ABA Sponsors ABMS Scholars Program™, Applications Now Open

The American Board of Anesthesiology is pleased to sponsor the American Board of Medical Specialties’ ABMS Scholars Program, now open for applications. ABMS invites early-career physicians and researchers to submit their research project proposals by June 22 at 11:59 p.m. CT for the 2026-2027 cycle.

The ABMS Scholars Program supports early-career physicians conducting innovative, impactful research that strengthens board certification and informs physician assessment to ensure the highest standard of patient care. Each ABMS Scholar will receive a $15,000 grant and the opportunity to learn from subject matter experts in certification, research, data science, medical education and health policy.

2026–2027 RESEARCH PRIORITIES

ABMS will award four grants to projects advancing research priorities established by the ABMS Research and Education Foundation (ABMS REF) related to initial and continuing certification, focused on clinical reasoning, competency‑based education and assessment, professionalism and equity, quality and safety, physician well‑being and the use of technology and artificial intelligence across medical specialties.

ABMS will select additional scholars to advance one or more of the ABA’s research priorities, which include:

• Next-generation assessment formats (beyond multiple-choice questions [MCQs]): Research and validation of alternative assessment modalities appropriate for anesthesiology (e.g., expanded OSCE approaches; other formats that better capture performance/skills than MCQs).
• Adaptive learning and personalized continuing certification: Evidence for the effectiveness, fairness and educational impact of adaptive learning approaches embedded in continuing certification (including models that personalize assessment/learning pathways).
• Using ABA performance data to support continuing medical education (CME): Research on how to translate aggregate diplomate performance data into actionable insights for educators and CME developers, including what data is most useful and how to present it.
• Assessment of “holistic” skills in anesthesiology certification: Methods to define, teach, learn and assess leadership, management, professionalism, communication and team-based skills, especially via OSCEs and case-based longitudinal items.
• Trainee engagement and early formative assessment: Evidence for formative tools and earlier engagement during residency (e.g., what program/resident feedback is most useful; impact on readiness, learning and professional development).

Potential applicants may sign up for updates here or contact the ABMS Scholars Program at scholars@abms.org for any additional questions.