The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Research Committee and The AMSSM Foundation are proud to announce the launch of the Breaking Barriers Research Grant, a new funding opportunity aimed at advancing health and well-being for traditionally underrepresented communities in sports medicine.
“The American College of Sports Medicine is honored to collaborate with the AMSSM Foundation on the Breaking Barriers Research Grant,” said ACSM President Carrie A. Jaworski, MD, FACSM. “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to advancing rigorous research that addresses inequities in sports medicine. Working together, we aim to contribute meaningfully to a more equitable and evidence-informed future for our field and the people we serve.”
This collaborative initiative seeks to foster innovative research that addresses gaps in care, resources, and representation across sports medicine. The Breaking Barriers award underscores both organizations’ commitment to growing the evidence base supporting historically underserved populations.
“We believe this grant will help shine a light on communities that have long been
overlooked in sports medicine research,” said AMSSM President Carly Day, MD,
FAMSSM. “By supporting investigators who are committed to closing gaps in care, we
hope to help drive meaningful change.”
Key Information
- Application Deadline: December 17, 2025 (5:00 p.m. ET)
- Award Announcement: April 2026
- Grant Start Date: Between May 1 and September 1, 2026
- Project Budget: Up to $20,000 (direct + indirect costs)
- Project Timeline: Maximum of 2 years
Eligible applicants must be physician members (MD/DO or international equivalent) of either AMSSM or ACSM at the time of application. However, the Principal Investigator (PI) selected to receive the grant must maintain active membership in both AMSSM and ACSM throughout the two-year project period.
Applicants are encouraged to review the RFP here and the available templates, including the cover page, biographical sketches, and review template, before submission. Proposals that do not follow the outlined instructions will not be considered.
About AMSSM
The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) is a multidisciplinary organization of sports medicine physicians dedicated to education, research, advocacy, and the care of athletes of all ages and levels.
About ACSM
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world, with nearly 50,000 members and certified professionals in more than 100 countries. Together, ACSM is committed to the mission of educating and empowering professionals to advance the science and practice of health and human performance. ACSM advocates for legislation to help the government and health community make physical activity a priority.
