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Sheila Essey Award: An Award for ALS Research

American Academy of Neurology

This award recognizes an individual who has made significant research contributions in the search for the cause, prevention of, and cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The criteria being used to determine the recipient include recent major scientific impact, long-term scientific impact, and overall impact to ALS.

Timeline

Applications open: July 29, 2026
Applications close: October 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CT
Notifications sent: By end of January 2027

Presentation

Recipient is expected to present a 20-minute lecture during a scientific session at the 2027 AAN Annual Meeting.

Benefits

Sculpture and $50,000 prize to be used by recipient to continue ALS research
Complimentary registration for the 2027 Annual Meeting

Application process

Applicants should submit one complete set of the following materials:

Completed application form
Current curriculum vitae (CV)
Letter from the applicant summarizing how their scientific contributions have created a better understanding of ALS; why applicant should receive award; and why contributions represent a major advance or hold significance in ALS research in terms of identifying the cause, potential treatment, prevention, or cure
Letter from a colleague summarizing applicant's body of work, including:
1. Relevant background material
2. Research accomplishments placed in context
3. Assessment of the direct or indirect impact of contributions to the understanding of ALS
Supporting information (not to exceed three pages), including:
1. Single-page biography including previous positions and any awards or recognition received
2. One- to two-page listing of six to ten peer-reviewed journal references that support statements about contributions to ALS research (do not send reprints or a bibliography)

Nominations

This award accepts both self-applicants and nominations. Nominators should complete the application form and select the option "I wish to nominate someone". The nominee will receive an email with a link to complete the award application and upload their application materials. Nominators do not need to provide application materials for the nominee.

Judging criteria

All applications received by the deadline date will be judged based on the following criteria:

CV and supporting information: Judges will consider scientific citizenship, track record (number of papers, first authorships, journal impact, etc.), and career stage.
Summary letter: Letter should demonstrate the following qualities: innovative, clearly described, impact, consistent with skill set, appropriate statistical methodology, evidence of ethical considerations, and potential to fill a gap.
Letter of support: Letter should display the following: strength of professional potential, outline ownership of project, outline aspects that define a researcher, and outline career trajectory related to this award.
Overall impact on the field: Judges will consider scientific integrity, academic excellence, legacy of mentorship, outstanding professionalism, and inspiration for future generations.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Strong commitment to an academic career in neurology (highest predictor)

This is the most consistent predictor across AAN funding programs.

AAN specifically targets investigators pursuing careers in:

Clinical neurology research
Translational neuroscience
Basic neuroscience
Neurological disease research
Neurological health-services research

Most awards are designed as career-launching mechanisms for future academic leaders in neurology.

2. High-quality, hypothesis-driven neurological research (very high predictor)

Competitive applications typically include:

An important neurological research question
Strong scientific rationale
Rigorous methodology
Appropriate statistical design
Clear specific aims
Feasible timeline

AAN funds research across numerous neurological disorders, including:

Stroke
Epilepsy
Alzheimer's disease and dementias
Parkinson's disease
ALS
Multiple sclerosis
Neuromuscular disorders
Peripheral neuropathy
Rare neurological diseases

3. Strong potential for future NIH or major external funding

One of AAN's primary goals is to create a pipeline of successful independent investigators.

Reviewers strongly favor projects that can:

Generate preliminary data
Lead to NIH K awards
Support future R-series applications
Launch long-term neurological research programs

Past awardees frequently describe AAN funding as a critical stepping stone toward larger federal grants.

4. Strong mentorship and protected research time

A recurring theme across AAN awards is the importance of mentorship.

Successful applications usually demonstrate:

Experienced research mentor(s)
Strong research environment
Protected research effort
Career-development plan
Access to necessary resources and infrastructure

Award recipients frequently cite mentorship and protected time as key benefits of AAN funding.

5. Early-career investigator promise

Most AAN Research Program awards specifically target:

Residents
Fellows
Postdoctoral researchers
Junior faculty
Early-stage investigators

Reviewers often look for:

Emerging independence
Academic potential
Commitment to neurology research
Long-term research vision

Eligibility requirements for many awards are explicitly tied to years since residency or doctoral training.

6. Publication record and prior productivity

Strong applicants typically demonstrate:

First-author publications
Neurology-related research output
Scientific presentations
Abstracts at major neurology meetings
Evidence of scholarly momentum

Although extensive publication records are not always required, prior productivity substantially strengthens competitiveness.

7. Clinical and translational relevance

Projects with a realistic pathway to improving:

Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Patient outcomes
Quality of care
Neurological healthcare delivery

are particularly attractive to AAN reviewers. Practice-based and implementation-focused research is also supported through dedicated scholarship mechanisms.

8. Alignment with specific AAN award mechanisms

AAN uses multiple funding tracks, and strong applications clearly fit the intended mechanism:

Career Development Award (CDA) – independent junior investigators
Clinical Research Training Scholarship (CRTS) – mentored clinical investigators
Neuroscience Research Training Scholarship (NRTS) – laboratory/basic neuroscience researchers
Practice Research Training Scholarship (PRTS) – health services and implementation research
Clinician-Scientist Development Awards (CSDA) – disease-focused career development programs

Specialties

Neurosciences

Eligibility Requirements

Must be actively engaged in ALS research. Applicants do not need to be an AAN member to apply. Industry employees are not eligible to apply.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: American Academy of Neurology

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 25 Massachusetts Avenue Suite 500J Washington, DC 20001

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