The goal of the SRSF Mentored Collaboration Grant is to provide current early-stage sleep/circadian researchers who wish to expand or pivot their current sleep/circadian training with rich, face-to-face opportunities in state-of-the-art research techniques and methods unavailable at their current institution. The mentor-mentee relationship should also extend beyond the face-to-face portion and, as appropriate, include mentorship via ongoing phone or web-based meetings over the course of the funded year. The expectation is that all mentor-mentee pairs develop a research product such as an abstract for the SLEEP Meeting, manuscript, and/or grant proposal. This collaboration may be in the United States or abroad as long as both participants are active SRS Members.
Scope of Support
The program is intended to grow the field of sleep researchers by offering support for training and mentorship to investigators at an early stage in their career. Up to two awards of ≤$3,500 each will be given annually for travel-related expenses. Fewer awards may be given depending on available funds and quality of applications. It is understood that the mentor will participate at no cost to this program. All early-stage investigators are eligible to apply, including graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, interns, residents, and assistant professors (or similar career stages). Individuals from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
Duration
The duration of the award is one year including a minimum one-week on-site visit with the Mentor, with expected continued contact via phone or video over the course of the funded year . At the end of the year, all awardees must submit a final report that details whether training goals were met and progress toward collaborative research products (i.e., conference abstracts, grant proposals, and/or manuscripts).
Eligibility Checklist:
- Mentee and Mentor must be and remain active SRS Members in good standing.
- Mentee and Mentor must have an established agreement regarding the mentoring and project plans. A brief summary of interactions regarding the project must be included in the Mentorship Plan and Letter of Support.
- Mentee should be an SRS early career member who is (both criteria must be met):
- At a current training/career stage that includes from the post-graduate evel up to (and including) the Assistant Professor level (or equivalent) as of January 30, 2026. Potential applicants at a training/career stage lower than post-graduate or higher than Assistance Professor level (or equivalent) are not eligible for this award.Mentee should be within 10 years of having obtained a terminal degree (e.g., PhD, MD, DO) or earlier in their career stage as of the nomination deadline. If the mentee is beyond 10 years of having obtained a terminal degree, a description of circumstances facilitating eligibility (e.g., clinical training, maternity/paternity leave, or care of dependents) under which the mentee look time away from research within 10 years of obtaining their terminal degree should be included.
- Mentor letter, including plans for collaborative research products, as indicated on application and substantiation of fit.
- Mentee intent/plans, goals for research products, budget, as well as a statement of need for collaboration to be in person.
- A completed application.
- If applicable, the applicant must provide Visa documentation for travel to the intended mentor’s lab.
- Mentee final report at end of one year, describing progress toward research products in relation to the intent, plans, and goals stated in the application.
Application Deadline: Monday, March 2nd, 2026, at 11:59 pm (CT)
Recipients Notified: Friday, April 24, 2026 (CT)