Funder: American College of Sports Medicine Foundation
Due Dates: November 13, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET (Application) | March 2027 (Award announcement) | April 1–September 1, 2027 (Project start)
Funding Amounts: Up to $20,000 for 24 months; one award per year
Summary: Supports innovative physician-led research on the health and wellbeing of traditionally underrepresented communities in sports medicine.
Key Information: PIs must belong to AMSSM or ACSM when applying and maintain membership in both throughout the two-year funding period.
Description
The Breaking Barriers Research Grant is a collaboration between the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) Foundation and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), involving the ACSM Research Committee. It supports innovative research focused on the health and wellbeing of traditionally underrepresented communities in sports medicine, with the goal of strengthening the evidence base for historically underserved populations.
The program seeks research addressing gaps in care, resources, and representation. Proposals must demonstrate high scientific quality and clear relevance to primary care sports medicine. Pilot projects intended to support future funding applications are welcome. Historically funded proposals have pursued meaningful, focused research questions achievable within the grant’s limited budget and two-year timeframe.
