In Honor of Remarkable Leadership and Contributions to ACSM and the International Community of Sports Medicine and Exercise Science – An Extended Recognition Commencing in 2020 until 2025. 

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. Grant recipients from the United States and Canada are required to travel to an institution outside of the United States or Canada. Grant recipients from countries other than Canada and the United States are required to travel to an institution in the United States or Canada. It is the responsibility of every applicant to choose a host scientist who is an ACSM member. ACSM will not match applicants with host scientists. 

Toward this end, any professional activity that can be shown to advance the professional standing and reputation of scientists will be considered for funding. Although it is anticipated that most proposals will be for research-based activities, requests for other types of support, if they are shown to advance the goals stated above, will be considered.  

Eligibility: 

• ACSM membership is NOT a requirement. 

• Any professional in a discipline recognized by ACSM and with at least a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent. 

• Applicants must plan to engage in a professional activity that will advance the professional standing and reputation of scientists.  

• Applicants must select a host scientist who is an ACSM member.  

• Applicants must have a valid passport that expires more than six months after the end of the planned visit.  

• Previous recipients of the Howard G. “Skip” Knuttgen International Scholar Award are not eligible to apply.

Grant Requirements: 

• Winners must attend the 2025 ACSM Annual Meeting; one complimentary registration will be provided.   

• Winners are encouraged to attend the ACSM Honors at the ACSM Annual Meeting. 

• Winners must submit a brief report within one year of the conclusion of the visit.  

• Any publication (including abstracts) or creative endeavor arising from work supported by the grant must acknowledge the International Community of Sports Medicine and Exercise Science and the ACSM Foundation. 

Proposal Evaluation:  

Applicants who can demonstrate that completion of this training will serve to develop new research and professional opportunities in their home country will be given preference. 

Preference will be given to applicants in the early stages of their careers. 

In reviewing the proposals, the committee will consider:  

• The likelihood that the activities will open avenues for professional growth of the applicant (Importance of the visit section of the application); 

• The intrinsic quality of the proposed research activity (Objectives and Activities sections of the application); and 

• Evidence that the project can be successfully completed (CV of applicant and host).  

Grant Conditions:  

• The grant scholar must attend the ACSM Annual Meeting in the year the grant is given. The visit to the host institution should be organized to coincide with the ACSM Annual Meeting to maximize grant funds.  

• NOTE- If the host institution cannot arrange for the visit to occur immediately before or immediately after the Annual Meeting, the scholar may travel to the host institution at another time during the year. Should this occur, any additional funds required to complete two separate trips to the Annual Meeting and then to the host site would be the responsibility of the scholar. ACSM will not provide additional funding for the second trip. 

• The duration of the visit to the host institution can range from one to two months depending on the goals of the proposed project and must be completed prior to December 31 in the year the grant is given.  

• Grants are NOT transferable to other host institutions.  

Responsibilities of the Host  

• The host will help secure housing for the scholar. Costs for this housing will come out of the grant funds provided to the scholar.  

• The host must assist the scholar with obtaining any VISAs or travel documentation required by the host country. If the scholar is traveling to the US, they must have a J1 type IAP-66 Visa. A copy of this visa application is provided by the host institution. Prior to applying for the visit, the scholar must confirm that the host institution can provide this type of visa or other travel documentation required by the host country.  

• The host will ensure that the scholar is notified of any institution, local, state, and/or federal COVID-19 policies or guidelines which may affect the scholar’s visit.

Please contact the ACSM Foundation with questions regarding this award.