2027–28 NREF Research Fellowship Grant & Young Clinician Investigator Award

Two one-year awards support basic, translational or patient-oriented neurosurgical research and development of clinician investigators. The research-fellowship track serves neurological-surgery residents; the young-clinician track serves junior neurosurgical faculty. Projects run July 1, 2027–June 30, 2028, with support up to US$50,000. Applications require a research proposal, career-development plan, sponsor documentation and institutional endorsements. Direct research costs and stipend are eligible; indirect costs, fringe benefits, publication costs and travel are excluded. The same project cannot receive duplicate outside funding. The application deadline is November 8, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time.

Research fellowship: physicians accepted into or currently enrolled in approved North American neurological-surgery residencies, with 80% research effort. Young clinician: neurosurgeons within two years of residency or clinical-fellowship completion, with full-time faculty appointments at North American teaching institutions and 50% research effort; exceptions may be considered. Applicants without a confirmed faculty position for the award period are encouraged to apply. Sponsor and institutional endorsement are required.