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Award for Distinguished Research in the Biomedical Sciences

Association of American Medical Colleges

The Award for Distinguished Research in the Biomedical Sciences honors an individual or a team of two individuals for outstanding research in the basic or translational sciences. The AAMC has awarded this prize since 1947.

The awardee will receive the Research Award and a prize of $10,000. Nominations are due Jan. 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Guidelines for Entry

Individuals or teams of two individuals may be nominated. All nominees must have a faculty appointment at AAMC-member medical schools or health systems, but rank is not a criterion for this award.

Anyone may submit a nomination. Nominations must be received by Jan. 23, 2026, via the electronic entry form (login required). Find more information on the fields required for nomination (PDF).

The review committee will select up to three finalists. Nominators of finalists will be notified by March 6, 2026, that they are invited to submit additional materials. Final-round additional materials must include:

One two-page letter of support of the finalist authored by an AAMC-member institution’s dean, chief executive officer, or president on institutional letterhead.
Two additional two-page letters of support attesting to how the finalist demonstrates the criteria of the Research Award.
Copies of up to five key publications by the nominee.

Additional support materials must be submitted by April 3, 2026. There is no need to compile these resources before notification on March 6.

The winner of the award will be notified by July 31, 2026.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Alignment With AAMC’s Strategic Priorities (Education, Diversity, Equity, Institutional Excellence, Policy)

Proposals that advance medical education quality, curricular innovation, diversity & inclusion, equity in medical training, underserved populations, or workforce planning are strongly aligned with AAMC’s mission.

Projects that address systemic challenges — e.g., access to care, medical-education reform, physician shortage areas, health disparities, inclusive curricula — tend to be viewed more favorably.

Predictor: Strong mission alignment (education + equity + institutional improvement) increases support likelihood.

2. Institutional-Level Impact — Benefit Beyond a Single Research Project

Unlike disease-specific grants, many AAMC–funded or AAMC-endorsed initiatives aim at whole-school, whole-hospital or national-level impact: curricula changes, faculty development, institutional policy shifts, diversity pipeline improvements, national workforce data.

Proposals that show scalability, sustainability, and benefit to a broad population of students/trainees/institutions rather than an isolated study.

Predictor: Broad, systemic impact and sustainability potential increases competitiveness.

3. Evidence-Based Rationale and Sound Planning for Implementation

Because interventions often involve education, institutions, policies — not bench science — strong planning is critical:

Detailed implementation plan: timeline, stakeholders, responsibilities, evaluation metrics (learning outcomes, retention rates, diversity metrics, satisfaction, performance)

Realistic resource plan (staff, funding, institutional buy-in)

Assessment and evaluation framework (pre/post, control group or baseline metrics where possible)

Sustainability plan beyond initial funding

Predictor: Well-designed, evidence-backed institutional proposals stand out.

4. Focus on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Access, and Representation

AAMC places high value on diversity in medical education — pipeline programs, support for underrepresented minorities, equitable access to training, and addressing disparities in care and trainee demographics.

Proposals that aim to reduce structural barriers, support disadvantaged or underrepresented students, or improve representation in medicine tend to resonate more.

Predictor: Strong DEI/Equity focus improves likelihood of support or success.

5. Multi-Stakeholder and Collaborative Approach (Institution + Community + Academia + Policy)

Because medical education and policy involves many stakeholders — students, educators, hospitals, communities, regulatory bodies — proposals that demonstrate collaboration across these groups have a better chance.

Inclusion of community partners, patient advocacy groups, hospital administration, student voices, faculty committees increases credibility and sustainability.

Predictor: Collaborations and stakeholder engagement boost application strength.

6. Measurable Outcomes, Monitoring, and Accountability

Given educational or policy interventions: clear indicators for success (diversity metrics, retention, performance, graduation rates, career placement, community health outcomes)

Defined evaluation and monitoring mechanism (surveys, longitudinal follow-up, feedback loops, continuous improvement)

Predictor: Projects with measurable outcomes and accountability frameworks are more fundable and sustainable.

7. Institutional Readiness and Capacity to Implement Changes

The institution (medical school, teaching hospital) must have administrative buy-in, resources, staffing, governance support to implement proposed changes.

Strength of leadership, clarity of roles, commitment from key stakeholders, infrastructure for monitoring/ evaluation, budget support.

Predictor: Institutional commitment and readiness increases chance of success.

8. Clear Value Proposition and Cost-Benefit Analysis (when appropriate)

For educational reforms or interventions, proposals should articulate benefits vs. cost: improved trainee outcomes, reduced disparities, better access to care, long-term institutional benefits.

For workforce or policy-oriented studies: demonstrate how data or intervention can inform national-level planning, resource allocation, health equity, workforce pipelines, community impact.

Predictor: Well-articulated value and cost/benefit improves decision maker confidence and support likelihood.

🎯 What This Means If You’re Considering Engaging with AAMC

If you plan to submit a proposal, institutional initiative, or policy/intervention under AAMC:

Focus on education, institutional policy, diversity & equity, or systemic/structural issues — align your goals with AAMC’s mission.

Build a broad stakeholder coalition — administration, faculty, students, community partners — with clearly defined roles and buy-in.

Design a detailed implementation + evaluation plan, with measurable outcomes and sustainability strategy.

Emphasize impact on equity, access, representation, and long-term benefit — not just short-term change.

Prepare realistic budgets and resource plans, showing institutional support and readiness.

Include a cost-benefit or value proposition — how your project benefits students, community or the institutional mission.

Embed accountability and monitoring through data collection, evaluations, feedback mechanisms.

Specialties

Biomedical Engineering

General Medicine

Eligibility Requirements

Nominees will be evaluated by the review committee on the following precise criteria:

The nominee’s research contributions have resulted in significant or novel discoveries.
The nominee’s research discoveries have advanced a scientific paradigm.
The nominee’s research discoveries have the potential to lead to, or have already led to, significant benefits to human health and well-being (either by the nominee directly or by others who may be or have been enabled by the nominee’s foundational discoveries).
The nominee demonstrates contributions to biomedical research beyond their own work (e.g., mentoring, review panels, task forces, editorial boards).
The nominee demonstrates standards of professional ethics and scientific integrity.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Association of American Medical Colleges

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 655 K Street NW, Suite 100 Washington, DC, 20001-2399 202-828-0400

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