AACAP Pilot Research Award, supported by Pfizer, Inc.

AACAP Pilot Research Award for General Psychiatry Residents, supported by Industry Supporters

The availability of all awards is contingent upon the receipt of adequate funding.

Request for Applications - Deadline: April 1, 2026

The AACAP Pilot Research Award, supported by Industry Supporters, offers $15,000 for general psychiatry residents who have an interest in beginning a career in child and adolescent psychiatry research. By providing up to two awards to general psychiatry residents for pilot research programs, we support these young investigators at a critical stage, encouraging future careers in child and adolescent psychiatry research. Recipients have the opportunity to submit a poster presentation on their research for 2027 Annual Meeting in New York, NY, October 25-30, 2027. The award also includes travel support to attend the AACAP Annual Meeting for up to five days.

AACAP solicits funding from industry supporters, including pharmaceutical companies, for the AACAP Pilot Award for General Psychiatry Residents. A list of funding sources that have committed or been previously associated with the award will be made known prior to award. In case some or all of the funding may not become available to AACAP until after an award recipient has been selected, the recipient will be informed of the supporter’s name. Please note that due to this funding structure, which is designed to eliminate interactions between award recipients and supporters, there may be instances in which funding is awarded to recipients prior to certain sponsors being connected to the award. In some instances, funders may be affiliated with an award after research has already been completed or submitted for publication. AACAP’s Research Committee selects awardees and monitors awardee progress; industry supporters do not participate in Pilot Award selection, nor do they interact with the awardee in any way. Please note that the Physician Payment Sunshine Act reporting requirements may apply should AACAP receive funding support for this award from a pharmaceutical source.

Award Requirements

Candidates must be enrolled in a general psychiatry residency.
Candidates must not have any previous significant, individual research funding in the field of child and adolescent mental health. These include the following: NIMH/NIH funding (Small Grants, R-01) or similar foundation or industry research funding. Candidates who have received or are currently receiving "T32" funding support are eligible to apply.
Candidates must either be AACAP members or have a membership application pending (not paid by the award) and agree to submit a poster presentation on their research for AACAP’s 2027 Annual Meeting in New York, NY, October 25-30, 2027.

Application Guidelines

A proposal, no more than eight pages (single spaced, no less than 12 pt. font and 1" margins), including a specific aims page, four pages of research strategy, a one-page detailed project timeline, a one-page budget and justification, and one page addressing the inclusion or exclusion of women and minorities. (References may exceed the page limit).
- Specific aims page – no more than one page.
- The research strategy should include the following sections: significance and specific aims; hypotheses; background and rationale; and a research plan (including data analysis plan). Research may be pre-clinical, epidemiological, or clinical.
- The detailed project timeline should list tentative dates of all procedures for the proposed research project. These include but are not limited to: data collection processes; analysis of results; and final report writing.
- The budget should contain sufficient detail so that each item can be separately judged. Computer related items (e.g., personal computers, printers, modems, etc.) are extremely unlikely to receive budget approval. No salary support for the principal investigator will be provided. No indirect costs for the institution will be provided. Typical budget items may include but are not limited to: subject honoraria and travel expenses; instrumentation costs; assay and lab test costs; and/or payment to research assistants.
- If women or minorities will not be included, detailed justification of the rationale for their exclusion is mandatory. Such exclusion may lower enthusiasm for the proposal.
A career development plan – no more than one page addressing how this award will impact the career development of the applicant. It may include plans for future grant submissions.
Self-identification rubric (optional)
A letter of support from section chief or department chair.
A letter of support from the proposed mentor.
Candidate's current curriculum vitae.
Mentor’s curriculum vitae.
Letter detailing any current research funding (role on project, title, type of project, and source of funds).

(Human and Animal Subjects must be verified at time of award and do not need to be included with the application.)

If interested in simultaneously applying for the AACAP CAPRI program, please be prepared to add the following:

A document (1/2 to 1 page) addressing how the CAPRI program and theoretical K will impact the applicant’s career development.

Program Format

Award recipients are encouraged to work with a child and adolescent psychiatric investigator with expertise in their particular area of interest. Work must be completed within one year of receipt of the award. Submission of the pilot data is due in June 2027. Funding is up to $15,000 beginning on August 1, 2026 and ending October 31, 2027 (the time the award-funded research is presented at the 2027 AACAP Annual Meeting). Any unused funds must be returned to AACAP. All awardees are expected to attend any required events at the Annual Meeting at AACAP’s discretion.

AACAP has the right to waive informalities.

Application Deadline

All completed applications and attachments must be submitted by April 1, 2026.

Review Process

Applications will be reviewed by senior investigators with experience in related work in child and adolescent psychiatry research. Prior to the scientific review process, applications will undergo an administrative review process.

Administrative Review – Applications will be reviewed for submission of all application materials. Incomplete applications will not be forwarded for scientific review. Please ensure you meet the eligibility requirements and have submitted all requested application materials before finalizing your application.
Scientific Review – Applications will undergo a scientific review process by senior child and adolescent psychiatry researchers. A selection committee made up of members of the Research Committee will review applications. Members of the Research Committee are eligible for the award if they do not serve on the selection committee. The review criteria are as follows:

Significance: The study addresses an important problem.
Approach: The study is adequately developed, well integrated, well reasoned, and appropriate to the aims of the project.
Innovation: The project is original and innovative.
Investigator: The investigator is well suited to carry out this work.
Environment: The scientific environment in which the work will be done and the mentor with whom the work will be done contribute to the probability of success.
Feasibility: The project is doable in the allotted time.
Mentorship: At least one of the mentor(s) selected have the appropriate research experience and the time available to provide guidance and oversight of the project.
Career Development: Given the candidate's career development plan, this award will impact the trajectory of the candidate's career.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Letters of support must be uploaded by the endorser (i.e., section chief or department chair, and mentor). Please notify endorsers of this process and the application deadline.)