Young Investigators Research Forum (YIRF)

Funder: American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation (AASM Foundation)

Award Type: Professional development and training program (travel and lodging provided for selected participants)

Purpose: Provide guidance, tactics, and strategies to promising early-career sleep researchers to position themselves for successful careers in clinical sleep research

Eligibility:

• Early-career sleep researchers
• Postdoctoral fellows and recently-trained sleep scientists
• Selected based on past research productivity and future promise

Program Format: 3-day intensive research forum

Program Content:

• Day 1: Aspects of Being a Good Scientist
  • Building a successful career in sleep research
  • Networking with established and young sleep investigators
• Day 2: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • Various sleep research funding mechanisms
  • Development of specific aims for grant proposals
• Day 3: Grant Review and Academic Environment
  • Mock grant review study section participation
  • Knowledge on the academic research environment

Location: Typically held in Bethesda, Maryland

Selection Criteria:

• Past research productivity in sleep medicine
• Demonstrated promise for future research contributions
• Potential for impact in sleep science

Support Provided:

• Travel and lodging fully covered by the AASM Foundation
• Faculty mentorship and networking opportunities

Contact Information:

• Phone: (630) 737-9700
• Email: foundation@aasm.org
• Address: 2510 North Frontage Road, Darien, IL 60561
• Website: foundation.aasm.org/yirf

Background: The YIRF celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2018, having provided over 200 promising early-career researchers with career development guidance. Starting in 2019, the program became part of the AASM Foundation's official award programs, reflecting the organization's commitment to growing the pipeline of sleep scientists.

Application Process for Young Investigators Research Forum

Application Deadline: Typically December 11 of the prior year (for spring forum in following year)

Application Requirements:

• Research productivity documentation
• CV or biosketch
• Statement of research interests
• Letters of recommendation
• Demonstration of potential for future research contributions

Selection Process:

• Applicants evaluated based on research productivity and future promise
• Selected applicants are notified and invited to participate
• All travel and lodging arranged and paid by the AASM Foundation

For More Information:

• Visit: foundation.aasm.org/yirf
• Contact the AASM Foundation directly at foundation@aasm.org or (630) 737-9700