The American Board of Medical Specialties Research and Education Foundation 2026-2028 Independent Research Grant Application Process Is Now Open

CHICAGO, Nov. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Board of Medical Specialties Research and Education Foundation (ABMS REF) has announced the opening of the 2026–2028 Research Grant Application process for independent investigators. The grant program, funded by the ABMS REF, seeks original, investigator-driven research that will provide insight into the process of achieving and maintaining certification standards by any of the 24 ABMS Member Boards.

Four $75,000 grants totaling $300,000 will be awarded through the application process. All grants are for two years and will be based initially on a Letter of Intent (LOI) proposal which, if accepted, will be followed by a full-length grant submission. This is the third year that the ABMS REF has offered independent research grants, following the successful launch of the program in 2023.

The following application process and deadlines have been established for this grant cycle:

• LOI submission: Friday, January 30, 2026
• LOI notifications: Friday, February 27, 2026                                                  
• Full proposal submission: Friday, May 1, 2026
• Full proposal submission notification: Friday, June 19, 2026
• Grant start date: Monday, August 31, 2026
• Grant end date: Thursday, August 31, 2028

ABMS Member Boards in the specialty area of the potential research study will serve in a consultative role, providing the investigator with one round of written, formative feedback at the full proposal stage.  This consultative process will ensure full independence for the investigator to explore novel and groundbreaking studies while allowing the investigator the benefit of the Member Boards' extensive knowledge of certification.

An informational webinar for those interested in learning more about the ABMS REF grant program, eligibility, and the application process, will be held on Tuesday, December 16 from 4:30 – 5:30 pm (EST). To register for the webinar and for program details, please visit abms.org/research-and-education-foundation. For general inquiries about the grant program, please email Rachel Knapp, Information Data and Research Manager, at [email protected].

About ABMS
Established in 1933, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) is responsible for the creation of standards overseeing physician certification in the United States. Dedicated to improving the quality of care to the patients, families, and communities they serve, the 24 ABMS Member Boards develop educational and professional standards and programs of assessment to certify physicians and medical specialists. More than one million physicians and medical specialists are certified by one or more of the ABMS Member Boards in one or more of 38 specialties and 89 subspecialties. For more information about ABMS, visit abms.org or call (312) 436-2600.

SOURCE American Board of Medical Specialties