��ɫ�� Research Grant

About

The purpose of the ��ɫ�� Research Grant is to study the effectiveness of neurologic education programs. Three grants, $10,000 each, are to be awarded based on the quality of proposal and merits of the project. The time period for these projects is January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.

AAN definition of education research: For the purpose of this grant, “education research” is defined as the qualitative and/or quantitative study of hypothesis-driven observations or interventions on the acquisition and/or expansion of neurology knowledge or training.

Timeline

Applications open: May 5, 2025
Applications close: July 7, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CT

Background information

��ɫ�� research grants may be awarded to:

Study the effectiveness of neurologic educational programs, methods, and tools to ensure they are meeting the life-long needs of their constituents (e.g., medical students, residents, fellows, practicing neurologists, and/or non-neurologists).
Strengthen and expand the educational programs of the AAN for purpose of quality improvement and credentialing (e.g., ACCME accreditation).
Enhance and advance training of neurology educators in conducting and publishing educational research to support their career development and opportunities as leaders and scholars in medical education.

Eligibility

Eligible recipients include any AAN member involved in neurology practice and/or education.
Medical Students, Residents, and Fellows (Student and Junior Member categories) are ALSO eligible to apply under the mentorship of an AAN member.
The principal investigator must be an AAN member.
Proposals that have been previously submitted will be considered and accepted; however, a complete description on how the new proposal is different (i.e., how you responded to critiques and feedback) from the previous submission should be included with the new submission.

Application

Application elements include: title page, research proposal, references, budget justification, CV of investigator, and statement of endorsement. IRB status may be obtained after the award is granted, if not prior to the grant term. The application must be 3/4-inch margins and 12 pt. font minimum. Additional details include:

Title page: Include project title, principal investigator’s name, title, institutional affiliation, address, phone number, and email address, as well as the names, titles, and institutional affiliations of the other investigators. (1 page)
Research proposal: Include a well-defined research problem, relevance of the project to the discipline of neurology education, existing knowledge about the research problem, proposed hypotheses and aims, methodology including the study design, subject population/sample size as relevant, data collection, outcomes, analysis/assessment tools, and the study duration/timeline. Include a summary statement of how the proposal will improve neurology education and how the grant will further the applicant’s career. (Up to 4 pages) Please use the Neurology^® (journal) reference style. References do not count towards the page limit.
Budget justification: The submitted budget must be intrinsic to the methodology (i.e., collecting data) in executing the study. In a brief budget justification, summarize how the funds will be spent, delineating between personnel costs, equipment, travel, additional research support, etc. A maximum of 10% of the total grant budget may be designated for indirect costs. Applications with the intent to obtain matching funds from another source will be considered and should include details as appropriate. The detailed budget submitted to the other funding source should be included as an appendix to the proposal. (1 page)
CV: A CV or updated biosketch for the principal investigator, and mentor if the principal investigator is a trainee, must be submitted with the proposal (2-4 pages per CV).
Statement of endorsement: Statement of endorsement or support to be signed by the Department Chair, Division Head, or Vice Chair of ��ɫ�� for the faculty. For medical students, a signature from a supervising faculty member is sufficient. For residents or fellows, a signature from the Program Director is sufficient.

Review process

Applications will be reviewed and selected by the ��ɫ�� Research Workgroup based on the following AAN judging/selection criteria:

The extent to which the proposed research is innovative and advances quality or impact of neurology education and/or improve care for patients with neurological disease. Outstanding proposals will address a clearly documented gap in neurology education and have high potential to add new generalizable knowledge or practice-changing insight.
The soundness of the education research design or methodology. Outstanding proposals will have a clear conceptual framework and appropriate study design within that framework. The data sampling and analytical plan will be highly valid and pre-specified.
The qualifications of the principal investigator and the supporting environment. Outstanding proposals will have investigators with a clear understanding of education research or have mentoring co-investigators with a record of accomplishment in this area.
The relevance/significance and potential impact of the proposed research and its alignment with the overall educational goals and objectives of the AAN/AANI.
The appropriateness of the budget and timeline, and adequacy of available resources to complete the project. Outstanding proposals will have a realistic 12-month timeline with a budget that aligns closely with the proposed methods.

Upon acceptance

The principal investigator must:

Submit a letter of IRB approval prior to the release of grant funding.
Complete questionnaires at 6, 9 & 12 months.

Upon completion

Awardees will be invited to give a short presentation to the education research working group and receive an invitation to participate in education scholarship sessions at the AAN Annual Meeting.

Questions?

For more information or questions, please contact Katie Anderson, Scientific ��ɫ�� Program Manager at kanderson@aan.com.