USA ACS Resident Research Scholarships 2026 (Eligibility, Application Process & FAQs)
To assist residents in general surgery or surgical specialty programs in the US and Canada, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) is providing the esteemed ACS Resident Research Scholarships 2026. By providing support for focused research across the surgical spectrum, these two-year scholarships encourage surgical trainees to pursue a career in academic surgery.
Degree Level
- Open to residents in surgical training programs (general surgery or surgical specialties).
- Scholarships do not support post-residency research after the chief residency year.
Available Subjects
- Research across general surgery and surgical specialties (all accredited disciplines).
- Projects can cover basic science, clinical, translational, or health services research.
USA ACS Resident Research Scholarships 2026 (Eligibility, Application Process & FAQs)
Benefits
Scholarship Value:
- $60,000 over two years ($30,000/year).
- Covers direct research costs (salary, personnel, equipment, supplies, travel).
- Cannot be used for degree tuition (e.g., MPH, MBA, PhD).
Important Notes:
- Study abroad is permissible.
- Year 2 funding is contingent on satisfactory progress & financial reports.
- Recipients must present research results at the ACS Clinical Congress (Year 2).
- Applicants with existing extramural research funding are not eligible.
Eligible Nationalities
Open to U.S. and Canadian residents enrolled in accredited surgical training programs.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the ACS Resident Research Scholarship 2025, applicants must:
- Be a Resident Member of the ACS.
- Have completed at least two postgraduate years in an accredited U.S. or Canadian surgical training program by the start of the scholarship.
- Be pursuing research before completion of their chief residency year.
- Obtain full-time support and leave from their department to conduct research for two years.
- Work with a primary mentor who is an ACS Fellow.
- Note: The ACS encourages diversity of applicants and institutions. In rare cases, more than one award may be granted to applicants from the same institution.
USA ACS Resident Research Scholarships 2026 (Eligibility, Application Process & FAQs)
Application Procedure
Applicants must submit their materials according to ACS guidelines. Incomplete or non-compliant applications will not be considered.
Required Documents:
- Research Title & Executive Summary (≤400 words).
- Research Proposal (5-page maximum):
- Specific Aims (1 page)
- Research Strategy (3 pages: significance, innovation, preliminary data, experimental design)
- References (1 page)
- Two-Year Budget & Justification (using ACS template).
- Letter from Fiscal Officer (approving application, confirming no indirect costs).
- Letter from Department Chair (confirming residency position, time granted for full-time research).
- Letter from Primary Mentor (ACS Fellow) with mentoring plan.
- NIH-style Biosketch for applicant and mentor (5 pages each).
Deadline:
- The 2026 deadline is expected around late August 2026 (last cycle closed on August 25, 2025).
- Stay updated: Always check the ACS Scholarships page or subscribe to ACS updates, as exact deadlines may shift each academic year.
Conclusion
The ACS Resident Research Scholarships 2026 provide a remarkable opportunity for surgical residents in the U.S. and Canada to strengthen their academic careers through two years of funded research. With $60,000 in support, mentorship from ACS Fellows, and the platform to present at the ACS Clinical Congress, this program paves the way for future surgical leaders in research and practice.
USA ACS Resident Research Scholarships 2026 (Eligibility, Application Process & FAQs)