Supported by ACSM and the ACSM Foundation, these leadership and training awards demonstrate the organizational commitment to building and recognizing the next generation of leaders in exercise science and sports medicine.
Leadership & Training award applicants must be an ACSM member in good standing for all awards with the exception of the Howard G. “Skip” Knuttgen International Scholar Award, which does not require ACSM membership to apply.
Members must sign in with ACSM ID to access all other applications.
The Drinkwater Leadership Award in Women’s Health, Sport & Physical Activity celebrates mid-career members who demonstrate exceptional leadership in the area of women’s health, sport and physical activity — to include research focused on women, clinical care of women or other work focused primarily on women.
Established in honor of George Brooks, Ph.D., FACSM, a passionate advocate for student success, this scholarship will be awarded to the three winners of the ACSM Student Bowl held during ACSM Annual Meeting. Dr. Brooks was a familiar face and a long-time judge at the annual Student Bowl competition.
GSSI celebrates the passion, resilience, and academic excellence of first-generation college students pursuing graduate degrees in exercise physiology, sports science, kinesiology, sports nutrition, and/or exercise psychology. Designed to empower emerging leaders in the field, the award recognizes individuals who are breaking new ground, not only in their families but in the science of human performance.
In addition to research funding, to help promote professional development, award winners will receive one year of 1:1 mentorship from a GSSI scientist. Award winners will also receive complementary registration to ACSM’s 2026 Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, UT.
GSSI-ACSM Young Scholar Professional Development Grant supports attendance at the ACSM Annual Meeting and additional professional development for students in the fields of sports nutrition or exercise physiology.
Howard G. “Skip” Knuttgen International Scholar Grant encourages creative approaches to promote the acquisition of technical expertise and/or scientific knowledge by professionals through an international exchange.
ACSM’s Leadership Development Training Program (LDTP) exists to mentor members with the ultimate goal of obtaining ACSM Fellowship. Applicants must demonstrate that their backgrounds, lived experiences, and/or professional perspectives reflect the communities ACSM serves, and must show a commitment to advancing health equity and a sense of belonging within the fields of sports medicine and exercise science.
This session explores the physiology of hydration through an integrated lens—examining how carbohydrate, sodium, flavor, and fluid interact to influence intake, absorption, retention, and performance. We’ll review current research on fluid balance, osmotic drivers, and palatability, highlighting mechanisms that underpin voluntary intake and thermoregulation. Attendees will gain insight into individualized strategies, including sweat profiling and timing approaches, to optimize euhydration and mitigate performance decrements associated with >2% body-mass loss. Practical applications will be linked to laboratory- and field-based research, ensuring translation from bench to field. This pre-conference equips you with evidence-based tools to support athlete hydration across diverse environments and sporting contexts.
