The Plastic Surgery Foundation
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  1. Research & Grants
  2. Grants Program

Combined Pilot Research Grants

Purpose

The PSF, along with the AAHS, AAPS, ACEPS, ASMS, ASPN, ASRM, CSPS and PSRC, recognizes the importance of promoting innovative research in hand surgery, academic plastic surgery related to research, peripheral nerve research, microsurgery and stimulating fundamental research in plastic surgery. Together, these subspecialty 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.

Testimonials

"The support from The PSF has been a tremendous icebreaker for our plastic surgery run burn center to start tackling big questions surrounding decisional regret and satisfaction with scar surgery. We are very grateful for The PSF to energize our research team and help our patients."

Clifford Sheckter, MD
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
2023 AAPS/PSF Combined Pilot Research Grant Recipient

"I am grateful to The PSF for their support for an innovative basic science project studying lymphatic function. This grant allowed for the groundwork to be laid for a long line of research in this area and also a platform for mentoring residents and students in numerous projects. We are hopeful that this may ultimately lead to a greater understanding of a complex and poorly understood area in plastic surgery."

Carolyn De La Cruz, MD
University of Pittsburgh
2023 ASRM/PSF Combined Pilot Research Grant Recipient

"The PSF Research Grant Award has allowed me to conduct a randomized controlled clinical trial as a new investigator. Without it, I would not have been able to have funding to perform the study. Coming from a smaller institution, I do not have the funding resources many do at other programs. Larger grants were not attainable without prior grant funding. The PSF Research Grant Award provided me the start to a career in academic medicine. I can't thank The PSF enough for the funding and more importantly, the financial opportunity to perform quality research as a new investigator."

Kevin Klifto, DO, PharmD
University of Missouri
2023 AAHS/PSF Combined Pilot Research Grant Recipient

Amount & Duration

Up to $15,000 for 1-year pilot projects

Download Guidelines

Apply

The 2025 PSF research grant cycle is NOW OPEN.

Online Application

The application deadline is December 2, 2025.

Resources