Newsletter
Early Career PM&R Diplomates: Apply to be an ABMS Scholar
Are you looking to enhance your leadership and research skills?
• Consult with research and data science subject matter experts
• Learn from national thought leaders in medical education, certification, and health policy
• Build a professional network of colleagues across the certification community
• Participate in ABMS community meetings, events, and professional health care forums
• Engage with research dissemination strategists across the certification community
The American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR) Foundation has committed to sponsoring an ABMS (American Board of Medical Specialties) Scholar for the 2026-2027 academic year. The ABMS Scholar Program™ supports the research of early-career physicians and research professionals and facilitates leadership development through engagement with ABMS and the broader certification community.
Research priorities of the ABMS certification community include:
• Quality and Safety Concerns in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Health Equity Topics for People with Disabilities
• Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Possible areas: tracking progress through residency, self-assessment exam, use of Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) to measure achievement of competencies in residency
• Professionalism assessments as part of continuing certification, positive professionalism
• Pediatric Rehabilitation exposure in medical school and residency
During the year-long program, the Scholars remain at their home institutions and work with self-selected mentors. They participate in monthly webinars where they provide research project updates to their peers, a select panel of subject matter experts, and Scholar alumni who provide guidance, support, and feedback to barriers they may be experiencing in their research work. You also have the opportunity to attend in-person leadership meetings and present your research findings before a national audience at the ABMS Conference.
Eligibility
Early-career physicians, junior faculty, fellows, and residents are eligible, as well as individuals holding master or doctorate degrees in public health, health services research, educational evaluation and statistics, public health policy and administration, and Veterans Affairs trainees and researchers.
Applying
Your project can be ongoing or launching and may build on one at your home institution. A research mentor must be selected. An award of $15,000 is provided to support the direct costs of research and travel expenses associated with program participation.
Applications for the 2026-2027 are now open! Visit the ABMS website for more details.
Interested but want more information? There will be a free educational webinar on April 28, 2026 at 5:00pm CST. Register here.
