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Breaking Barriers Research Grant Award

American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Foundation

The AMSSM Foundation and the ACSM Research Committee welcome research grant proposals that investigate topics within the discipline of sports medicine that focus on the health and well-being of traditionally underrepresented communities in sports medicine. The purpose of this grant mechanism isto foster research that can “break barriers” and grow the evidence base supporting historically underserved communities within sports medicine.

Summary: The purpose of the Breaking Barriers award is to address the health and well-being of traditionally underrepresented communities in sports medicine.

Key dates:

• Application Deadline: November 13, 2026 (5 p.m. ET)

• All deadlines are at 5 p.m. ET unless otherwise specified.

• Award Announcements: March 2027

• Grant Start Date: Between April 1 and September 1, 2027. Earlier start dates are strongly encouraged, but a September 1st date is accepted if necessary for school year data collection. Data collection should be completed within 2 years of the study start date listed in the signed letter of agreement provided after award notification.

Maximum Project Budget: $20,000 (direct + indirect expenses)

Maximum Project Timeline: 2 years

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Direct Relevance to Primary Care Sports Medicine

Importance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Critical

The proposal must have clear relevance to primary care sports medicine (PCSM). The AMSSM review guidance specifically asks whether the research is highly relevant to the PCSM community and whether it could improve sports-medicine practice.

Strong projects can address:

Sports injuries
Injury prevention
Rehabilitation
Concussion
Musculoskeletal conditions
Exercise-related conditions
Athlete health
Sports medicine diagnostics
Return-to-play decisions
Sports medicine education
Quality improvement
Epidemiology

A project with only an indirect connection to sports medicine would have a weaker fit.

2. Strong Scientific Design and Methodology

Importance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Critical

AMSSM explicitly identifies study background, design and methodology as a principal review criterion. Reviewers assess whether the research question and aims are testable, whether the design is appropriate, outcomes are defined, statistical methods are appropriate, and sample size is justified.

A strong proposal should include:

Clear research question.
Specific aims.
Testable hypotheses.
Appropriate study design.
Defined inclusion/exclusion criteria.
Clearly defined outcomes.
Statistical analysis plan.
Power/sample-size calculation where appropriate.
Potential limitations and alternative strategies.

The 2026 RFP recommends a maximum of three specific aims to keep the project focused.

3. Important Knowledge Gap With Meaningful Clinical Impact

Importance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Critical

The proposal should identify a genuine gap in sports-medicine knowledge and explain why filling that gap matters.

AMSSM's review template asks whether the proposal:

Addresses a knowledge gap.
Could impact sports medicine.
Could improve clinical practice.
Has a convincing answer to the "who cares?" test.

A strong argument is:

Current problem → evidence gap → research question → clinically meaningful answer → improved sports-medicine practice

4. Innovation and Novelty

Importance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very High

AMSSM explicitly evaluates innovation and asks whether the project challenges current clinical or scientific thinking/practices.

The strongest projects may introduce:

A new clinical approach.
Novel injury-prevention strategy.
New diagnostic method.
New rehabilitation approach.
New technology.
Novel use of existing data.
New epidemiological insight.
New approach to athlete health.

The review template distinguishes genuinely different approaches from projects that simply replicate established methodology on well-researched topics.

5. Strong Investigator, Team and Statistical Expertise

Importance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very High

AMSSM explicitly evaluates the qualifications and research experience of the PI/co-investigators, the study environment and feasibility. Its reviewer template specifically identifies an interprofessional team including a statistician and appropriate statistical input as strengths.

A strong team may include:

Sports-medicine physician.
Research scientist.
Statistician.
Epidemiologist.
Physical therapist.
Athletic trainer.
Biomechanics expert.
Data scientist.
Relevant specialty collaborator.

The important factor is that each team member should contribute expertise necessary for the proposed study.

6. Feasibility Within One Year and $50,000

Importance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very High

This is especially important for AMSSM because the current Foundation Research Grant has a maximum $50,000 budget and one-year project period. Data collection and analysis are expected to be completed within 12 months.

The project should therefore be tightly scoped.

Strong proposals demonstrate:

Existing access to participants/data.
Realistic recruitment.
Available equipment.
Appropriate personnel.
Established research setting.
Achievable milestones.
Realistic budget.

AMSSM's reviewer template specifically asks whether the aims can be completed within the proposed budget and timeline.

7. Pilot Data and Preliminary Evidence Where Appropriate

Importance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ High

The RFP describes AMSSM grants as supporting promising, innovative research projects and specifically welcomes pilot projects that can generate evidence for future funding applications.

Preliminary data are optional in the application, but they can strengthen the argument by demonstrating:

Feasibility.
Recruitment capability.
Technical capability.
Preliminary effect sizes.
Proof of concept.
Experience with the proposed methods.

The review template explicitly identifies pilot data as a strength where appropriate.

8. Potential to Establish a Larger Research Program

Importance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ High

AMSSM explicitly monitors whether previous grant recipients subsequently submit and obtain additional research funding.

The current RFP also states that grants can support pilot projects used in support of future funding applications.

A strong proposal should therefore explain:

AMSSM pilot → preliminary evidence → publication → larger external grant → definitive research

This makes the small AMSSM investment part of a credible longer-term research program.

9. Strong Translational or Clinical Relevance

Importance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ High

For preclinical/basic-science studies, the AMSSM review template specifically asks whether the work is directly translatable to clinical care of sports-medicine patients.

Therefore, basic or laboratory research should clearly explain:

What clinical problem it addresses.
How findings could eventually affect patient care.
Which clinical population could benefit.
What subsequent research is needed for translation.

This is particularly important when the proposal is not directly clinical.

10. Appropriate Budget and Strong Value for Money

Importance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ High

The budget is part of the scientific feasibility assessment, not merely an administrative requirement.

AMSSM reviewers assess whether the budget is reasonable and accurate and whether the project can actually be completed with the requested funds.

The current RFP allows funding for items such as:

Supplies/equipment.
Investigators.
Technicians.
Research assistants.
Study coordinators.
Statistical support.

Indirect costs are capped at 10% of eligible direct costs and must fit within the $50,000 award.

Specialties

Sports Medicine

Eligibility Requirements

The Principal Investigator (PI) of the grant must be an AMSSM or ACSM physician member (MD/DO or international equivalent) to apply, with the requirement that the PI awarded the $20,000 grant must be a member of both AMSSM and ACSM throughout the 2-year period after the grant recipient has been selected. Applicants must be or become an ACSM professional or fellow member if selected as a grant recipient, and membership type may not be downgraded during the funding period. ACSM chapter membership alone does not fulfill this requirement. That is, a PI is not required to be a member of both organizations at the time of application but is required to be a member of both if selected as a grant recipient. Applications where instructions are not properly followed will not be considered. AMSSM and ACSM Board members are not eligible to apply.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Foundation

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 4000 W. 114th Street, Suite 100, Leawood, KS 66211

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