The American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) sponsors a variety of research grants, both independently and in collaboration with the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. All grant applications are reviewed through the Academy’s Centralized Otolaryngologic Research Evaluation (CORE) process.

2026 Grant Applications are now OPEN!

For additional details and application instructions, please visit the American Academy of Otolaryngology CORE page. 

Guidelines

1. AHNS/AAO-HNSF Translational Innovator Award – Applicants must have completed residency or fellowship training no longer than seven (7) years prior to submitting an application. This award supports contemporary basic or clinical research focused on neoplastic disease by full-time academic head and neck surgeons, promoting novel translational research, preferably with biomarker ideas. Eligible applicants are otolaryngologist–head and neck surgeons who are active members of the AAO-HNS, or surgeons currently in or who have completed a head and neck fellowship and are active or candidate members of the AHNS; medical and radiation oncologists are not eligible. The award provides up to $100,000 over two non-renewable years ($40,000 in year 1 and $60,000 in year 2 – AHNS). One award is available per year.
2. AHNS/AAO-HNSF Young Investigator Research Development Award – Supported in honor and remembrance of Duane M. Sewell, MD, this award fosters the development of basic or clinical research skills focused on head and neck neoplastic disease among new full-time academic head and neck surgeons. Applicants must be either otolaryngologist–head and neck surgeons who are active members of the AAO-HNS, or surgeons currently in or who have completed a head and neck surgery fellowship and are active or candidate members of the AHNS. Candidates must be within four years of completing residency or fellowship training and demonstrate strong potential for academic research careers. Medical and radiation oncologists are not eligible. The award provides up to $50,000 over two non-renewable years ($20,000 in year 1, $30,000 in year 2 – AHNS). One award is available per year.
3. AHNS Alando J. Ballantyne Resident Research Pilot Grant – This award supports basic, translational, or clinical research projects in head and neck oncology, with priority given to innovative projects that may develop into long-term research programs. Applicants must reside in the U.S. or Canada and be medical students, residents, fellows, graduate students, PhDs, or faculty at the rank of associate professor or below. All applicants must be AHNS members in good standing; trainees are expected to have appropriate faculty support and mentorship. Previous AHNS or AAO-HNSF research grant recipients are eligible to apply, but applicants with private or federal funding for the same project are not. The grant provides up to $20,000 in total costs for one non-renewable year. One award is available per year.
4. AHNS Trainee Pilot Research Award – This award supports basic, translational, or clinical research projects in head and neck oncology, with an emphasis on studies related to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, outcomes, or pathophysiology of head and neck neoplastic disease. It is meant to encourage trainees to become active in research within the field of head and neck surgery. Applicants must reside in the U.S. or Canada and be medical students, residents, fellows, or graduate students who are AHNS members in good standing. Trainee applicants are expected to have appropriate faculty support and mentorship. Previous AHNS or AAO-HNSF research grant recipients are eligible, but applicants who have already received private or federal funding for the same project are not. Research should be designed to yield useful information within the award period and may introduce new knowledge or collaborative approaches. Letters of support from the applicant’s department chair and research mentor are required. The award provides up to $20,000 for one non-renewable year. One award is available per year.
5. AHNS Pilot Grant – This award supports basic, translational, or clinical research projects in head and neck oncology, with an emphasis on studies related to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, outcomes, or pathophysiology of head and neck neoplastic disease. Applicants must reside in the U.S. or Canada and be medical students, residents, or M.D. faculty members at the rank of associate professor or below, and be AHNS members in good standing. Previous AHNS or AAO-HNSF research grant recipients are eligible, but applicants who have already received private or federal funding for the same project are not. Research should be designed to yield useful information within the award period and may introduce new knowledge or collaborative approaches. The award provides up to $20,000 for one non-renewable year. One award is available per year.
6. AHNS Presidential Award: Novel Therapeutic Targets and Combinations in Head and Neck Cancer – This award supports research projects aimed at identifying novel therapeutic targets and rational combinations in head and neck cancer, with a translational focus. Proposed studies may utilize genomics, immune profiling, mechanistic approaches, human tissues, or animal models. Applicants must reside in the U.S. or Canada and be medical students, residents, fellows, graduate students, PhDs, or faculty at the rank of associate professor or below, and must be AHNS members in good standing. Trainee applicants are expected to have appropriate faculty support and mentorship. Previous AHNS or AAO-HNSF research grant recipients are eligible, but applicants who have already received private or federal funding for the same project are not. Research should be designed to yield useful information within the award period and may involve collaborative efforts with related disciplines. Letters of support from the candidate’s department chair and research mentor are required. The award provides up to $15,000. One award is available per year.
7. AHNS Presidential Award: Defining and Implementing Value-Based Care in Head and Neck Cancer – This award supports research projects aimed at improving value-based care in head and neck cancer, including quality, process, and outcome measures to enhance patient care, reduce costs, and promote data-driven, evidence-based treatment approaches. Applicants must reside in the U.S. or Canada and be medical students, residents, fellows, graduate students, PhDs, or faculty at the rank of associate professor or below, and must be AHNS members in good standing. Trainee applicants are expected to have appropriate faculty support and mentorship. Previous AHNS or AAO-HNSF research grant recipients are eligible, but applicants who have already received private or federal funding for the same project are not. Projects should be designed to yield useful information within the award period and may involve collaborative efforts with related disciplines. Letters of support from the candidate’s department chair and research mentor are required. The award provides up to $15,000. One award is available per year.
8. AHNS Presidential Award: Integrating Emerging Technologies for Head and Neck Cancer Translational Clinical and Epidemiologic Research – This award supports innovative, multidisciplinary research that integrates emerging technologies with translational clinical and epidemiologic studies in head and neck cancer. Projects may incorporate single-cell and spatial multi-omics, AI-enabled digital pathology, advanced imaging, wearable/remote monitoring devices, and real-time data integration platforms to generate novel insights or enable practical applications for early detection, risk prediction, or treatment response. Applicants must reside in the U.S. or Canada and be medical students, residents, fellows, graduate students, PhDs, or faculty at the rank of associate professor or below, and must be AHNS members in good standing. Trainee applicants are expected to have appropriate faculty support and mentorship. Previous AHNS or AAO-HNSF research grant recipients are eligible, but applicants who have already received private or federal funding for the same project are not. Projects should be designed to yield useful information within the award period and may involve collaborative efforts with related disciplines. Letters of support from the candidate’s department chair and research mentor are required. The award provides up to $15,000. One award is available per year.
9. AHNS Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association Award for Thyroid Cancer Research Grant -This award supports basic, translational, or clinical research projects that advance the mission of the AHNS Endocrine Surgery Section, with a focus on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, outcomes, or pathophysiology of thyroid cancer. Applicants must reside in the U.S. or Canada and be AHNS members in good standing, including medical students in otolaryngology, otolaryngology residents, PhDs, or faculty. Preference is given to early-stage investigators (within 10 years of terminal degree or fellowship) or experienced researchers pursuing a new line of inquiry. Previous AHNS or AAO-HNSF research grant recipients are eligible, but applicants who have already received private or federal funding for the same project are not. Research should be designed to yield useful information within the award period and may involve collaborative efforts with related disciplines. Letters of support from the candidate’s department chair and research mentor are required. The award provides up to $10,000. One award is available per year.