PRIMED FAQ
Am I eligible to apply for PRIMED?
Any current member of ASRM – regardless of discipline or length of experience – is welcome to apply.
What sort of time commitment is required?
PRIMED is designed to accommodate ASRM members’ busy schedules. Classes have traditionally been scheduled during weekday evenings (8-10 EST).
What is the course format, and will there be homework?
PRIMED is a hybrid online and in-person learning initiative. Online classes – called Modules – are delivered live by ASRM staff and external guests. The small class size enables online sessions to take on more of a “seminar” – with dialogue exchange – than “lecture” – mode. The course syllabus, which includes required readings/viewings for each module and related assignments – is housed in the PRIMED Google Classroom, to which each Cohort member is invited. Additionally, the online classroom provides a library of optional reading materials, messaging boards, and file-sharing capabilities to promote ongoing learning and collaboration across the cohort.
What if I miss a class?
Barring any concerns from cohort members, PRIMED classes are recorded and saved to our Google Classroom for later viewing.
Who are the faculty?
The PRIMED faculty includes ASRM’s in-house experts from its Office of Public Affairs and Center for Policy and Leadership (experienced lobbyists and advocates) and external speakers and guests with hands-on experience and expertise. For example, communications professionals and current legislative staff will be on hand to share insider insights and tips to hone your advocacy skills and maximize facetime with policymakers and other officials.
Tell me more about this Capstone Project.
Each PRIMED Scholar is expected to fulfill the program to deliver a Capstone Project. The output is a deliverable, which may come in myriad formats, including but not limited to a white paper, a literature review, a journal article, a fact sheet series, a toolkit, and an infographic series. The final product should be intended to inform and educate an intended audience (e.g., policymakers and their staff) on a policy issue with import and implications for the field of reproductive medicine, including analysis, discussion, and, as appropriate, specific policy recommendations. Scholars may elect to team up for this assignment and will have an opportunity to present their Capstones at the ASRM 2026 Annual Congress & Expo in Baltimore, Maryland.
What does this program cost its participants?
We strive to make this a cost-free learning experience for ASRM members. In 2024 and 2025, scholars received stipends to offset the cost of PRIMED-related travel and activities. Similar funding is expected to be available for the 2026 cohort. Stay tuned for specifics.
I've never advocated – or – I’ve got a bit of advocacy experience already. Can I still apply?
PRIMED is designed to accommodate and build skills from all levels of advocacy experience. The cross-pollination of ideas and knowledge is one of the hallmarks of the program’s success. All ASRM members are welcome to apply.
I previously applied and was not selected. Can and should I apply again?
Of course. All applications from ASRM members are welcome.
What does PRIMED stand for, and how is it pronounced?
PRIMED is a perfectly imperfect acronym for Preparing experts in Reproductive Medicine to Engage Decisionmakers. It’s pronounced “praɪm-ed.” (I’m primed to discuss this IVF insurance mandate with policymakers!)
2025 Cohort – Applications for the PRIMED 2025 Cohort Open October 27, 2025, and close December 1, 2025.
Learn more about the goals and opportunities of PRIMED.