The Ali and Danielle Raja RAMS Medical Student Research Grant

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The application period for this grant closes each year in August.

This document provides an overview of this grant. For complete instructions on applying, please see the Detailed Instructions. For submission instructions and SAEMF policies, visit How To Apply. For answers to other common questions, visit our Grants FAQ or email grants@saem.org.

 

Introducing A New Research Grant and Leadership Development Opportunity for Medical Students

SAEMF is grateful to Ali and Danielle Raja for their visionary gift that has made it possible to offer this grant and scholarship for a period of 10 grant cycles (2025-2034).

Purpose of the Award

This special Ali and Danielle Raja RAMS Medical Student research grant was created to encourage more medical students from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in academic EM research. It funds the work of one medical student investigator each year. Applicants will be selected based upon the strength of their applications.

The Ali and Danielle Raja RAMS Medical Student Research Grant provides $2,500 (medical student) over a one-year period starting July 1 to foster interest in emergency medicine research among medical students. The focus is on self-limited research projects that are impactful in the current or future practice of emergency medicine and can be completed in a one-year time frame. This may include educational research projects. A preference will be given to projects that address research questions related to emergency department (ED) operations, or, ED administration; or, health equity; or, social determinants of health (SDoH); or diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in emergency medicine (EM). Trainees must identify a faculty research mentor to guide them through the application and research process. The goals of the grant should align with the mission of SAEMF to improve the emergency care of patients and help emergency physicians develop the skills to become successful investigators.

Expectations of the Award

The Ali and Danielle Raja RAMS Medical Student Research Grant awardee is expected to:

  1. Attend the SAEM Annual Meeting during the award year. See scholarship section for details.
  2. Submit interim and final progress reports in accordance with SAEMF instructions.
  3. Submit an abstract reporting the results of the research project for presentation at the SAEM Annual Meeting. As the selection of research abstracts is a competitive process, acceptance is not assured.
  4. Publish a manuscript (first-authored by the awardee) arising from the project in a peer-reviewed journal within two years of completing the award.
  5. Submit an article for inclusion in SAEM Pulse.
  6. Report back to their EMIG about their experience and SAEM/F resources.
  7. Disseminate project outcomes (e.g. presentation at SAEM regional meeting, publication in journal, etc.)
  8. Submit a progress Report to SAEMF.

Eligibility for the Award

An applicant for the Ali and Danielle Raja RAMS Medical Student Research Grant must:

  1. Be a member of SAEM in good standing at application deadline and during the entire award period.
  2. Be an emergency medicine medical student in good standing at an accredited medical school at the start of the award period.
  3. Not have previously received an SAEMF/RAMS Research Grant.

Applicants should check this website prior to submitting their applications as additional eligibility information will be published in May 2024.

Full Eligibility Criteria, Detailed Instructions, and Additional Information for SAEMF Grants can be found here.

Scholarship and SAEM Medical Student Ambassador Participation

The Raja family has provided additional support to encourage the recipient of this distinguished RAMS Medical Student Grant. A scholarship will be awarded to provide the career-shaping leadership development opportunity to participate in the SAEM Medical Student Ambassador (MSA) program for the SAEM’s Annual Meeting. The grantee will receive details about the program with the grant award notification. The scholarship is intended to help defray costs of participation in the SAEM MSA / Annual Meeting. The scholarship includes SAEM annual meeting registration, flight/travel, hotel, meal stipend, and ground transportation.

The Raja family also ensured that the grant recipient will receive a complimentary SAEM membership for the year the grant is awarded.

Updated June 4, 2024