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RAPID Scholar Awards

Academic Pediatric Association

RAPID’s Scholar Awards provide up to $15,000 in funding for a one-year project in one of the categories noted below.

In addition to the award, RAPID Scholars:

Are paired with a national mentor who is an accomplished senior investigator and seasoned mentor
Participate in monthly Zoom meetings, alternating between directors to provide advice for acculturation to and advancement in an academic career, and peer scholars to provide peer support, mentoring, networking, a venue for presenting research progress, and opportunities for potential research collaborations
Attend RAPID’s Annual Mentoring and Career Development Conference
Receive in-person mentoring and networking during the annual Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Meeting

Interested applicants must select one of the following funding paths for their application:

Nutrition, obesity, sickle cell disease, and other NIDDK research priority areas, as well as general pediatrics (supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases [NIDDK])
Pediatric infectious diseases research (supported by the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society [PIDS])
Pediatric basic, clinical, translational, or health services research in any pediatric subspecialty (supported by the American Pediatric Society [APS])
Behavioral/mental health and pediatric basic, clinical, translational, or health services research in any pediatric subspeciality (supported by the American Board of Pediatrics [ABP] Foundation)
Neonatal nutrition (supported by Reckitt/Mead Johnson)

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Strong focus on improving child health, especially for vulnerable populations (highest predictor)

This is the most important predictor.

APA explicitly seeks projects that improve:

Child health outcomes
Health equity
Care for underserved children
Pediatric primary care
Community pediatrics
Population health
Nutrition in underserved communities
Health services research

Projects addressing disparities and improving outcomes for vulnerable children are especially well aligned with APA's mission.

2. Commitment to a long-term academic pediatric research career (very high predictor)

A defining objective of the Young Investigator Awards is to support investigators pursuing long-term careers in research and academic medicine.

Competitive applicants typically demonstrate:

Clear academic career goals
Commitment to pediatric research
Research independence potential
Long-term leadership aspirations in child health

Career trajectory is a major consideration during review.

3. Strong mentorship and mentor commitment (very high predictor)

Mentorship is one of the strongest published predictors of success.

Successful applications generally include:

An experienced primary mentor
Active mentor involvement
Structured career-development plan
Ongoing research guidance
Institutional support

APA requires both the applicant and the primary mentor to be APA members for the Young Investigator Award program, highlighting the importance of mentorship.

4. High-quality, hypothesis-driven research proposal

Competitive proposals typically include:

Important pediatric research question
Clear hypothesis
Rigorous methodology
Appropriate statistical analysis
Feasible timeline
Well-defined outcomes

Projects should demonstrate scientific rigor while remaining achievable within the funding period.

5. Early-career investigator potential

The APA Young Investigator Award is specifically designed for early-career investigators.

Reviewers look for:

Research aptitude
Leadership potential
Academic promise
Evidence of future independence
Commitment to child health research

The program is intended to build the next generation of pediatric physician-scientists and health services researchers.

6. Focus on health equity and underserved populations

A distinctive feature of APA funding is its emphasis on reducing disparities in child health.

Competitive projects often address:

Social determinants of health
Health equity
Rural child health
Minority child health
Nutrition insecurity
Access to pediatric care
Community-based interventions

The Nutrition in Underserved Communities Young Investigator Award exemplifies this priority.

7. Strong institutional environment and collaboration

Successful applicants generally have:

Supportive academic departments
Access to pediatric research infrastructure
Multidisciplinary collaborators
Community partnerships
Protected research time

Institutional commitment strengthens both feasibility and career development.

8. Training and trainee development

APA encourages applicants invited to submit full proposals to include trainee engagement plans, such as mentoring medical students or residents during the project.

Applications that incorporate meaningful mentorship and workforce development may receive additional consideration through supplemental funding opportunities.

9. Potential to generate future external funding

The Young Investigator Awards are intended to help investigators establish independent research careers.

Competitive projects often:

Generate pilot data
Lead to NIH career-development (K) awards
Support future NIH R-series grants
Establish sustainable pediatric research programs

The program serves as a stepping stone to larger extramural funding.

Specialties

Genetics & Genomics

Mental Health

Pediatrics

Infectious Diseases

Nutrition and Dietetics

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants should be:

Faculty members no more than five years out from completion of all training (fellowship or post-doc)
Fellows in the last year of fellowship

Previous RAPID Scholars and YIA recipients are not eligible to apply.

If applying for the Academic Pediatric Association (APA) pathway, please confirm that both the principal investigator, the RAPID applicant, and his/her chosen mentor(s) are current APA members; if applying for the other pathways, please confirm that both the principal investigator and his/her chosen mentor(s) are current members of those societies. Mead Johnson applicants must be members of one of the RAPID societal partners.

RAPID’s goal is to encourage and support individuals who have experienced significant adversity and challenges to pursue a research career in academic pediatrics, such as socioeconomic factors, growing up in rural areas, and other challenges, hardships, and unique life experiences. This will be judged by reviewing the applicant’s narrative regarding how societal factors have shaped the individual’s interests and preparedness to be a RAPID Scholar. Applicants must address their adversity, challenges, and unique life experiences in their application. If applicants have questions in this part of the submission, they can contact the directors for information.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Academic Pediatric Association

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 6728 Old McLean Village Drive McLean, Virginia 22101

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