Research is key for the anesthesiology specialty to successfully master the challenges of the future. IARS is pushing the ball with its Grants Program, supporting research and scientific advancement of the anesthesiology specialty. To date, the IARS has funded more than 225 projects, contributing more than $22 million to the anesthesia community.
“As anesthesiologists, it’s a challenge balancing between the clinical work and the research aspect of things. Having [the IARS Mentored Research Award] provides you with the necessary time to complete meaningful research.”
— Past Award Recipient
IARS Mentored Research Award (IMRA) – $175,000
This award is intended to support investigations that will further the understanding of clinical practice in anesthesiology and related sciences. Up to four research projects are selected annually, with a maximum award of $175,000 each, payable over two years. These grants help create future leaders and prepare applicants to apply for independent research funding.
IARS International Outreach Travel Grant – up to $5,000
2026 Grant Cycle to Open August 2025; Submission Deadline: November 23, 2025
Travel grant awards are now available ranging from $1,000 and up to $5,000 for abstract presenters to attend the 2026 Annual Meeting, presented by IARS and SOCCA, May 1-3, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The IARS International Outreach Travel Grant supports scientists globally and will grow the richness and diversity of background, location and expertise at the IARS Annual Meeting. These IARS travel grants are designed specifically for individuals located in low-income, lower-middle-income, and upper-middle-income countries who are involved in research related to anesthesia. The IARS travel grants aim to make it possible for individuals, who would not otherwise be able to participate in the meeting, to access the wider global anesthesiology community through meaningful engagement at our leading-edge annual meeting.
Coming this year! IARS Global Scholars Award
New funding opportunity coming soon from IARS – The Global Scholars Award (GSA)! GSA is a two-year, up to $20,000 award to support a global mentored research initiative with the goal of providing meaningful, sustainable research initiatives for the awardee and their institution. The focus of the initiative is to support a well-defined project in perioperative anesthesiology, such as an observational study, in low- and lower middle-income countries (LMICs I & II) while promoting research training and empowering emerging researchers to unlock their scientific potential!
- GSA is designed to foster innovation, creativity, and capacity building for an early career/young investigator interested in a career in academic research.
- Projects must have direct relevance to the practice of anesthesiology.
- Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to research and the potential for leadership within their home country.
- Eligible Organizations must be located in low- and lower middle-income countries (LMICs I & II), as defined by The World Bank.
“The award [IMRA] itself is an immense step in career development and my journey towards sustained independent research funding. The data generated during the award period will be used in grant applications in the next steps in my trajectory.”
– 2022 IARS Mentored Research Award Recipient Katarina Ruscic, PhD, MD
“The [IMRA] was critical to obtaining a K08 and subsequently independent funding.”
– 2017 IARS Mentored Research Award Recipient Wayland Cheng, MD, PhD
“The outcome of this [IMRA-funded] project will provide novel insights into the interaction between lipids and TMEM16 scramblases, and contribute to the development of structure-based drug design of TMEM16 modulators, which may be useful for treating perioperative bleeding and neurological dysfunction.”
– 2020 IARS Mentored Research Award Recipient Yusuke Sugasawa, MD, PhD
“The award [IMRA] itself is an immense step in career development and my journey towards sustained independent research funding. The data generated during the award period will be used in grant applications in the next steps in my trajectory.”
– 2022 IARS Mentored Research Award Recipient Katarina Ruscic, PhD, MD
“The [IMRA] was critical to obtaining a K08 and subsequently independent funding.”
– 2017 IARS Mentored Research Award Recipient Wayland Cheng, MD, PhD
“The outcome of this [IMRA-funded] project will provide novel insights into the interaction between lipids and TMEM16 scramblases, and contribute to the development of structure-based drug design of TMEM16 modulators, which may be useful for treating perioperative bleeding and neurological dysfunction.”
– 2020 IARS Mentored Research Award Recipient Yusuke Sugasawa, MD, PhD
International Anesthesia Research Society
GuideStar/Candid