Current Research Opportunities
Current Grant Opportunities Advancing Research in Complex Benign Gynecology
Funding opportunities for clinical and translational research in complex benign gynecology have expanded significantly in recent years. Multiple federal agencies, professional societies, and private foundations now offer grants specifically relevant to AAGL members. Below is a focused overview of the most relevant funding pathways for gynecologic surgeons.
NIH and NICHD: Core Funding for Clinical and Surgical Research
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), particularly the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), remains the primary source of funding for clinical research in benign gynecology. Relevant key mechanisms include:
- R21 grants: exploratory clinical research and pilot studies https://grants.nih.gov/funding/activity-codes/r21
- R01 grants: large-scale clinical trials, surgical outcomes research, and translational studies https://grants.nih.gov/funding/activity-codes/R01
- K-series Career Development Programs: protected time and support for surgeon-investigators transitioning into independent research https://www.nimh.nih.gov/funding/training/career-development-programs-k-series
These mechanisms support investigator-initiated studies, registries, and multicenter clinical research.
The NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) also supports interdisciplinary clinical research and career development programs relevant to gynecological diseases. https://orwh.od.nih.gov/research/funded-research-and-programs/funding-opportunities-and-notices
Professional Society-Based Grants
Professional societies provide some of the most accessible funding opportunities:
- The Society for Reproductive Investigation (SRI) offers research and training grants supporting clinician-investigators across reproductive and gynecologic health. These grants are particularly useful for pilot studies and early-stage research. https://www.sri-online.org/awards-grants
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Foundation provides clinical research grants supporting projects aimed at improving gynecologic care and patient outcomes. https://www.acog.org/giving/grants/request-for-proposals
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) provides multiple annual research grants and investigator awards supporting clinical and translational research in reproductive surgery, endometriosis, infertility, and benign gynecologic disease. Research Priorities – ASRM Research Institute
Foundation and Philanthropic Funding
Private foundations offer additional funding opportunities, particularly for pilot clinical studies and early-stage investigator-initiated research.
- Nuttall Women’s Health provides research funding supporting clinical and translational studies aimed at improving diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes in benign gynecologic disease, with a focus on accelerating innovation in women’s health. https://www.nuttallwomenshealth.org/
- Endometriosis Foundation of America offers research grants supporting innovative clinical and translational studies aimed at improving understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of endometriosis. https://www.endofound.org/research-grants
- Foundation for Women’s Health funds clinical and translational research projects addressing unmet needs across gynecology and women’s health, including benign gynecologic conditions. https://www.foundationforwomenshealth.org/research
- Pivotal Ventures and Wellcome Leap Women’s Health Initiative: a major philanthropic initiative led by Melinda French Gates and Wellcome Leap is investing $100 million to accelerate research in women’s health. This initiative focuses on high-impact research addressing diseases disproportionately affecting women and supports breakthrough clinical and translational research. https://www.wellcomeleap.org
These grants are often more flexible and can support early clinical investigations that lead to larger federally funded studies.
Multiple funding pathways are now available to support research in complex benign gynecology. NIH programs remain the primary source of large-scale funding, professional societies, and foundations provide critical support for early-stage and translational research. These opportunities enable AAGL members to lead clinical investigation and advance evidence-based care.
