If you are a surgical resident with a passion for research and dreams of shaping the future of academic surgery, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Resident Research Scholarships are now open for applications. This prestigious two-year funding opportunity is specifically designed to support residents in general surgery or any surgical specialty training program in the United States or Canada.
Backed by the generosity of Fellows, Chapters, and friends of the ACS, this scholarship allows young surgeons to dedicate themselves fully to meaningful research projects without compromising their residency commitments.
What Makes This Scholarship Special?
The ACS Resident Research Scholarships provide:
- Two years of funding to conduct full-time surgical research.
- The chance to work under the mentorship of an ACS Fellow with a structured research and training plan.
- An opportunity to strengthen your academic career path—right at the intersection of clinical training and innovation.
Who Can Apply?
This opportunity is open to:
- Resident Members of the ACS who have completed at least two postgraduate years in an accredited surgical training program in the U.S. or Canada.
- Applicants from all surgical specialties who will still be in residency during the scholarship period (research after chief residency is not supported).
- Institutions and applicants from diverse backgrounds—though in rare cases, only one award will be made per institution.
What Do You Need to Submit?
Your application must include:
- Research Title & Executive Summary (400 words max).
- Full Research Proposal (up to 5 pages) including aims, strategy, and references.
- Detailed 2-year Budget with justification.
- Letters of Support: one from your institution’s fiscal officer, one from your department chair confirming residency status and research time, and one from your primary mentor (who must be an ACS Fellow).
- NIH-style Biosketch for both you and your mentor.
Applications that don’t follow formatting and submission rules will not be considered—so precision matters.
Application Dates
The application cycle is open now, and the last date to apply is August 25, 2025. Successful applicants will begin their funded research period soon after.