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AGA-Dr. Harvey Young Education & Development Foundation’s Young Guts Scholars Program

American Gastroenterological Association

Objective

The objective of this award is to encourage students from racial/ethnic and/or other groups traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research to pursue careers in science or medicine, ultimately to expand the pipeline of investigators in digestive disease research.

Application requirements

Applicants must identify, contact and secure a commitment from a research mentor who is a dues-paying member of AGA.
- For applicants without a current mentor, AGA staff is available to help you find a willing mentor at or near your institution until December 15.
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 award period.
- 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 mentor lab funding support (see Award terms) or indicate that this funding is unnecessary.
- Mentors at institutions different than the applicant should indicate explicitly that the mentor’s institution will allow an un-enrolled undergraduate to perform research within their laboratory.
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.
- Your interest in digestive disease research.
- How the Young Guts Scholars Program will benefit your academic and career goals.
- Your involvement in creating the research proposal.
An up-to-date transcript. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable provided all courses and credits are clearly legible.

Award terms

Recipients must submit a scientific progress report upon completion of the award.
Award recipients are required to acknowledge the AGA-Dr. Harvey Young Education & Development Foundation’s Young Guts Scholars Program 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 of the program.
Recipients will receive:
- A $6,000 stipend disbursed in two installments: one in August 2027 and one in January 2028.
- AGA student membership for 3 years ($75).
- A travel allowance to attend Digestive Disease Week® 2028 or 2029, payable upon proof of registration to the conference (up to $1,500).
Mentor labs may request funding support to offset the costs of hosting the student. Requests may be up to $1,000.

Application timeline

October 2026: Applications open
February 2027: Applications close
May 2027: Application review and recipient selection
June 2027: Recipients and mentors notified of status
August 2027 – May 2028: Recipients perform research with their mentors
May 2028: Recipients attend Digestive Disease Week® 2028
July 2028: Recipients complete close-out report and first follow-up survey. Mentors complete a close-out survey.

Selection criteria and review process

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 February 3, 2027. Applications are accepted through the web-based AGA Grants Management System. Applicants 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

🧠 1. Strong Focus on Gastroenterology & Hepatology (Non-Negotiable)

Projects must directly address:
- GI or liver diseases
Common areas:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- GI cancers
- Liver disease (NAFLD, cirrhosis)
- Microbiome research

👉 Weak GI relevance → low success probability

🎯 2. Clear Clinical or Patient Impact (Top Predictor)

Successful proposals:

Demonstrate:
- Improvement in diagnosis, treatment, or outcomes
Focus on:
- Patient care
- Disease management
- Prevention

👉 Key question:
“Will this improve care for patients with GI or liver disease?”

🔄 3. Translational Research (Bench → Bedside) (Critical)

Preference for:
- Translational and clinically relevant research
Includes:
- Biomarkers
- Therapeutics
- Clinical trials

👉 Pure basic science is less competitive unless clinically linked

👩‍🔬 4. Early-Career Investigator Development (Major Priority)

Many AGA awards target:
- Fellows and junior faculty

Evaluation includes:

Career trajectory
Independence potential

👉 Strong mentorship is essential

🧪 5. Feasible, Well-Structured Study Design

Must include:
- Clear aims
- Methodology
- Timeline

👉 Overly ambitious or poorly designed studies are frequently rejected

💡 6. Innovation in Key GI Areas

High success rates in:

Microbiome & gut–brain axis
Precision medicine
AI in GI diagnostics
Novel therapeutics

👉 Innovation must be clinically meaningful

🤝 7. Strong Mentorship & Institutional Support

Mentor should:
- Have a strong research track record
Institution must provide:
- Clinical exposure
- Research infrastructure

👉 Mentorship quality significantly impacts outcomes

📊 8. Alignment with AGA Priority Topics

Higher success when aligned with:

Digestive cancers
Chronic liver disease
IBD
Functional GI disorders

👉 Topic alignment improves competitiveness

📈 9. Potential for Future Funding & Publications

AGA funding is often:
- Seed funding for NIH or major grants

👉 Projects that:

Generate preliminary data
Lead to publications
→ score higher

💰 10. Appropriate Scope & Budget

Funding is typically:
- Pilot to mid-scale
Projects must be:
- Focused
- Achievable

👉 Over-scoped proposals are commonly rejected

📊 Summary: Key Predictors (Ranked)

Highest impact factors:

GI/hepatology focus
Clinical impact
Translational relevance

Moderate predictors:
4. Early-career development
5. Feasibility
6. Innovation

Supporting factors:
7. Mentorship
8. Topic alignment
9. Future funding potential

💡 Insider Insight

Compared to NIH:

American Gastroenterological Association is:
👉 clinically focused + career-development oriented
👉 emphasizes pilot and translational research

👉 Key evaluation question:
“Will this project improve GI care and help develop a future investigator?”

✔️ What wins:

Translational GI research
Strong mentorship
Feasible pilot studies

❌ What struggles:

Pure basic science
Weak clinical relevance
Overly ambitious projects

Specialties

Cancer

Oncology

Gastroenterology

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants currently enrolled in an undergraduate program in the U.S. with at least one year left in their undergraduate education are eligible to apply (i.e., no seniors graduating during the current academic year or the following fall semester).
Applicants must be in good academic standing at an accredited institution of higher education.
Applicants must identify with at least one of the following groups:
- Racial and ethnic groups: African Americans or Blacks, Asian Americans, 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.
At the time of application, the student must have a commitment from a mentor for research throughout the academic year for a minimum of 12 hours per week. The mentor may be on- or off-campus (if at another local institution). The mentor must be a current, dues-paying member of the AGA at the time of application.
Applicants may not hold similar awards from other organizations (e.g., National Institutes of Health).
This award is not intended to provide salary support for individuals employed as laboratory technicians.
Ideal applicants will have at least one semester/quarter or summer of prior research experience, though this is not required.
Past recipients may reapply in subsequent years provided the required scientific progress report and any follow-up surveys were submitted following the previously 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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