[American Gastroenterological Association](https://gastro.org)

September 15, 2026

$40,000 for a one-year pilot project; approximately 5 awards per cycle.

Supports innovative pilot research in gastroenterology or hepatology to help investigators generate preliminary data for future funding.

AGA membership is required at the time of application; applicants must hold a full-time faculty or equivalent position in North America.

--- ## Description This award provides early-stage or established investigators with funding to support innovative pilot research projects in gastroenterology or hepatology. The goal is to generate preliminary data that can be leveraged for future, larger grants and to advance the understanding of digestive diseases. The program is open to all research types relevant to digestive disorders, including basic, translational, and clinical research. --- ## Due Dates - Full application submission deadline: September 15, 2026 --- ## Funding Amount - Each award provides $40,000 in direct costs for a one-year project period. - Approximately 5 awards are made per cycle. - No indirect costs or mentor salary support are allowed. - Allowable expenses include PI salary, research personnel, supplies, equipment, and biostatistics support; travel is not supported. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must hold an MD, PhD, or equivalent degree (e.g., MBBS, MBChB, DO). - Must have a full-time faculty or faculty-equivalent position at an institution in the United States, Canada, or Mexico by the award start date. - AGA membership is required at the time of application submission. - Open to early career and established investigators: - Early career: MD applicants must be within 7 years of completing clinical training (GI fellowship or equivalent) as of April 2027; PhD applicants must be within 7 years of degree conferment as of April 2027. - Established investigators must propose research distinct from their previous work. - Applicants from underrepresented groups, including women and physician-scientists, are encouraged to apply. - Applicants may not hold another award directly related to the proposed research at the time of application. - Only one submission per applicant per award mechanism per year. --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted online via the [AGA Grants Management System](https://gastro.org/research-and-awards/apply-for-awards/award/aga-pilot-research-award/). - Required components include: - Research plan (3 pages) - Specific aims (1 page) - Budget and budget justification - Biosketches for PI, mentor (if applicable), and key personnel - Facilities and resources form - References - Mentor's letter of support (required for early career applicants) - Sponsor's letter of support (required for instructor/assistant professor applicants) - List of current and pending support - Institutional approvals for human/animal subjects must be provided prior to fund disbursement if awarded. - Applications are reviewed by the AGA Research Awards Panel, with decisions expected within five months after the deadline. --- ## Additional Information - No minimum percent effort is required for this award. - Past recipients may reapply if eligibility criteria are still met. - Progress and financial reports are required upon completion of the award. - Requests for budget revisions, no-cost extensions, or institutional transfers must follow AGA policies. - Awardees must acknowledge AGA support in publications and presentations. --- ## External Links - [AGA Pilot Research Award program page](https://gastro.org/research-and-awards/apply-for-awards/award/aga-pilot-research-award/) - [Award Policies](https://gastro.org/research-awards/award-policies/) - [Award Resources & FAQs](https://gastro.org/research-awards/award-resources/) - [AGA Research Foundation](https://foundation.gastro.org/) - [Apply Now](https://proposalcentral.com/ProposalGI.asp?SectionID=12924&ProposalID=-1) - [Facilities and Resources Template (DOCX)](https://agaassets.s3.amazonaws.com/word/AGA_Facilities_and_Resources_Template.docx) - [Preview Application (PDF)](https://aga-fileuploader-bucket.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/2027%20AGA%20Pilot%20Research%20Award%20Preview.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | |------------------------|------------------------------|--------------| | AGA Awards Program | [awards@gastro.org](mailto:awards@gastro.org) | 301-654-2055 | | Membership Inquiries | [member@gastro.org](mailto:member@gastro.org) | 301-654-2055 | | Technical Support | [pcsupport@altum.com](mailto:pcsupport@altum.com) | |

AGA Pilot Research Award

Sign in to see full grant listing