The AASM Foundation is pleased to support the professional development of students, clinicians and researchers by offering a growing array of SLEEP Travel Grant opportunities. These grants reduce barriers to first-time attendance at the annual SLEEP meeting so that more members of the sleep community can engage with the latest advances in sleep and circadian research and clinical care.

In 2026, we introduced two new opportunities to broaden our reach. The SLEEP Travel Grant for Medical Students and Residents, which supports medical students and residents with a demonstrated interest in sleep medicine. Grant recipient Manan Shah, a third-year medical student at Drexel University, shared that “this award has provided me with the incredible opportunity to immerse myself in sleep medicine, better understand its real-world practice, and grow through meaningful connections with others in the field.”

In addition, the SLEEP Travel Grant for Patient Advocacy Roundtable has been established to support organizations that are members of the AASM Patient Advocacy Roundtable and have limited financial resources to attend.

Thanks to ongoing support from Dr. Christopher Hope, the SLEEP Travel Grant for Sleep Technologists and Advanced Practice Providers continues to champion the non-physician members of the sleep team. Lauren Smith, RRT-SDS, expressed her enthusiasm: “I am excited to get out of my comfort zone and attend SLEEP 2026. This opportunity will allow me to connect with fellow sleep enthusiasts, explore groundbreaking advancements, and bring a fresh perspective back home.”

Each recipient receives a $2,000 stipend for meeting registration, travel, and accommodations. We are excited to welcome this year’s recipients to SLEEP 2026:

SLEEP Travel Grant for Sleep Technologists and Advanced Practice Providers
This grant was made possible through a generous donation from Christopher Hope, MD, MHA, and James L. Connolly, MD.

  • Erin Braden, FNP-BC
  • Jennifer Charman, RRT-SDS
  • Danielle Dziok, PA-C, RPSGT
  • Audre Hardin, AAS, RRT, RPSGT
  • Amanda Kile, RPSGT, BA, BMA
  • Diana Nunes, MSN
  • Eugene Odom, RPSGT, R. EEG T
  • Shraddha Patel, PA-C
  • Kerrie Richter, RPSGT
  • Lauren Smith, RRT-SDS
  • Maria Sosa, RPSGT
  • Alyssa Tess, PA-C
  • Samantha Faye Tina, RTRP, RPSGT
  • Nathan Workman, FNP

SLEEP Travel Grant for Medical Students and Residents 

  • Cyrus Buckman, MBA
  • Christian John Capirig, MD
  • Miles Fletcher, MD
  • Jongmok Ha, MD
  • Justin Liao, BS
  • Allison Lin, BS
  • Himal Purani, MD
  • Emanuel Salcedo Davila, MD
  • Manan Shah, BS
  • Tamara Sleem, MD, MPH
  • Trevor Stantliff, MD
  • Dorothy Tung, BS
  • Francisco Vizcaino, MD

SLEEP Travel Grant for Sleep Technologists and Advanced Practice Providers