EMERGING INNOVATORS GRANTS

The NBME Emerging Innovators Grant Program empowers early- to mid-career faculty, researchers and program leaders to explore visionary ideas and make a lasting impact on the medical education landscape.

Overview How to Apply About the Application How to Complete Funding View Recipients

Overview

Applications for the 2026 cycle are due by June 15, 2026.

This grant is designed to support early- and mid-career medical education faculty or staff who share our commitment to advancing equitable assessment practices and developing innovative assessment approaches. Equitable assessment practices and educational programs can support a stronger health care system with the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce health care disparities, while also enhancing educational experience of learners. We also seek projects promoting innovative thinking to push boundaries of medical education and assessment locally and/or nationally.

We are looking for proposals that advance one or more of the following: 

  • Designing assessments that create a novel approach to measuring specific
    competencies.
  • Creating high-quality assessment processes that support fair and consistent assessment
    experiences.
  • Assessing the implementation of a novel program of instruction and/or assessment.

The projects should focus on enhancing assessment practices and medical education programs within the theme of Promoting Equitable Assessment in Medical Education. Proposals must focus on advancing equity, innovation or both in assessment and medical education. Whether the proposed research or program implementation is completely novel, or new in the context of your own setting, we encourage emerging innovators to apply for this grant opportunity during open cycles. 

For this program, emerging innovators include, but are not limited to, assistant professors, nontenured faculty and administrative roles. We encourage proposals from individuals and/or teams.

NBME will fund up to $25,000 in total for each accepted proposal. Four proposals that can be completed within a 1–2-year timeframe will be selected. Grants will be awarded to medical schools accredited by the LCME or the AOA/COCA or graduate medical education (GME) training facilities. Applications are accepted from principal investigators with appointments at LCME- and AOA/COCA-accredited medical schools or GME facilities.

 

How to Apply

Applications for the 2026 cycle are due by June 15, 2026.

The Application Guide explains the requirements and format that should be followed for your application submission.

When you are ready to submit your application, please visit the Emerging Innovator Research Grant Portal.

  1. Login or create an account on NBME’s Submittable page.
  2. Read the Guidelines and complete the form.
  3. Follow the instructions for submitting your application and attach any required documents.
  4. You may save your online application at any time and return to complete it later by scrolling to the bottom of the submission form and selecting “Save Draft.”
    • When you are ready to return to complete the form, log into your account, click on your name at the top right of the internet browser, select “My Submissions” and select the desired draft.

Reach out to our Grant Program team at NBMEInnovatorsGrants@NBME.org with questions.

About the Application

Eligibility: This program is currently open to principal investigators with appointments at LCME- and AOA/COCA-accredited U.S. and Canadian medical schools or GME training facilities. View additional eligibility guidelines here.

The following elements constitute a complete proposal:

  • Abstract (350 words) which summarizes the project.
  • Statement of the problem being addressed or investigated, including literature review and any existing pilot data.
  • Specific aims and methods of the proposed project. 
  • Anticipated outcomes and impact.
    • For program implementation proposals, please include information on intended program evaluation.
  • Potential for sustainability and/or scalability at the end of the funding period.
  • Research or project implementation plan, including timeline, 2-year maximum.
  • Existing IRB approvals or any IRB applications in process, as applicable.
  • Itemized Budget, limited to 10% indirect costs. 
  • Biographical sketch of principal investigator (PI) and associated team.
  • At least one letter of support from institutional leadership (e.g., Division/Department Director, Dean, other program leader, etc.). The letter should convey leadership support for the project and address PI’s available time to complete the project.
  • Identification of mentors/mentees, as applicable.

Additional Documents

How to Complete Funding

When your project is approved for funding, NBME staff will work with you to complete the contract between your organization and NBME. Funding is contingent upon completing the contract process and providing NBME with IRB documentation (where applicable).

Once your project is funded and in progress a final report is required as part of your contractual agreement. Guidelines for report submission are provided below. For information specific to your obligations, please refer to your Emerging Innovators Grant contract. You will receive reminders from NBME staff regarding due dates for your reports.

Final Reports

You are required to submit a final report within 60 days of the completion of the project. A one-time extension may be granted, but you must submit a detailed request in writing.

View Recipients

Since its founding in 2023, the Emerging Innovators Grants Program has awarded five grants of up to $25,000. Learn more about recent recipients and their projects within the links below.

2023 Emerging Innovators Grants Projects

Meet the 2023 Principal Investigators

A photograph of Rachel Bracken

Rachel Bracken, PhD - Northeastern Ohio Medical University College of Medicine

A photograph of Shauna Gibbons

Shauna Gibbons, MD - University of Kansas School of Medicine

A photograph of Lauren Roth

Lauren Roth, MD - Albert Einstein College of Medicine

A photograph of Javeed Sukhera

Javeed Sukhera, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University

A photograph of J. Corey Williams

J. Corey Williams, MD - MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

A photograph of a lecture

Stemmler Grants

This program supports mid- and senior-career researchers in their work to develop innovative approaches for the assessment of medical education.

View Program
A photograph of two physicians researching

Research Collaborations

Learn how collaborations within the medical education community are playing a key role in advancing assessment to meet the needs of both students and educators.

View Collaborations