The AASM Foundation is committed to developing the careers of sleep and circadian investigators. To meet this goal, the AASM Foundation encourages and supports the development of a diverse and well-trained sleep and circadian research workforce. The AASM Foundation recently launched the Diversity Supplement Award to support individuals from groups identified as underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral and social sciences.

“We are dedicated to growing the pipeline of sleep and circadian researchers who reflect the diverse communities we serve. With the launch of our Diversity Supplement Award, we are excited to support the careers of rising researchers who are members of minority groups traditionally underrepresented in U.S. science,” said AASM Foundation President Dr. Anita V. Shelgikar.

Investigators holding an active AASM Foundation research award may request supplemental funds to add to the diversity of their sleep and circadian research team. The Diversity Supplement Award provides an opportunity for AASM Foundation-funded investigators to support mentored sleep and circadian research training of promising students, post-doctoral fellows and clinical fellows who are members of minority groups traditionally underrepresented in U.S. science to participate in AASM Foundation-funded research projects.

The Diversity Supplement Award provides funds of up to 20% of the parent award (no more than $50,000 per award). The mentored research training and experience provided as part of the award can last from 8 weeks to as long as 3 years, allowing for candidates to be short-term interns on the projects to full-time staff. Candidates to be supported through the Diversity Supplement Award must be:

  • Students who are enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or health professional degree-granting program, enrolled in a post-baccalaureate program, are within one year of completing bachelors, masters or doctoral degree and taking a gap year in their education, clinical residents, post-doctoral fellows, or clinical fellows.
  • From one of the groups identified as underrepresented in the U.S. biomedical, clinical, behavioral and social sciences by the National Science Foundation.

The AASM Foundation is encouraging current award recipients to consider applying for the supplemental award. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through December 31, 2021 or until all budgeted funds are awarded.