Practice Research Training Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by American Academy of Neurology

Overview

This award from the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) supports two years of practice-based clinical research that evaluates translation of evidence into clinical practice, including health services, quality of care, implementation science, physician performance, and patient adherence. It is designed to create training opportunities for early-career neurologists and to promote comparative effectiveness research that improves health systems and services. The AAN Research Program reflects the Board of Directors' commitment to advancing neurology and neuroscience research and training.

Description: A two‑year award supporting practice‑based and comparative effectiveness research to train and advance early‑career clinician‑scientists.

• Focus on translation of evidence into best clinical practice and CER.
• Targets early‑career neurologists with academic research intent.
• Supports training and career development in neurology research.

Award Details

The award provides a two‑year funding commitment consisting of $65,000 per year for project support plus a $10,000 per year stipend for education and research-related costs, totaling $150,000. Recipients may supplement this award with other grants, provided the combined external support does not exceed $75,000 annually. The program emphasizes equity and inclusiveness in selection, and applicants may submit only one application across AAN awards.

Award Value: $65,000 per year for two years plus $10,000 per year stipend; supplementation allowed within limits.

• Total award value: $150,000 over two years.
• Supplementary grants permitted if other sources ≤ $75,000/year.
• Applicants may submit only one application to AAN awards.

Timeline

Key dates for this competition include the application opening, submission deadline, recipient notification, and funding start. Applications open on June 2, 2026, and the application deadline is in September 2026; applicants must ensure all elements, including mentor and chair inputs, are submitted by that deadline. Recipients will be notified in January 2027 and funding begins July 1, 2027.

Application Timeline: Open 2 June 2026; deadline in September 2026; notifications January 2027; funding begins 1 July 2027.

• Applications open: June 2, 2026.
• Application deadline: September 2026 (all elements due).
• Notifications: January 2027; funding starts July 1, 2027.

Eligibility

Eligible research includes patient‑oriented and translational studies aimed at developing treatments or improving diagnosis of neurological disease, as well as related epidemiologic, behavioral, clinical trial, mechanistic, technology development, and health services research. Applicants must be AAN members with an MD, PhD, or equivalent doctoral clinical degree who have completed clinical residency or a PhD within five years prior to the award start date (July 1, 2027); if both residency and PhD were completed, eligibility is based on residency completion. Applicants at accredited institutions in the United States and internationally are eligible.

Eligibility: AAN member with appropriate doctoral-level degree; specific time‑since‑completion rules apply; US and international institutions eligible.

• Research scope: patient‑oriented, translational, epidemiologic, clinical, technology, and health services research.
• Applicant qualifications: MD, PhD, or equivalent; residency or PhD completed ≤5 years before July 1, 2027.
• Eligibility for those with both degrees is tied to residency completion date; fellowships after residency do not extend eligibility.

Evaluation and selection

Applications are reviewed for the scientific quality and originality of the research plan, the applicant's promise as a clinician‑scientist, the quality of the training and mentorship environment, innovation of the approach, and the project's significance to neurology. Reviewers also assess the applicant's prior achievements, career plan, and the detail and rigor of proposed statistical methods. A successful application clearly states a testable hypothesis, feasible aims, a defined training plan, strong mentorship, and a detailed statistical plan.

Evaluation criteria: Quality/originality, applicant potential, training environment, innovation, and project significance.

• Primary review factors: research plan quality, applicant promise, mentorship and institutional environment, innovation, and significance.
• Successful applications present a clear hypothesis, focused feasible aims, and detailed statistical methods.
• Training plan and mentor commitment are critical components of the review.

Application materials and mentor requirements

Applicants must submit specified attachments as PDFs and complete the online application so that mentor and chair notifications can be triggered. Required materials include a three‑page research plan, the applicant's NIH Biosketch, a training plan of up to two pages, and mentor and chair confirmations; the chair submits a time‑commitment confirmation (not a letter), and the mentor submits a reference letter and their NIH Biosketch. Mentor letters must be ≤1,000 words and address the mentor's role, fit of the project with the mentor's program, mentor expertise and time commitment, prior mentoring experience, assessment of the applicant's potential, and institutional commitment to protected research time.

Required attachments: Research plan PDF, applicant NIH Biosketch, training plan, mentor letter and biosketch, and chair confirmation.

1. Three‑page research plan (PDF) with aims, background, methodology, and any preliminary data; references are excluded from the page limit and the plan should be the applicant’s original work.
2. Applicant NIH Biosketch (PDF), using the current NIH template.
3. Training plan (PDF), up to two pages, summarizing prior training, proposed training activities, and timeline.
4. Chair confirmation: the chair will receive a link to confirm clinical responsibilities will be ≤30% and to list non‑research service; no letter required from the chair.
5. Mentor letter (≤1,000 words) describing support and commitment, the mentor’s role in the research plan, and addressing how the project fits the mentor’s program, the mentor’s expertise and time commitment, prior mentoring experience, the applicant’s future potential, and institutional commitment to 70% protected research time.
6. Mentor NIH Biosketch (PDF) to be uploaded by the mentor.

• Prepare PDFs for research plan, NIH biosketches, and training plan before submission.
• Ensure the mentor is prepared to submit a timely letter and biosketch.
• Complete the applicant submission in time for chair and mentor elements to be submitted by the deadline.