ASRM's KEEPR Program: Bridges to Equity Initiative Resident Research Award

ASRM's KEEPR Program: Bridges to Equity Initiative Resident Research Award

(Sponsored by EMD Serono)

OVERVIEW AND GOAL:

The ASRM DEI Committee is proud to announce the 2025-2026 Resident Research Award cycle. This opportunity, sponsored by EMD Serono, is available to OB/GYN resident physicians conducting clinical research in areas including but not limited to assessing education, access to care, inclusivity, or scientific innovation related to the field of reproductive medicine.

AWARD:

ASRM will award up to four grants, each in the amount of $5,000. Each project must be completed in 1 year with no opportunity for extension.

ELIGIBILITY:

  • OB GYN resident physicians in an ACGME accredited program are eligible to apply.
  • Residents from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • The project must be completed prior to completion of residency.
  •  Applicants need not be ASRM members at the time of the application but will be required to become members prior to the initiation and throughout the duration of funding. Awardees must maintain active membership until the project is completed and has been presented at an ASRM Annual Scientific Congress.

Formatting & Due Date:

  • The proposal must be typed in Calibri 12 pt. type with page margins no less than .5 inches and no more than 1 inch.
  • Pagination should be included at the bottom of each page (excluding the Title page).
  • The entire application must be submitted as ONE PDF FILE to research@asrm.org with the Subject Line: ASRM Resident Research Award Application by 4:00 PM ET on Sunday March 1, 2026.

Selection Process:

Proposals will be reviewed in January and award notifications will be made in February 2026, with awards being paid-out March/April 2026.

Expectations and Deliverables:

  • 6-month progress report & budget reconciliation.
  • Abstract to be submitted to ASRM for selection at Annual Conference.
  • Final progress report is due no later than 90-days post project completion. 

APPLICATION

An application must include the following information in order as described below. Additionally, all letters must be included in your application package and cannot be sent separately before the application deadline.

  1. Title page
    1. Title of the project (not to exceed 200 characters including spaces)
    2. Applicant’s name and credentials
    3. Applicant’s department affiliation and sponsoring institution
    4. Contact information including mailing address, telephone number and email
    5. ASRM membership status (provide member number if applicable)
    6. Total funding amount requested
    7. Identify and engage with a senior research mentor. (Please note: The research mentor should be associated with an ACGME accredited program and an ASRM member.)
  2. Letter (One page maximum)
    1. Program Director or faculty mentor letter of support acknowledging the applicant’s grant proposal, and confirming the institution’s commitment to providing time and support to the applicant.
  3.  Abstract (250 words maximum)
    1. Scientific Abstract describing the research proposal including the potential immediate impact of the anticipated results on the practice of reproductive medicine.
  4. Specific Aims of the research proposal presented in NIH format– (One page maximum)
  5. A research proposal should include the following sections (Three page maximum)
    1. Background and Significance
    2. Resources and Environment (can be attached as appendix-optional section)
    3. Research Plan (methodology and statistical analysis plan must be clearly described)
    4. Timeline for project start up, implementation, and completion
    5. References/citations are required but will not count against the total number of pages for the application.  You may also include them as an appendix.
  6. NIH-style Biosketch
    1. An NIH biosketch for the primary investigator as well as the faculty member should be provided.
  7. Budget
    1. A detailed budget and budget justification for the project
    2. No clinical care costs will be covered by this funding opportunity
    3. Funds are available for project expenses, research supplies, analysis software, national registries, survey licenses, etc.
    4. Funds may NOT be used towards degree-seeking courses, or educational training
    5. This grant does not cover sponsoring institution indirect costs
  8. Regulatory Requirements
    1. Human and/or animal use must be approved by the Institutional Review Board or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, or their equivalent, and documented before funds are released, but pre-approval is not required for application.