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Rising Star Award

American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons

Purpose

The Rising Star Award provides funding for a trainee embarking on a career in colorectal surgery or junior colorectal surgery faculty member to engage in a professional development opportunity. The goal is to develop a diverse group of colorectal surgeons with skills to advance our field across the domains of clinical practice, research, education and ultimately become the next generation of national and international colorectal surgery leaders. The professional development plan should directly align with the applicant’s goals.

Funding

Up to $7,000 to be used for coach air travel, hotel accommodations, meals, and registration for a career development course; with residual funds available for direct research assistance (e.g., to support purchase of data analysis software, transcriptions, or biostatistician support), if applicable. Course examples include:

AAS Fall Career Development Course
AAS Fall Fundamentals of Surgical Research Course
ACS Health Services Research Methods Course
ACS Surgeons as Educators
ACS Surgeons as Leaders
ACS Residents as Teachers and Leaders
ASCRS Surgical Leadership Institute (for faculty applicants)
AAMC Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) Certificate Program
AAMC Minority Faculty Leadership Development Seminar
ASE Fundamentals of a Career in Surgical Education
ASE Fundamentals of Teaching
ASE Surgical Education and Leadership Fellowship (SELF)

After attending the course, the award recipient is required to present a brief video summary and written report of their educational experience while at the Course and their vision of incorporating this experience into academic research/practice.

Application Deadline

August 17

Review/Notification Date

October/November

Review Criteria

Applicants must submit an essay (600 words) outlining motives for applying for the award (e.g., institutional support is not available), specific academic career goals, course the applicant would like to attend, and their plans for utilizing skills developed from the course to advance their career goals.
If requesting to use the residual funds for project support, the project, specific funding need, and budget should be provided.
Letter of Support (PDF upload) from chair, program director, or colorectal division chief.
Curriculum Vitae (including publications)

Submissions

The Research Foundation of the ASCRS uses a web-based platform for all grant submissions. Full instructions are available on the site in the top-right hand corner of the screen.

Applicants will log in to their ASCRS account to submit a grant application. Applicants do not need to be an ASCRS member but do need to have an ASCRS account. When the applicant clicks the Submit Grant button, they will be directed to the web-based portal, to sign in or to create an account.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

🩺 1. Strong Focus on Colorectal Disease (Non-Negotiable)

Projects must directly address:
- Colorectal surgery and diseases
Common areas:
- Colorectal cancer
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Pelvic floor disorders
- Anorectal disease

👉 Weak alignment with colorectal surgery → low success probability

🎯 2. Clear Clinical Relevance & Patient Impact (Top Predictor)

Successful proposals:

Demonstrate:
- Direct improvement in patient care or surgical outcomes
Aim to:
- Improve techniques
- Reduce complications
- Enhance recovery

👉 Key question:
“Will this improve outcomes in colorectal surgery patients?”

🔄 3. Translational or Clinical Research Focus (Critical)

Highest success rates for:
- Clinical trials
- Outcomes research
- Translational studies

👉 Pure lab-based research is less competitive unless tied to clinical application

👩‍⚕️ 4. Early-Career Investigator Development (Major Priority)

Many ASCRS grants target:
- Residents, fellows, and junior faculty

Strong applications include:

Mentorship plan
Career development trajectory

👉 Career-building potential is a major evaluation factor

🧪 5. Feasible, Well-Designed Study

Must include:
- Clear hypothesis
- Defined endpoints
- Realistic recruitment

👉 Overly complex or underpowered studies are commonly rejected

🤝 6. Strong Mentorship & Institutional Support

Mentor should:
- Have a strong research track record
Institution must provide:
- Clinical volume
- Research infrastructure

👉 Mentorship quality significantly affects outcomes

📊 7. Focus on Priority Topics in Colorectal Surgery

Higher success rates in:

Minimally invasive/robotic surgery
Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS)
IBD management
Cancer outcomes & screening
Quality improvement

👉 Topic alignment improves competitiveness

📈 8. Potential for Future Funding (NIH/Other Grants)

ASCRS funding is often:
- Seed funding for larger grants

👉 Projects that generate:

Preliminary data
Publications
→ score higher

🌍 9. Outcomes & Quality-of-Life Research

Strong interest in:
- Patient-reported outcomes
- Functional results
- Long-term survivorship

👉 Patient-centered research is increasingly important

💰 10. Appropriate Scope & Budget

Typical funding:
- Pilot-scale
Projects must be:
- Focused and achievable

👉 Over-scoped proposals are frequently rejected

📊 Summary: Key Predictors (Ranked)

Highest impact factors:

Colorectal disease focus
Clinical relevance & patient impact
Translational/clinical research

Moderate predictors:
4. Early-career development
5. Feasibility & study design
6. Mentorship quality

Supporting factors:
7. Topic alignment
8. Future funding potential
9. Patient-centered outcomes

💡 Insider Insight

Compared to NIH or large cancer funders:

American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons is:
👉 clinically focused + career-development oriented
👉 emphasizes pilot and practice-changing research

👉 Key evaluation question:
“Will this study improve colorectal surgical care and help develop a successful researcher?”

✔️ What wins:

Strong clinical relevance
Feasible pilot study
Clear mentorship and career plan

❌ What struggles:

Pure basic science
Overly ambitious designs
Weak linkage to colorectal practice

Specialties

Gastroenterology

Others

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant can be a General Surgery resident (PGY4 or higher with a plan to complete a fellowship in colon and rectal surgery within 1-2 years), Colon and Rectal Surgery resident, or faculty member in the first three years of practice, with demonstrated interest in pursuing academic career in colon and rectal surgery.
Applicant must be a Member or a Candidate Member of ASCRS in good standing.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 2515 Waukegan Road, #210 Bannockburn, IL 60015 Phone: (847) 607-6410

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