The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Board of Regents Taskforce on Racial Issues is pleased to announce a matching grant program focused on funding innovative and impactful research projects and programs dealing with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and anti-racism issues. The ACS intends to catalyze efforts of professional societies, academic departments of surgery, and surgeons in all surgical specialties toward the goal of advancing anti-racism, DEI, and gender equity in the field of surgery. Applications are due by September 1, 2021.
The ACS Taskforce on Racial Issues is soliciting innovative proposals and programs that will improve the diversity and gender balance of our surgical workforce and its cultural competency, enrich the pipeline of underrepresented in medicine surgeons, and reduce disparities in the delivery of health care, particularly in the equitable management of surgically related diseases. The ACS Taskforce on Racial Issues encourages the submission of innovative anti-racism DEI programs that can be used as templates for wide dissemination throughout the College’s reach.
Grant details
This request for application is open to all surgical professional societies, departments of surgery, or group practices. The ACS Taskforce on Racial Issues will award eight grants—four $25,000 grants and four $50,000 grants—for one year, with an identical amount matched by the society, department, or practice (entity).
Any Fellow in good standing of the ACS may apply as the principal investigator or project lead on the grant application.
Application information
Interested applicants must submit a two-to-three-page description of the project, including the following:
- Project title
- Name of the principal investigator or project lead
- Sponsoring entity
- Specific project, aims, methodology, and anticipated outcomes to effect DEI/anti-racism
- Project plan
- Budget
In addition, a support letter from the sponsoring entity’s leadership committing to matching funds and a letter of intent from the project lead must accompany the application letter. The project lead and the entity should include a statement in their respective letters that they each grant the ACS the right to disseminate their program within its reach.
Apply online at apps.facs.org/scholarship/home/indexdom (member login required). The selection committee reserves the right to review potentially overlapping awards and adjust its award accordingly.
Only one application per surgical department, society, organization, or practice group will be accepted.
Reporting requirements
A written report describing the accomplishments and impact of the project during the funding year is required at the conclusion of the project.
