Seed Grant Research Program

Program description
An increasing number of young physician scientists are experiencing difficulty finding the resources and support to do research. Consequently, fewer physicians are choosing careers in research which is a terrible loss to medicine.

To address this trend, the AMA Foundation established the Seed Grant Research Program to encourage medical students, physician residents and fellows to enter the research field. The program provides $2,500-$5,000 grants to help them conduct small basic science, applied, or clinical research projects. These funds will round out new project budgets, rather than sustain current initiatives.

2009 program
In March 2009, one-year grants will be awarded in the following research categories:

Cardiovascular/pulmonary diseases
HIV/AIDS
Leukemia
Neoplastic diseases
Secondhand smoke*

*Secondhand smoke grants are supported by the Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute (FAMRI).

To apply for the 2009 Program, download an application (Word, 135KB). The application deadline is Dec. 12, 2008.

Grant amounts
Grants in Cardiovascular/Pulmonary Diseases, HIV/AIDS, Leukemia, and Neoplastic Diseases will be $2,500. Grants in the Secondhand smoke category will be $5,000.

Eligibility and funding restrictions
Seed grant funds cannot be used for salary or stipend, indirect/administrative costs, to hire a consultant or contractor, and solely for travel expenses. Seed grants will not be awarded to any applicant who has previously received an AMA Foundation seed grant in the research category in which they are applying. Applicants must be a medical student, physician resident or fellow of an accredited US medical school or institution; they must also be either a US citizen or a permanent resident of the US. Projects must be applicant-conceived, rather than ongoing research of their mentor or Principal Investigator.

2008 recipients
Congratulations to our 2008 Seed Grant Research Program recipients! View a list of the 2008 recipients (PDF, 38KB).

All grant recipients must submit a Final Report Form (Word, 70KB). Forms should be sent to the AMA Foundation office via mail, e-mail or fax.

Contact
If you have questions, please e-mail or call (312) 464-4200.

Seed grant recipient photos and quotes