Sleep Research Program for Advancing Careers

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS!
Issue Date: | February 8, 2021 |
Application Due Date: | March 29, 2021 by 11:59 pm ET |
Award Selection Notification: | By June 25, 2021 |
Start of SOAR Fellowship: | August 2, 2021 |
End of SOAR Fellowship: | June 8, 2022 |
Amount of Award: | |
Selected SOAR fellows will be awarded:
|
In an effort to expand the field of sleep medicine with highly qualified researchers that will lead breakthrough discoveries in circadian science and sleep research, the AASM Foundation is committed to the growing and supporting the pipeline of sleep scientists by investing in the research careers of new investigators through mentorship and grantsmanship training opportunities.
The Sleep Research Program for Advancing Careers is to launch the research careers of sleep and circadian investigators. By the end of the 10-month Sleep Research Program for Advancing Careers, early career investigators will have the skills and resources necessary to successfully apply for a National Institutes of Health, Veteran Affairs, AASM Foundation career development grant, or equivalent award.
The tentative 2021-2022 Sleep Research Program for Advancing Careers curriculum can be found below.
Download the 2021-2022 Sleep Research Program for Advancing Careers Curriculum
The Sleep Research Program for Advancing Careers provides a travel scholarship for the 2022 Mid-Year Grant Writing Symposia in Miami, FL and SLEEP 2022 in Charlotte, NC. It will also provide discretionary funds of up to $3,000 to be used towards activities and/or training for developing and submitting a competitive application to the funding agency of their choice.
Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on travel, in-person events may be held virtually. Selected applicants will be notified if the in-person events will need to be held virtually at the start of program.
The following individuals are eligible to apply:
- Physicians (MD or DO) who are board-eligible or board-certified in sleep medicine by the American Board of Sleep Medicine or by a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties and have completed their sleep medicine fellowship within the past 10 years, or who are currently enrolled in an ACGME-accredited sleep medicine fellowship program are eligible to apply.
- Researchers (PhD or other similar doctoral degree) who are within 10 years of completing their post-doctoral training or who are current post-doctoral fellows.
- Must members of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
The following individuals are NOT eligible to apply:
- Individuals who have received a career development award (NIH K grant, VA Career Development Award, AASM Foundation Career Development Award, or equivalent), or independent research funding (NIH R01 or equivalent) are not eligible to apply.
The AASM Foundation Research Fellowship Committee will evaluate and score all submitted applications. Factors that will be taken into consideration include:
- Contribution to Science: Clear commitment to an academic sleep research career through publication and project efforts, and training to date.
- Research Goals:Current or planned research is scientifically sound.
- Career Plan: Focused future career goals in sleep research. Clear career development award/grant identified and how submitting grant application at the end of the Sleep Research Program for Advancing Careers will facilitate advancement in sleep research.
- Mentoring Expectations/Needs:Clear need for mentoring through the SOAR. Plan and expectations for how SOAR mentor will help fill gaps in knowledge, skillset, and abilities.
- Appropriateness: How participation in the SOAR will enhance the applicant’s career trajectory in successfully applying for extramural career development funding.
Step 1: AASM Foundation Grant Request registration
To apply for the Sleep Research Program for Advancing Careers, you must register on AASM Foundation Grant Request. Please refer to the AASM Foundation Grant Request User Access Guide for guidance on setting-up an account.
Step 2: Complete application
ACCESS THE 2021-2022 SLEEP RESEARCH PROGRAM FOR ADVANCING CAREERS APPLICATION
We encourage potential applicants to contact us early in the application process with questions. Eligibility questions may need to be reviewed by a member of the AASM Foundation Executive Committee, so please allow for at least a 1-week response time for eligibility questions. For all other inquiries, please allow a minimum of two business days for a response. Please note that questions received within 48 hours of an application deadline may not be answered before the deadline. Full applications must be completed and submitted through AASM Foundation Grant Request. Instructions for required forms are available via the online submission system.
Meet the 2020-2021 SOAR Fellows

Mihaela Bazalakova, MD, PhD
University of Wisconsin, Madison
SOAR Mentor: Louise O’Brien, PhD, MS

Omonigho M. Bubu MD, MPH, PhD
NYU Grossman School of Medicine
SOAR Mentor: Brendan Lucey, MD, MSCI

Lu Dong, PhD, MHS
RAND Corporation
SOAR Mentor: Michael Grandner, PhD, MTR

Sonya S. Kaur, PhD
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
SOAR Mentor: Phyllis Zee, MD, PhD

Jack S. Peltz, PhD
Daemen College
SOAR Mentor: Safwan Badr, MD, MBA
Meet the 2020 SOAR Mentors



Safwan Badr, MD, MBA
Wayne State
Susmita Chowdhuri, MD, MS
Wayne State & Detroit VAMC
Constance Fung, MD, MSHS
UCLA/VA Greater Los Angeles



Michael Grandner, PhD, MTR
University of Arizona
Nalaka Gooneratne, MD
University of Pennsylvania
Brendan Lucey, MD, MSCI
Washington University



Louise O’Brien, PhD, MS
Michigan Medicine
Abdulghani Sankari, MD, PhD
Wayne State
Phyllis C. Zee, MD, PhD
Northwestern University
