SARP Mini-Grant Application AY2025–2026

Goal

The PLFSOM Scholarly Activity and Research Program (SARP) is a component of the M.D. program whereby all medical students are required to engage in scholarly activity under the direction of a faculty mentor.

This competitive annual funding mechanism provides financial support for SARP projects undertaken by students mentored by PLFSOM faculty. Awards are for one year.

Eligibility

To be eligible to receive a SARP Mini-Grant:

  • The applicant must be a faculty member of the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine.
  • Faculty members must be mentoring a medical student for a SARP project. Student mentees must have identified the Mini-Grant applicant as their SARP faculty mentor, as indicated on the student’s submitted SARP Project Plan.

Funding Information

The maximum grant request is up to $8,500 per grant per year. The amount awarded may be less than the amount requested based on reviewers’ recommendations.

Allowable Expenditures

  • Materials and supplies directly related to the project
  • Fee-related research support
  • Participant incentives, such as gift cards
  • Other services required to perform the research, if specified

Prohibited Expenditures

  • Travel
  • Stipends or supplemental income for faculty, staff, or students
  • Presentation materials, such as posters
  • Publication fees

Application

  • The SARP Mini-Grant application deadline is May 8, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time.
  • Applicants must complete all indicated fields. Please pay particular attention to providing a concise overview of the project for which funds are requested, an itemization of all costs, and a justification for each budget line item.
  • All required sections and fields must be completed. Incomplete or incorrectly completed applications will be administratively rejected.
  • The faculty mentor is responsible for submitting the SARP Mini-Grant application.
  • Mentors may submit up to two Mini-Grant applications per funding cycle.
  • Any required institutional approvals, including IRB, IBC, and/or IACUC approvals, must be approved and on record before funding is awarded.

Submission Method

The SARP Mini-Grant application must be submitted through REDCap.

Submit the SARP Mini-Grant Application in REDCap

Review Process

  • Applications received by the deadline that meet the eligibility criteria will be reviewed by a committee of faculty members drawn from diverse PLFSOM departments.
  • The SARP Faculty Co-Directors will facilitate the review but will not vote on the ranking of applications.
  • Mini-grant applications submitted by SARP Faculty Co-Directors will undergo evaluation by a separate committee. The SARP Administrative Director will facilitate the review.

Reporting

Research Performance Progress Reports are due annually. The reporting period is mid-January. Information about the content of the report and instructions for submission will be sent to principal investigators two months before the January deadline.

A Final Performance Progress Report is required for the grant. The final report is due in June, at the completion of the project or at the end of the funding period. Information about the content of the report and instructions for submission will be sent to principal investigators two months before the June deadline.

Recipient Commitment: Supporting Future SARP Reviews

By accepting the SARP Mini-Grant award, recipients agree to participate in the review process for future student submissions, including Project Plans, Final Reports, Posters, and application reviews. This involvement helps maintain the quality and integrity of the program while supporting the next cohort of students in their research endeavors.

Questions

For additional questions, email SARP-ELP@ttuhsc.edu.