The PSF Research Grant and Fellowship Programs

Through its three main funding programs, The PSF supports investigators from the beginning of their careers, during residency on up to well-established plastic surgeons.

Combined Pilot Research Grants

The PSF, along with the AAHS, ACAPS, ASPN and ASRM, recognize the importance of promoting innovative research in reconstructive microsurgery, peripheral nerve and hand surgery. Together, these organizations are dedicated to fostering the development of surgeon scientists and are committed to increasing the amount of research dollars, in order to fund pilot research studies that set the stage for investigators to apply to larger funding agencies.
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Pilot Research Grant

The Pilot Research Grant (PRG) is designed to promote advancement and innovation in plastic surgery. These grants provide "seed" funding and allow researchers to conduct preliminary studies, related to plastic surgery science; they also set the stage for investigators to apply for external funding sources.
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National Endowment for Plastic Surgery Grant

The National Endowment for Plastic Surgery Grant (NEPS) is designed to support projects that address clinically relevant, immediate issues facing the practice of plastic surgery.  Applications must address a topic of importance to the current clinical practice of plastic surgery.
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Research Fellowship Grants

The purpose of the Research Fellowship Grants (RF) is to encourage research and academic career development in plastic surgery. The research fellowship is intended to provide supplement salary support during a mentored research experience.
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The PSF/MTF Dermal Tissue Grant

Beginning in 2013, the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation and The PSF will offer research grants to investigators studying dermal allograft tissue transplantation.
Learn more about The PSF/MTF Dermal Tissue Grant ...

Grant Topics Evaluated in 2012

In 2012, grant applications requested a total over $2.5 million dollars. The PSF Study Section subcommittees of Basic & Translational Research and Clinical Research evaluated 133 grant applications in the following topics:

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High Priority Research Areas

The PSF has identified the following high-priority research areas in plastic surgery:

  • Allogeneic transplantation approaches in tissue engineering (regenerative medicine)
  • Stem and progenitor cells (therapeutic realities)
  • The use of allograft biologics in breast reconstruction
  • Fat grafting and adipose matrices
  • Allograft dermis/epidermis for wound healing
  • Composite tissue allotransplantation (CTA)
  • Safety and outcomes studies
  • Acellular dermis investigations
  • Comparative effectiveness/cost studies