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 230 projects, contributing more than $24 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) – $250,000
2026 Grant Cycle Now Open
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 $250,000 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 Now Closed
Travel grant awards are available ranging from $1,000 and up to $5,000 for abstract presenters to attend the Annual Meeting, presented by IARS and SOCCA. 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.
IARS Global Scholars Award – up to $20,000
The Global Scholars Award (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.
“It opened doors professionally and provided upward career movement that would have not been possible without the support of the IARS. I secured a competitive, tenure-track appointment with a start-up package to fully develop my research program, at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. Additionally, I have been able to establish essential national and international collaborations through invited talks and conferences that have pushed my research program forward and helped to develop competitive NIH R01 applications (individual applications and multi-PI applications).”
– 2017 IARS Mentored Research Award Recipient Jessica Bowser, PhD
“The [IMRA] provided me early credibility in my field. Given the prestige and size of the award, I believe strongly that this award helped me gain further awards in the subsequent years. Furthermore, the award provided me with critically important funding during the earliest stage of my lab, when it was needed most.”
– 2018 IARS Mentored Research Award Recipient Neil Goldenberg, MD, PhD
“This [IARS Mentored Research Award] (IMRA) will help me generate the preliminary data needed to support larger studies aimed at understanding molecular circadian rhythms in relation to perioperative outcomes such as delirium. These studies will undoubtedly lead to more intriguing scientific questions that I look forward to tackling.”
– 2021 IARS Mentored Research Award Recipient Kendall Smith, MD, PhD
International Anesthesia Research Society
GuideStar/Candid