initiated projects. The purpose of the award is to facilitate the development of preliminary data or pilot studies that can serve as the foundation for future competitive grant proposals. Funds may be used for research-related expenses including supplies, equipment, and travel for scientific meetings. The award does not provide salary support for the principal investigator but allows partial salary support for research assistants, trainees, or technicians engaged in the project. Indirect costs are not permitted, and any unspent funds must be returned to the AAPM. A final report and expense summary are required at the end of the 12-month award period. Eligible applicants must be within 10 years of completing their terminal research degree or medical physics residency, whichever occurred later, and must not hold the rank of Associate Professor or higher. Eligible individuals include postdoctoral fellows and research scientists working under mentorship. Applicants must be active AAPM members at the time of application; pending membership status is not sufficient. Individuals with prior research awards exceeding $50,000 as a principal investigator, including institutional startup or industry awards, or those previously funded under the Research Seed Grant program, are not eligible. Exceptions for career breaks may be considered on a case-by-case basis consistent with NIH guidelines. The application process requires submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI) by March 16, 2026, including project title, mentor information, short description, and any potential conflicts of interest. Full applications are due April 17, 2026, and must include a five-page project description organized into specific aims, background, preliminary results, research plan, and literature cited. Supporting materials include a detailed budget, a departmental support letter confirming institutional commitment, and a four-page curriculum vitae. Applicants should plan ahead to ensure AAPM membership is active before submission. The review process will be conducted by the Joint Working Group on Research Seed Funding, with evaluation based on scientific merit, investigator qualifications, innovation, research design, and future funding potential. Decisions will be communicated to applicants by May 30, 2026. Funding will begin on August 31, 2026, and continue for one year through August 31, 2027. Recipients are expected to present their research results at a future AAPM meeting. The program encourages applicants to apply to additional funding opportunities, such as NIH training and research grants, due to the competitive nature of the award. Inquiries and correspondence regarding the program may be directed to the AAPM grants and fellowships office at grantsandfellowships@aapm.org or by calling 571-298-1300.

Emphasize innovation, clear research plan, and NIH funding potential; ensure AAPM membership active before deadline.