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Forensic Pathology Advanced Training Grant

College of American Pathologists (CAP) Foundation

Donations made to the Forensic Pathology Advanced Training Grant are dedicated to the memory of Beth Frost, DO, FCAP, a leader and champion in the field of forensic pathology.

Forensic Pathology Advanced Training Grant

Most are aware of the current physician shortage which also impacts the field of pathology. The COVID19 pandemic and the opioid crisis have further highlighted the need for forensic pathologists. It is essential for the future generation of pathologists to have a working knowledge and understanding of both the role and challenges in the field of forensic pathology in order to support the specialty and recognize and meet public health needs with regard to forensic casework in all areas of medicine and science.

With support from the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME), the NAME Foundation, and the CAP Foundation, this grant offers an introduction to forensic pathology via a four-week away rotation at an ACGME Accredited Forensic Fellowship Training Program, providing pathology residents:

•Hands-on instruction and training in forensic pathology.

•Exposure to postmortem imaging, toxicology, and other ancillary testing in forensic pathology.

•Exposure to death scene investigation and death certification.

•Mentorship to pursue a career in forensic pathology.

The training to take place between 2027 - end of Q1 2028; the awardee and host site to schedule a mutually agreeable four-week training rotation.

See list of participating sites* (ACGME Accredited Forensic Fellowship Training Programs) to include any special requirements or considerations for the applicant to be aware of when indicating their site rotation choice. Note that the awardee may be required to enter into a memorandum of understanding and/or nondisclosure agreement with the training site. The selection of the offsite training location to be mutually agreeable between the awardee and the host site. *This list is subject to change so it is important for applicants to select a first and second training location as requested on the application form.

AWARD AMOUNT

Funding up to $5,000 USD is available to support eligible travel and living expenses during the four-week training period. Awardees and/or their residency programs would need to cover any travel costs that exceed the amount awarded.

We expect the recipient’s own pathology residency institution to support the resident’s attendance by authorizing permission to participate. If expenses exceed the award amount, the resident may seek his/her own travel funds or department funds to cover the balance of expenses.

SELECTION PROCESS

On behalf of the CAP Foundation Board of Directors, the CAP Foundation Grant and Programs Committee in collaboration with the CAP Forensic Pathology Committee, chooses the award recipient based on peer reviews. Factors considered include, but are not limited to:

Merit of application

Value of educational experience to the applicant

Applicant background as it relates to prior exposure/interest in forensic pathology

Capacity and willingness to share information and experience with colleagues

APPLY BY: December 14, 2026; award recipient will be announced in Q1 2027.

Please include the following with your completed application:

1. Responses to the following:

a. Why you are interested in forensic pathology

b. How will this experience enhance your training in pathology

d. Describe any previous exposure that will help you fulfill the elective's objectives

e. Describe how you will use this experience to benefit the practice of pathology and by extension to society.

f. Your plan for sharing your experience and the information learned with colleagues

g. Why you require CAP Foundation financial support and what other means of support are available

2. Your residency program director's signature (invite this individual as a collaborator on your application).

3. A letter of recommendation and documentation from your residency program director confirming that your salary and benefits will be supported during the award period.

4. Curriculum Vitae

5. W9 form

6. Professional Headshot (1+ megabyte; color; with or without lab coat; neutral background; the photo you submit to be used in web and print media for award recognition; no selfies please)

IF SELECTED

Upon completion of this rotation, the awardee is expected to submit the following to the CAP Foundation within 30 days of concluding the experience:

an expense reimbursement form with receipts, an evaluation and overview (500–700-word summary) of your experience, one photo of yourself and one photo of you with the host working together during the rotation, and a short video testimonial

The CAP Foundation may also communicate the bestowing of this award and content from your evaluation form for future promotional purposes with CAP members and donors via the Foundation website, social media channels, newsletter, or annual report.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Direct pathology relevance ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is the fundamental predictor of fit.

Strong projects should involve areas such as:

Anatomic pathology
Clinical pathology
Surgical pathology
Cytopathology
Hematopathology
Molecular pathology
Immunohistochemistry
Laboratory medicine
Diagnostic biomarkers
Digital pathology
Laboratory diagnostics
Cancer pathology
Precision medicine

A general clinical study with no meaningful pathology component would have weaker alignment.

2. Important diagnostic or clinical problem ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A competitive proposal should identify a problem where pathology can make a meaningful difference.

Examples:

Diagnostic uncertainty
Misclassification of disease
Delayed diagnosis
Limited sensitivity/specificity of current tests
Difficulty distinguishing benign vs malignant lesions
Biomarker limitations
Reproducibility problems
Laboratory quality problems
Challenges in molecular diagnosis

The proposal should clearly establish:

Clinical problem → pathology knowledge gap → proposed solution → patient benefit.

3. Patient-care impact ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The strongest projects demonstrate a pathway from laboratory findings to improved patient care.

Potential benefits include:

Earlier diagnosis
More accurate diagnosis
Better disease classification
Improved prognosis
More appropriate treatment selection
Reduced diagnostic errors
Faster turnaround time
Better laboratory quality
Improved precision medicine

For example:

New biomarker → improved tumor classification → better treatment selection → improved patient outcome

is a strong translational pathway.

4. Scientific merit and originality ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The project should generate new knowledge, rather than simply reproduce established findings.

Potentially strong areas include:

Novel biomarkers
Molecular pathology
Digital pathology
Artificial intelligence
Computational pathology
New diagnostic assays
Precision oncology
Integrated pathology/genomic approaches
Novel disease-classification methods

Innovation is strongest when it addresses an established diagnostic limitation.

5. Methodological rigor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A competitive pathology research proposal should clearly describe:

Study population
Specimen selection
Sample size
Controls/comparators
Pathology methods
Laboratory protocols
Biomarker validation
Statistical analysis
Quality-control procedures
Primary and secondary endpoints

For diagnostic studies, reviewers should be able to determine whether the proposed study can actually establish diagnostic validity and clinical utility.

6. Translational/clinical applicability ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Projects that can move from laboratory research into clinical practice are particularly attractive.

A strong pathway is:

Discovery → analytical validation → clinical validation → implementation → improved diagnosis

For example:

Novel molecular marker → validation in patient tissue → improved diagnostic classification → clinical implementation

Projects that remain purely theoretical may have less immediate clinical impact.

7. Investigator qualifications ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

The investigator should demonstrate appropriate expertise in:

Pathology
Laboratory medicine
Molecular biology
Clinical research
Biostatistics
Bioinformatics
Digital pathology, where applicable

For early-career investigators, strong mentorship and access to experienced pathology researchers can compensate for a limited independent research track record.

8. Feasibility and pathology resources ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

The application should establish access to:

Pathology specimens
Tissue archives
Histology facilities
Molecular laboratories
Immunohistochemistry
Digital pathology scanners
Sequencing facilities
Clinical databases
Statistical/bioinformatics support

A technically ambitious proposal is less competitive if the necessary specimens, equipment, or expertise are not already available.

9. Advancement of pathology practice ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A strong proposal should answer:

How could this research change what pathologists or laboratories do?

Potential effects include:

Improved diagnostic algorithms
Standardized testing
Better biomarker interpretation
Improved laboratory workflow
Reduced diagnostic variability
Improved quality assurance
New testing approaches
More efficient pathology reporting

This practical connection can substantially strengthen the proposal.

10. Appropriate budget and focused objectives ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

The proposed work should be achievable within the available resources.

A strong small-grant proposal typically has:

1 clear central question
2–3 focused objectives
Realistic sample size
Existing laboratory infrastructure
Clearly justified costs
Achievable timeline

Avoid trying to conduct a full-scale clinical trial with a small research award.

Specialties

Pathology

Eligibility Requirements

The award is open to all pathology residents actively enrolled in an accredited US or Canadian pathology residency program. Applicants will be considered regardless of age, race, gender, national origin, or religion.

All applicants must have completed at least one rotation of hospital autopsy prior to the start of this advanced training grant rotation.

Candidates with a strong interest in forensic pathology who do not have access to an ACGME Accredited Forensic Fellowship Training Program within 50 miles of their residency training institution will be prioritized.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: College of American Pathologists (CAP) Foundation

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 325 Waukegan Road, Northfield, IL 60093-2719

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