Practice Research Training Scholarship

The American Academy of Neurology is pleased to offer a two-year award to support practice-based research, which is defined as “clinical research that evaluates translation of evidence into best clinical practice.” This may include evaluation of health services, quality of care, implementation of therapies, physician performance, or patient adherence. It is intended to create unique training opportunities previously difficult to access for neurologists. This award aims to recognize the importance of good practice-based research or comparative effectiveness research (CER) and encourage young investigators to use studies to improve health systems and services. The AAN Research Program demonstrates the AAN Board of Directors’ dedication to promoting neurology and neuroscience research and training.

This award will consist of a commitment of $65,000 per year for two years, plus a $10,000 per year stipend to support education and research-related costs for a total of $150,000. Supplementation of the award with other grants is permissible, but to be eligible to apply for this award, the other grant source(s) cannot exceed $75,000 annually.

The American Academy of Neurology is firmly committed to embracing the diversity among our members, applicants, and reviewers and affirms the importance of equity and inclusiveness within the AAN research program.

Please only submit one application. Applicants are not allowed to submit applications for more than one award.

Timeline

• June 2, 2025: Applications open
• September 9, 2025: Application deadline -  Note that this is the deadline for all documents, including those from the mentor and chair.
• January 2026: Notification of recipients
• July 1, 2026: Funding begins

Eligibility

1. For the purpose of this scholarship, research is defined as patient-oriented research conducted with human participants, or translational research specifically designed to develop treatments or enhance diagnosis of neurological disease. These areas of research include epidemiologic or behavioral studies, clinical trials, studies of disease mechanisms, the development of new technologies, and health services and outcomes research.” Disease-related studies not directly involving humans or human tissue are also encouraged if the primary goal is the development of therapies, diagnostic tests, or other tools to prevent or mitigate neurological diseases.
2. Recipient must be interested in an academic career in neurological research with an MD, PhD, or equivalent doctoral-level clinical degree, who has completed clinical residency or PhD no more than 5 years prior to the beginning of this award (July 1, 2026). If you have completed both residency and a PhD, your eligibility is based on when you completed residency. If you completed a fellowship of any kind after residency, your eligibility is still based on the date you finished residency.
3. Applicants at accredited US and international institutions are eligible.

Evaluation and selection

Applications are evaluated by reviewers based on the following criteria:

• Quality and originality of the research plan.
• Applicant’s ability and promise as a clinician-scientist based on prior record of achievement and career plan, and NIH Biosketch.
• Quality and nature of the training to be provided, and the mentor-specific, departmental, and institutional training environment.
• Innovation of the research plan approach.
• Project significance: The ability to progress the field or solve an important problem.

A successful application should include the following:

• Well-developed hypothesis: The hypothesis is testable and presented in clear language.
• Detailed statistical plan: Statistical methods are well-designed and detailed.
• Strong mentorship: There is clear demonstration of strong mentorship to support the project.
• Feasible primary outcomes: Each aim is feasible, focused, and logical.
• Innovation: Project concept is original, novel, and will advance the applicant’s long-term career goals.
• Well-defined training plan: There is a clear and gap-based career development plan.

Required attachment for application

1. PDF of three-page research plan, including brief statements of aims, background, contemplated approaches to methodology, and any supporting preliminary data/figures. References do not count toward the page limit. The research plan should be written by the applicant and should represent their original work. However, the applicant is expected and encouraged to develop this plan based on discussion with the proposed mentor. It is appropriate, but not required, for the proposed work to be specifically related to the mentor’s ongoing research.
2. PDF of applicant’s NIH Biosketch. See the most recent NIH Biosketch template. Once the above information is fully completed and submitted by the applicant:
3. The chair will receive an email with a link asking them to check a box confirming that the applicant’s clinical service responsibilities will be restricted to no more than 30 percent of your time and include a list of the applicant’s non-research-related service. The chair will NOT be asked to submit a letter.
4. The mentor will receive an email with a link to submit a letter of reference detailing their support of and commitment to the applicant and the proposed research and training plan. The letter should be 1,000 words or less and specifically indicate the mentor’s role in the development and preparation of the applicant’s research plan and should include:
   1. How the proposed research fits into the mentor’s research program.
   2. Expertise and experience in the area of research proposed, and the nature of the mentor’s proposed time commitment to the supervision and training of the applicant.
   3. Mentor’s prior experience in the supervision, training, and successful mentoring of clinician-scientists.
   4. Potential for applicant’s future research career and comparison of applicant among other applicants.
   5. Institution's commitment to 70 percent protected research time.
5. The mentor will also be required to upload an NIH Biosketch.