Grants and Awards

The Society offers a range of grant opportunities made available by the Research Foundation Board of Trustees to members of the Society that are subject to the approved budget. There are two cycles of funding opportunities, spring and fall, with submission deadlines May 1 and August 15. Other grant categories are funded if and when resources permit as determined by the Board of Trustees. Potential applicants are advised to contact the Research Foundation office well in advance of any proposed application date to seek clarification and advice about the forthcoming funding cycle. Members are encouraged to contact the chair of the Research Committee directly for points of clarification. Please see contact information at the bottom of the page.

Grant Writing Suggestions

Grant Update: 2020 Calendar Year

Recommended by the Research Committee and approved by the Board; for 2020, we will offer the following awards: the Career Development Award ($75,000/year for two years), the Limited Project Grant (Up to $25,000/year), Medical Student Research Initiation Grants ($4,000), International Fellowship Grants ($12,500/year), General Surgery Resident Research Initiation Grants ($20,000/year) and the Training in Research Methodology Grant (up to $3,000). The number of Research in Robotic Surgical Technology Grants to be awarded will continue to depend on industry funding.

Foundation leadership has taken decisive action to operate responsibly and realistically within current budget constraints, and with respect for the investment of members and corporate partners in the continued long-term health of the Foundation.

May 1 application deadline:

August 15 application deadline:

The Research Foundation of ASCRS offers the following grants:

Career Development Award

Purpose: To provide young surgeons with the support necessary for the initiation and development of an academic career in colorectal surgery. The CDA focuses on career development and mentorship of the individual rather than solely on the research proposal. The award is intended for the academic investigator demonstrating significant creativity in research relevant to the pathophysiology or management of diseases of the colon, rectum, anus or small bowel.

Amount:  $75,000/year for two years
Application Deadline: May 1
Review/Notification Date: Summer 

Criteria and Application Instructions
PHS 398 Forms and Instructions   
Example of a Recently Funded CDA Application
Grant Recipient Testimonials

General Surgery Resident Research Initiation Grant

Purpose: To attract General Surgery Residents or recent graduates of such programs into the field of colon and rectal surgery by providing opportunities to engage in clinical or laboratory-based research focused on diseases of the colon, rectum and anus.

Amount:  $20,000
Proposal Deadline: August 15 for the 2021 funding cycle
Review/Notification Date: November/December

Criteria and Application Instructions 
PHS 398 Forms and Instructions
GSRRIG Face Page for Application
Grant Recipient Testimonials

International Fellowship Grant

Purpose: To provide support to research programs that are focused on diseases of the colon, rectum and anus that will ultimately impact how we treat these patients. This grant will focus on providing support to clinical investigators in the United States or Canada who would like to participate in research outside the United States or Canada, including US investigator engagement in global health research projects focused in colorectal surgery. Additionally, funding will be considered to support clinical investigators from outside the United States and Canada who would like to participate in research in the United States or Canada.

Amount: $12,500 for one year
Application Deadline: August 15 for the 2021 funding cycle
Review/Notification Date: November/December

Criteria and Application Instructions
PHS 398 Forms and Instructions
Grant Recipient Testimonials

Limited Project Grant (LPG)

Purpose:  To provide investigators the opportunity to pursue research interest, specifically germane to the field of colon and rectal surgery. It is anticipated that successful research projects, initially funded through the Research Foundation’s LPG mechanism, will ultimately secure funding from other national funding agencies.

Amount:  Up to $25,000/year
Application Deadline: May 1
Review/Notification Date: Summer

Criteria and Application Instructions 
PHS 398 Forms and Instructions
Example of a Recently Funded LPG Application
Grant Recipient Testimonials

Medical Student Research Initiation Grant

Purpose:  To provide opportunities for Medical Students to participate in clinical or laboratory-based research focused on diseases of the colon, rectum and anus.

Amount:  $4,000
Proposal Deadline:  May 1 
Review/Notification Date: Summer

Criteria and Application Instructions 
PHS 398 Forms and Instructions
MSRIG Student Information
Grant Recipient Testimonials

Research in Robotic Surgical Technology

Purpose:  The Research in Robotic Surgical Technology Grant provides an investigator the opportunity to pursue research interests, specifically germane to robotic surgical technology in the field of colon and rectal surgery. Innovative projects are encouraged. The Research Committee is particularly interested in fostering collaborative research.  Proposals which include two or more institutions may be eligible for additional funding. This grant is supported by Intuitive Surgical Inc.

Amount:  $50,000 for one year, or collaborative proposals may be funded up to $100,000 for one year.
Application Deadline:  August 15 for the 2021 funding cycle
Review/Notification Date: November/December

Criteria and Application Instructions
PHS 398 Forms and Instructions

Training in Research Methodology Grant

Purpose: This award provides an opportunity for a graduating CRS resident to attend training that will enhance their career. They may attend one of the following courses: the Career Development Course, Fundamentals of Surgical Research Course or the Early Career Development Course offered by the Association for Academic Surgery (AAS) or the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Health Services Research Methods Course. 

Amount:  Up to $3,000
Application Deadline:  May 1
Review/Notification Date:  Summer

• Criteria
• Application

Example Midterm Progress Report

Contact Information:

Research Foundation Administrative Office
Email:  rf@fascrs.org

Fergal Fleming, MD, MPH, FRCSI, FACS Research Committee Chair
Email:   fergal_fleming@urmc.rochester.edu