Emerging Innovators Grant Program Opens Call for Proposals

Submit applications to the Emerging Innovators Research Grant Portal by July 1, 2024. 

NBME recently launched the Emerging Innovators Grants, a new program designed to support early- and mid-career faculty, researchers and program leaders who want to explore visionary ideas and make a lasting impact on the medical education landscape. By investing in creative ideas from the medical education community, NBME aims to discover and nurture the next generation of innovations that will benefit learners, educators and ultimately patients.

The 2024 theme for project proposals is Promoting Equitable Assessment in Medical Education. NBME believes equitable assessment practices and educational programs can support a stronger health care system that has the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce health care disparities, while also enhancing the educational experience of learners. For this grant program, NBME views diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within medical education and assessment broadly to encourage creativity in the proposal design, allowing individuals and teams to determine the most meaningful ways to pursue and investigate change. Whether the proposed research or program implementation is completely novel, or new in the context of your own setting, we encourage all emerging innovators to apply.

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

• Innovative assessment design with an emphasis on equity and fairness. 
• Bias investigation and bias mitigation in existing assessments.
• Innovative program implementation to advance DEI.

We encourage proposals from individuals and/or teams which include individuals who are underrepresented in medicine. Teams are also encouraged to include learners or trainees. 

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.

Applications are currently being accepted through July 1, 2024. Learn more on NBME's Emerging Innovators Grants page.