Program Officer Events

SAEM25 in Philadelphia will host two Program Officer Events!

The Federal Funding Playbook: Strategies from Successfully Funded Emergency Medicine Researchers (Research Committee-Sponsored)

Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | 2:00 PM - 2:50 PM

Federal funding grant application processes such as those through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have become highly competitive, making early preparation crucial for early investigators. Understanding the administrative and procedural steps for applying for federal funding can greatly enhance success. Program officers (POs) are key players in the funding ecosystem, serving as facilitators and mentors by helping to demystify the process and offering practical advice on which institute would be most appropriate for your grant. Due to recent changes at the NIH that prevent their employees from participating this year, SAEM has invited experienced emergency medicine researchers with funding from institutes such as the NIH, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and more to share insights typically provided by program officers. A guided question-and-answer session moderated by an expert will follow, offering ample time for open discussion.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the different NIH institutes and study sections.
• Explain how to contact and communicate with POs.
• Map out the timeline for different grants (K, U, R).
• Describe how funded research fits into academic emergency medicine career trajectory.

Facilitated Roundtable Discussions with Federally Funded Investigators (Research Committee-Sponsored)

Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | 3:00 PM - 3:50 PM

Emergency medicine receives limited federal funding despite growth in research. This session offers a low-stress, small-group environment to discuss research ideas in the context of federal funding opportunities. Experienced emergency medicine researchers with support from agencies like NIH and AHRQ will provide insights into funding priorities and the grant process, while addressing questions about identifying appropriate agencies, interacting with program officers, and submitting proposals.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this session, participants should be able to:

• Discuss the process and determinants of federal funding success in an intimate small-group setting.
• Analyze the experiences of emergency medicine investigators at various stages of the grant process.
• Establish professional connections with federally funded investigators.