Combined Pilot Research Grants: ACAPS/PSF

The Combined Pilot Research Grants by the Plastic Surgery Foundation and ACAPS aim to fund innovative pilot research projects in academic plastic surgery, focusing on education and global health. Grants of up to $15,000 are available for one-year projects. Applicants must hold a relevant degree, be affiliated with a U.S. or Canadian institution, and have ties to ACAPS. This initiative encourages pioneering research that addresses significant questions in the field, promoting the development of surgeon scientists.

The PSF, along with the AAHS, AAPPS, AAPS, ACAPS, ASMS, ASPN, ASRM, CSPS and PSRC, recognizes the importance of promoting innovative research in hand surgery, academic plastic surgery related to research, peripheral nerve research, microsurgery and stimulating fundamental research in plastic surgery. Together, these subspecialty organizations are dedicated to fostering the development of surgeon scientists and are committed to increasing the amount of research dollars, in order to fund pilot research studies that set the stage for investigators to apply to larger funding agencies.
The American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons (ACAPS), in conjunction with The Plastic Surgery Foundation (The PSF), is seeking grant applications to fund the preliminary or pilot phase of research that is of interest to ACAPS. While we encourage research in any field related to academic plastic surgery and will consider all applications. ACAPS has two focus areas. ACAPS is particularly interested in topics related to education and/or global health. The following is not an all-inclusive list but rather some topics/questions which would be considered appropriate for submission to this mechanism that the research might address:
Education:What are the essential aspects of plastic surgery that all medical students should learn, and what is the best way to teach it to them?How do we encourage the best students to pursue a career in plastic surgery, particularly those who are not exposed to plastic surgeons in their medical school?How can simulation be used effectively in training plastic surgery residents?
How do we assess residents for mastery of the core competencies?
What is the best way to teach and assess the technical skills of plastic surgery, such as microsurgery?
In light of the changing support for residency programs and the increasing need for plastic surgeons, what is the best training format for plastic surgeons?What is the value of plastic surgeons to a hospital?
Does protected time actually lead to increased plastic surgery scholarship?Global Health:What is the current access to safe effective reconstructive surgical care and how does that match the population need in a specific community in a low or middle-income country?What are the barriers to access to safe effective reconstructive surgical care in a specific community in a low or middle-income country?What are unique aspects of delivery to health care in global settings that can improve quality of such care?
How do outcomes of health care in developing countries compare to those in developed countries?
How can our global health initiatives be best integrated with the local health system infrastructure, surgical societies, and educational institutions in a low or middle-income countries?Can we compare models of health care delivery by international charity organizations and identify factors associated with improved patient follow-up or outcomes?Can we provide objective data identifying benefits of participation in global health care upon medical student/resident education?What are the most effective methods of fundraising to sustain and improve efforts for global health care?

Eligibility

Applicants must:be a MD, DO, or PhD
hold a full-time clinical or research position in a U.S. or Canadian Institution where the research will be conducted.be an Active ACAPS member or have a Co-PI who is an Active member of ACAPS.If you are not an Active ACAPS member or do not have a Co-PI, you must obtain a Sponsor letter from an Active ACAPS member at your institution.If you are currently in your training, you must obtain a Sponsor letter from an Active ACAPS member at your institution..