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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 January 16. Please complete this mentor request form and staff will follow-up within one week.
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 2025 and one in January 2026.
- AGA student membership for 3 years ($75).
- A travel allowance to attend Digestive Disease Week® 2026 or 2027, 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 2025: Applications open
January 2026: Applications close
May 2026: Application review and recipient selection
June 2026: Recipients and mentors notified of status
August 2026 – May 2027: Recipients perform research with their mentors
May 2027: Recipients attend Digestive Disease Week® 2027
July 2027: 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 January 31, 2026. 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

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 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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