Advancing Anesthesia through Research & Grants

At IARS, we believe cutting-edge research is essential to improving patient care, shaping clinical practice and empowering the next generation of anesthesia leaders. We don’t just fund studies, we cultivate innovation, mentorship and scientific excellence around the globe.

Why Research Matters

Tackle critical questions.

We support projects that explore new frontiers in perioperative medicine, critical care, pain management, and beyond, enabling discoveries that drive innovation and address critical, unanswered questions.
Bridge basic science and clinical care.

Our investments help translate findings in the lab into safer, more effective patient care.
Build capacity and leadership.

We are committed to helping early-career researchers grow, providing educational support, funding, recognition and platforms to advance the science and practice of anesthesiology globally.

IARS Mentored Research Award: Creating Future Research Leaders

The IARS Mentored Research Awards (IMRA) have impacted the careers of 48 promising investigators in the specialty of anesthesiology and beyond, creating future leaders. From 2013 to the present, new researchers continue to benefit from this opportunity each year, receiving a maximum award of $175,000 each. View this video to hear some of their stories. Learn more.

IARS Mentored Research Award: Creating Future Research Leaders

Research, Grant & Awards Programs

Here are IARS’s key grants and awards that make it all possible:

Program

What It Offers

Ideal For…

Anesthesia Research Council (ARC)

A multi-year, collaborative program that sets research focus areas, enables working groups to define questions, and produces authoritative reviews and recommendations.

Those interested in policy, practice guidelines and collaborative multi-center efforts.

Emery N. Brown Early-Career Award

The award recognizes emerging leaders whose work embodies curiosity, rigor, and measurable impact in anesthesiology and provides travel support to attend and be acknowledged at the IARS Annual Meeting.

Early-career/young investigator/junior faculty within the first five years of their initial post-training professional appointment.

Global Scholars Award

Funding and support aimed at researchers in low- and lower-middle-income countries (LMICs) who believe in the power of academic research to drive medical advances and patient care.

Early career/young investigator/junior faculty researchers with passion, in resource-limited settings, who need support to realize ideas.

IARS Mentored Research Award (IMRA)

Offered annually it provides up to $250,000 to support promising researchers launching independent work.

Early-career investigators who are ready to lead substantial research and are within 10 years of completion of clinical training or a PhD.

International Outreach Travel Grant

Support for researchers in low-, lower-middle-, and upper-middle-income countries to attend IARS Annual Meeting, present abstracts, connect with peers, and gain global exposure.

Researchers located in LMIC or UMIC, especially early career or international, seeking to network and share work.

Kosaka Best Abstract Awards

Recognition & prizes for top abstracts in Clinical Research, Basic Science, and Scholars categories. Finalists present at the Annual Meeting.

Authors of outstanding abstracts gain visibility and prestige.

Volunteer of the Year Award

Recognizes individuals who have significantly advanced the mission, programs, and global community of IARS through exemplary volunteer service.

IARS volunteers whose leadership, dedication, and passion make a lasting impact on the Society and the global anesthesiology community.

Program

What It Offers

Ideal For…

Anesthesia Research Council (ARC)

A multi-year, collaborative program that sets research focus areas, enables working groups to define questions, and produces authoritative reviews and recommenda-tions.

Those interested in policy, practice guidelines and collaborative multi-center efforts.

Emery N. Brown Early-Career Award

Early-career/ young investigator/ junior faculty within the first five years of their initial post-training professional appointment.

Global Scholars Award

Funding and support aimed at researchers in low- and lower-middle-income countries (LMICs) who believe in the power of academic research to drive medical advances and patient care.

Early career/young investigator/ junior faculty researchers with passion, in resource-limited settings, who need support to realize ideas.

IARS Mentored Research Award (IMRA)

Offered annually it provides up to $250,000 to support promising researchers launching independent work.

Early-career investigators who are ready to lead substantial research and are within 10 years of completion of clinical training or a PhD.

International Outreach Travel Grant

Support for researchers in low-, lower-middle-, and upper-middle-income countries to attend IARS Annual Meeting, present abstracts, connect with peers, and gain global exposure.

Researchers located in LMIC or UMIC, especially early career or international, seeking to network and share work.

Kosaka Best Abstract Awards

Recognition & prizes for top abstracts in Clinical Research, Basic Science, and Scholars categories. Finalists present at the Annual Meeting.

Authors of outstanding abstracts gain visibility and prestige.

Volunteer of the Year Award

Recognizes individuals who have significantly advanced the mission, programs, and global community of IARS through exemplary volunteer service.

IARS volunteers whose leadership, dedication, and passion make a lasting impact on the Society and the global anesthesiology community.

How You Can Apply

Explore Current Grant & Award Opportunities

Check the latest calls for applications, notices, and deadlines. IARS may release new offerings each year.
Prepare a Strong Application
- Frame a clear research question.
- Demonstrate feasibility & impact.
- If applicable, include plans for collaboration or global relevance.
Submit Your Abstracts

For opportunities like the Kosaka Best Abstracts, ensure your abstract meets the criteria and deadlines for submission to the Annual Meeting.
Leverage ORCID

Use your ORCID iD in applications to ensure your work is properly attributed and visible.
Support Future Researchers

Consider donating, partnering, or mentoring. Your contributions help seed new ideas and sustain the research pipeline.

Stories of Impact

“The IMRA has been key for my development! Along with generous support from my Department and Chair (Dr. Michael Gropper), the IMRA has allowed me ample protected time for research efforts – including three clinical trials for which I’ve been fortunate to serve as PI or Co-PI. I’ve learned to direct a translational research team, including research coordinators and laboratory staff. Finally, thanks to the IMRA, I’ve been able to complete coursework in statistics and computational methods to make me a better all-around physician-scientist.”
– 2020 IARS Mentored Research Award Recipient Michael Bokoch, MD, PhD

“[The IMRA] definitely helped me get promoted. I have a healthy appreciation for ALL researchers, having worked in a lab for many years. Grant cycles are brutal! Clinician-scientists have the added burden of trying to straddle the two worlds of research and clinical medicine.”
– 2015 IARS Mentored Research Award Recipient Erica P. Lin, MD

“This award [IMRA] will help establish my research program and laboratory at the University of Vermont and provide a strong foundation for becoming an independent physician-scientist. It will also help build my network of mentors and collaborators.”– 2022 IARS Mentored Research Award Recipient William Tharp, MD, PhD