ASRM Rescuing Research Grant

ASRM Rescuing Research Grant

The ASRM Research Institute invites submissions for the “Rescuing Research” Discovery & Innovation Grant. The purpose of this grant cycle is to identify and support innovative reproductive health research projects that have lost or are ineligible for federal funding, due to recent changes in administrative priorities, yet remain critical to advancing scientific knowledge and improving patient care. Through this funding opportunity, we seek to bridge the gap for investigators whose work addresses urgent needs in fertility, contraception, maternal health, reproductive cancers, and related areas. By providing resources to sustain and advance these studies, we aim to 1) ensure that promising research continues to generate evidence, 2) inform policy, and 3) drive equitable access to reproductive health services.

Applicants

Investigators, meeting eligibility, with expertise in reproductive health and science including endocrinology, biology, urology, epidemiology, embryology, and andrology are encouraged to apply. Eligible applicants include:

  • Physicians or scientists with track records in basic, clinical, or translational research in reproductive medicine are encouraged to apply.  
  • Investigators should have a doctorate degree (MD, MD/PhD, PhD, ScD or equivalent) and have sufficient expertise, commitment of effort, organizational structure, and operational effectiveness to successfully implement the plan for the proposed research.
  • Be an independent investigator serving as a full-time clinician, research scientist, or physician scientist (academic, private practice, other non-profit or for-profit organizations).

Principal investigators responding to this RFP are encouraged to coordinate their submission with others applying to this initiative if their individual projects are complementary. Even though each submission will be reviewed independently, meritorious applications that score high and appear to be related in scope and complementarity are going to be given preference for funding. Applicants are encouraged to highlight such potential interactions between projects in their applications.

Applicants need not be ASRM members at the time of the application but will be required to become members prior to the initiation and throughout the duration of funding. Awardees must maintain active membership until the project is completed and has been presented at an ASRM Annual Scientific Congress.

Award Budget

ASRM will award grants up to $125,000 for a One (1) year study period. Funds will be released in two (2) installments of $62,500- the first at the start of the study period and the second after the submission, and approval, of the interim progress report.

Application

An application must include the following information in order as described below. Additionally, all letters must be included in your application package and cannot be sent separately or post application deadline. Please note: Letters outside the required department/division head letters are not required but you may submit up to 2 additional letters of support from collaborators/key personnel.

  1. Title page
    1. Title of the project (not to exceed 200 characters including spaces)
    2. Applicant’s name, credentials, contact information including mailing address, telephone number and email
    3. Department affiliation and sponsoring institution
    4. Total funding amount requested
  2. Letters
    1. Department/Division Head letter (no more than two pages) acknowledging the applicant’s project and grant proposal, endorsing the applicant’s research, and confirming the institution’s commitment to provide time and support to the applicant.
  3. Impact Statement (250 words maximum) 
    1. Discuss how you, your research, and/or your lab have been impacted by the new administration’s recent shift in research priorities.
  4. Abstract (One page maximum)
    1. Scientific Abstract (500 words) describing the research proposal including the potential immediate impact of the anticipated results on the practice of reproductive medicine.
    2. Lay-person Abstract (200 words) describing the project in general terms
  5. Specific Aims of the research proposal presented in NIH format– (One page maximum).
  6. Research proposal (Five pages maximum)
    1. Background and Significance
    2. Innovation and Potential Impact
    3. Research Plan (methodology and statistical analysis plan must be clearly described)
    4. Timeline for project-start-up, implementation, and completion
    5. References/citations are required but will not count against the total number of pages for the application. You may also include them as an appendix.
  7. NIH-style Biosketch
    A biosketch for each primary or co-investigator should be provided. Each Biosketch should include a specific description of the role of each investigator in the proposed project and should not exceed THREE pages (including the current funding).
  8. Budget
    1. A detailed budget and budget justification for the project.
    2. No clinical care costs will be covered by this funding opportunity.
    3. Funds are available for project expenses, technical assistance, patient expenses, research supplies and durable laboratory equipment, analysis software, national registries, survey licenses, etc.
    4. Funds may not be used toward degree-seeking courses.
    5. Indirect costs to the sponsoring institution, conference travel and/or registration expenses, investigator’s salary and/or benefits are allowed but must not exceed 10% of the grant distribution.
    6. Special requests for budgetary items may be submitted in writing prior to grant submission to research@asrm.org. If approved, you will receive an email that must be included in your grant application.
  9. Formatting
    1. The proposal must be typed in Calibri 12 pt. type with page margins of no less than .5 inches and no more than 1 inch.
    2. Pagination should be included at the bottom of each page (excluding the Title page).
    3. The entire application must be submitted as ONE PDF FILE to research@asrm.org Subject Line: Rescuing Research Grant by 4pm EST on October 10th, 2025.
  10. Regulatory requirements
    Human and/or animal use must be approved by the Institutional Review Board or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, or their equivalent and documented before funds are released, but pre-approval is not required for application.

Progress Reports

Annual progress and financial reports are required and should be sent to research@asrm.org. ASRM Research Institute will review and provide confirmation of progress report acceptance via email. Continued funding will depend on demonstrated progress and productivity as well as compliance with progress report timelines and any regulatory requirements. Final progress and financial report are required and should be submitted to ASRM within 90 days of project completion.