Neuro-EM Scholars Program
Empowering early career emergency medicine (EM) physicians to lead transformative research in the neurological sciences, the Neuro-EM Scholars Program is dedicated to recruiting, training, mentoring, and supporting emerging physician-investigators worldwide. The program seeks to increase the number of emergency physicians conducting NIH-funded research focused on neurological disorders commonly encountered in prehospital and emergency department (ED) settings.
Now in its second year, the application portal for the Neuro-EM Scholars Program is open for the 2025 cohort. Applications will close this fall.
K12 Program
The K12 program supports clinically active EM physicians within the first two years of a faculty appointment. Selected scholars receive up to three years of financial support from the Neuro-EM Scholars Program, including 75% protected time for research. Research and career development activities are conducted at the scholar's home institution, guided by a local mentorship team.
To ensure a successful transition to independent funding, scholars are required to have a minimum of 50% protected research time secured by their home department for the two years following program completion.
The K12 program is funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with additional funding opportunities from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
Pipeline Program
The Pipeline Program offers advanced training for early career investigators who are not yet ready or eligible to apply for the K12 program. Participants are invited to attend the Neuro-EM Scholars Retreat, with travel and lodging expenses reimbursed. Eligible candidates include senior EM residents, fellows, and first-year faculty. Nominations must come from a department chair, division chief, or program director.
The Pipeline Program is funded by the National Foundation of Emergency Medicine.
Career Development Opportunities
The Neuro-EM Scholars Program offers a range of career development opportunities to support early-stage EM researchers. An annual retreat is held for funded scholars, K12 applicants, and Pipeline participants, providing dedicated time for networking, mentorship, and skill-building. The program also offers research training webinars (open to the broader research community) as well as additional resources tailored to the needs of early career EM investigators.