American Society of Pediatric Neurosurgeons Seed Grant Program

Goal: To provide “seed” funding to jumpstart promising projects conducted by early career pediatric neurosurgeons. Ideally, this funding will lead to substantial progress that transforms how we manage the care of individuals with pediatric neurosurgical issues and/or to additional extramural funding. Projects may span the breadth of basic, translational, and clinical research to patient safety/quality improvement, global health, education, and advocacy.

Award amount: $25,000 maximum for a 2-year award

Eligibility: Eligible applicants must be pediatric neurosurgeons and ASPN members who have completed their pediatric fellowship training less than 10 years ago, at the time of the ASPN meeting. Applicants may submit only one project.

2026 Application Funding Cycle:

Application Due Date: November 15, 2026 at 11:59pm EST 

Announcement of Award: ASPN meeting, 2027

Progress Report Due: January 1, 2028

Completed Project Presentation:  ASPN meeting 2029

Application components:

Format with 11 point Arial, 0.5 inch margins, single-space, compiled as one PDF

Page 1            Cover page

                       Contact information for grants office

                       Assurance to abide by IRB, IACUC as appropriate

                       Conflict of Interest attestation

Page 2            Abstract/Summary 30 lines

Pages 3-5       Project Strategy (3 p, including figures) that includes

                       Hypothesis and Specific Aims/Goals

                       Background and Pilot Data (if available)

                       Approach/Methods/Expected Outcomes/Alternatives

                       Power Analysis and Statistical Design, Milestones

Page 6            Impact/Significance  ~20 lines

                       Team/Environment composition ~15 lines

                       Budget and Budget Justification

                       References     Unlimited, full references

                       NIH Biosketch of applicant

Email completed application to the ASPN Secretary, Howard Weiner at [email protected]