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AGA-Aman Armaan Ahmed Family SURF for Success Program

american gastroenterological association

Objective

The objective of this award is to stimulate interest in digestive disease research among applicants from groups underrepresented in biomedical research through mentored research experience with a goal of encouraging promising students to pursue careers in science, medicine, and specifically basic and/or clinical digestive disease research to expand the pipeline of investigators from diverse backgrounds.

Application requirements

Applicants must identify, contact and secure support from a research mentor. Applicants may choose from one of our participating mentors listed below or apply with faculty mentor you already work with, provided they are an AGA member.
A letter of support from the mentor is required (limited to two-pages). The letter should:
- Detail the mentor’s involvement in creating the research proposal, plan for mentoring the applicant, and the portion of the proposed research the applicant will reasonably complete during the fellowship award period.
- Indicate explicitly that the mentor’s institution will allow an un-enrolled undergraduate to perform research within their laboratory.
- Describe what existing institutional activities or programs the applicant may benefit from during the research period, in particular those oriented towards undergraduates and/or underrepresented groups.
- Briefly justify the need for the $1,000 in mentor lab support or indicate that this funding is unnecessary.
An abstract and proposal (limited to two pages) describing the research you will perform during the award period. The proposal should include sections for background information, specific aims and a research plan.
A letter of reference from a current or past professor speaking to the applicant’s qualifications and engagement. Applicants will supply the contact information for the referee who will submit their letter directly to AGA. One individual cannot serve as both the applicant’s mentor and reference.
A personal statement (limited to one-page) describing:
- Your career goals.
- Your research background, if any. Previous research experience is not a requirement for consideration.
- Your interest in digestive disease research.
- How the SURF award will benefit your academic and career goals.
- Your involvement in creating the research proposal.
Transcript(s), unofficial are acceptable provided all courses and credits are clearly legible.

Fellowship Terms

Recipients are expected to devote full time effort to the summer research fellowship throughout the 10-week duration of the experience.
Recipients must secure housing for the duration of the award term.
A scientific progress report is required upon completion of the fellowship.
Fellowship award recipients are required to acknowledge the AGA-Aman Armaan Ahmed Family SURF for Success in all testimonials, publications, abstracts and/or presentations that result from the award.
Recipients must participate in follow-up surveys and are expected to participate in future events as alumni to the program.
Recipients will receive a $6,200 stipend for the summer.
Provided it is justified, mentor labs will receive $1,000 to offset costs.

Application Timeline

October 2025: Applications open.
January 2026: Applications close.
February–April 2026: Application review and recipient selection.
April 2026: Applicants notified of status.
May/June – August 2026: Recipients perform summer research with mentors.
September 2026: Participants complete close-out report and first follow-up survey.

Selection criteria

Recipients are selected based on their interest in biomedical and digestive disease research, engagement with the research proposal and proposed mentor, demonstrated need for the program, and likelihood of benefiting from the experience.

Application process

The application deadline is January 31, 2026. Applications are only accepted through the AGA Grants Management System. Click the “Apply Now” button to create an account and submit an application. You may preview the application as it will appear on the AGA Grant Management System before beginning an application. Please note that this preview is for reference only and all applications are completed online.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

Based on the award descriptions, eligibility criteria, and what the Foundation emphasizes, here are the major factors correlated with success:

Predictor	Why It Matters	How to Demonstrate It
Clear relevance to digestive disease / GI or hepatology	The mission of AGA is digestive‐disease research; proposals must focus on GI or liver disorders. American Gastroenterological Association+1	Explicitly state how the project addresses a GI/hepatic disease, its mechanism, diagnosis, treatment, or patient outcomes.
Appropriate career stage & eligibility matching	For example, the Research Scholar Award requires early‐career faculty (≤7 yrs post training for MD or PhD). American Gastroenterological Association	Ensure you meet the defined eligibility (faculty status, years since training, membership in AGA).
Protected research time and institutional commitment	The RSA demands at least 50% effort dedicated to the project and a letter of institutional commitment. American Gastroenterological Association	Provide a clear statement of protected time, mentor letter, institutional support, and resources.
Strong research plan with feasibility and scope matched to award	Awards specify funding amount and time (e.g., 1–3 years). Reviewers expect projects that can realistically be delivered.	Define focused aims, realistic timeline/milestones, budget aligned with award size, and feasible methods.
Mentor/sponsor and research environment	For early‐career awards, having a mentor and supportive research environment is critical. American Gastroenterological Association	Provide mentor letter detailing support plan, show your institution has resources (lab, clinical data, etc.).
Track record/promise of independence	Even early‐career applicants must show some research productivity or promise of independent work.	Highlight prior publications, presentations, pilot data, and articulate your path to independence.
Innovation and potential impact	AGA awards stress that funded work should advance the field of GI/hepatology. Innovations Report	Show how your project is novel or addresses an unmet need, and how it could translate into patient benefit or new understanding.
Adherence to guidelines and AGA membership	The application must meet institutional/format eligibility; AGA membership is required. American Gastroenterological Association+1	Confirm membership, follow all instructions, submit required forms, letters, and meet deadlines.

⚠️ Common Weaknesses to Avoid

Project lacking direct GI/hepatology focus (too generic biomedical).

Overly ambitious aims without clear feasibility or timeline given award size/time.

Lack of institutional commitment or protected time for research.

Mentor/mentorship plan is weak or missing.

Not meeting eligibility (career stage, faculty status, membership) precisely.

Budget or scope not aligned with what award supports (e.g., asking for very large scope with pilot funding).

Poorly written application or missing required documentation.

✅ Summary – Top Predictors of AGA Grant Success

In short, the strongest predictors for success with AGA Research Foundation awards are:

A project clearly focused on digestive disease (GI or liver).

Matching the eligibility criteria (career stage, AGA membership).

Realistic, focused aims and a feasible project plan with institutional support.

A strong mentor, protected research time, and environment conducive to success.

Evidence of innovation, impact potential, and a clear path to scholarly independence.

Specialties

Gastroenterology

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants in good academic standing enrolled in undergraduate programs in North America that lead to a bachelor’s degree and who are continuing in the following fall (i.e., no graduating seniors) are eligible to apply.
Applicants must identify with a group traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research, including:
- Racial and ethnic groups: African Americans or Blacks, Native Alaskans, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, and those of Latinx or Hispanic origin.
- Individuals with disabilities.
- Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, i.e., those meeting two or more of the following criteria:
  - Current or former homeless.
  - Those who were in the foster care system.
  - Those who were eligible for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program for two or more years.
  - First generation college students.
  - Those who were or are currently eligible for Federal Pell grants.
  - Those who received support from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children.
  - Those who grew up in a U.S. rural area according to the Health Resources and Services Administration or a Low-Income and Health Professional Shortage Area according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Applicants may not hold similar salary-support awards from other agencies (e.g., American Liver Foundation, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, NIH).
This award is not intended to provide salary support for laboratory technicians.
Past recipients may reapply in subsequent years provided the required scientific progress report and any follow-up surveys were submitted following the previous funded project and other eligibility requirements are still met.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: american gastroenterological association

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 4930 Del Ray Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814 301-654-2055

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