
A Message from Research and Awards Committee Chair
Thank you for your interest in Research Grants and Awards for the AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerve!
Our funding opportunities are provided by the Honor Your Mentor (HYM) Funds established in the name of distinguished surgeons in our specialty with donations by our members and friends.
Inspired by the strong foundation of scholarship, leadership, innovation, and service from these surgeons, our awards aim to support research that advances the knowledge of our specialty to achieve the best outcomes for our patients.
The annual Spine Summit meeting culminates in recognition and award presentation for our honorees, with unique opportunities to interact with and receive mentorship from leaders in Spine and Peripheral Nerve surgery.
We look forward to receiving your applications for these Research Grants and Awards, and we welcome any questions you may have!
Kristen E. Jones MD, FAANS
Chair, Research and Awards Committee
kristen.jones@duke.edu

Past Chair, Research and Awards Committee, Explains the Exciting, New Investigator Program
The AANS/CNS spine section recognizes, acknowledges, and highlights the early challenges of transitioning from a resident/fellow to faculty. Often times spine surgeons early in their careers have unique clinical productivity pressures that directly compete with a dedicated research effort.
The new Spine Emerging Investigator Program is intended to provide structure for research planning, grant strategy, and mentorship. The goal of this new program is to facilitate and support faculty as they develop into independent investigators with a sustained research effort. We encourage all interested to apply.
Wilson “Zack” Ray, MD, PhD
Past Chair, Research and Awards Committee
Resident/Fellow Abstract Submission-Based Awards
(may only choose one of the following)
Submit abstract via Spine Summit abstract center.

Albert Scholar Award
Abstract presenting authors who are orthopedic surgery residents or clinical fellows
- DEADLINE: October 14, 2024
- FUNDING: $500
Awarded in honor of Todd Albert MD by the Todd Albert Honor Your Mentor Fund to support research presentations by Orthopedic Surgery residents and fellows at the Annual Meeting of the AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerve.
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Awarded to each of the thirty (30) top-scoring abstracts submitted to the annual Spine Summit meeting that are authored and presented by Orthopedic Surgery residents or fellows, in clinical or basic science research in spinal disorders, to support travel/attendance at the annual Spine Summit meeting.
Attendance at the Spine Summit meeting is mandatory. Award funds will be disbursed at the Young Surgeons’ Dinner at Spine Summit, during which award recipients will have the opportunity to interact with and receive mentorship from Spine Section surgeon-leaders.

Kuntz Scholar
Abstract presenting authors who are neurosurgery residents or clinical fellows
- DEADLINE: October 14, 2024
- FUNDING: $500
Awarded in memory of Charles Kuntz IV, MD by the Charles Kuntz IV Honor Your Mentor Fund to support research presentations by residents and fellows at the Annual Meeting of the AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerve.
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Awarded to each of the forty (40) top-scoring abstracts submitted to the annual Spine Summit meeting that are authored and presented by residents or fellows, in clinical or basic science research in spinal disorders, to support travel/attendance at the annual Spine Summit meeting.
Attendance at the Spine Summit meeting is mandatory. Award funds will be disbursed at the Young Surgeons’ Dinner at Spine Summit, during which award recipients will have the opportunity to interact with and receive mentorship from Spine Section surgeon-leaders.
Abstract Submission-Based Awards
(open to all authors; may only choose one of the following)
Batzdorf Awards for Chiari, Syrinx, or Cerebrospinal fluid flow-related Research
- DEADLINE: October 14, 2024
- FUNDING: Two separate awards of $1,000 each
Awarded in honor of Ulrich Batzdorf, MD, by the Ulrich Batzdorf Honor Your Mentor Fund, to provide funding for residents/fellows to attend the Joint Section Spine Conference (Spine Summit) to present a high-quality, impactful research abstract related to Chiari, syrinx, or CSF flow-related studies.

Benzel Award for Best Cervical Spine Tumor Abstract
- DEADLINE: October 14, 2024
- FUNDING: $500
Awarded to the top abstract on cervical spine tumor submitted to the annual Spine Summit meeting.

Fessler Award for Technology Innovation and/or Spinal Cord Injury Research
- DEADLINE: October 14, 2024
- FUNDING: $2,000
Awarded in honor of Richard Fessler, MD, PhD, FAANS by the Richard G. Fessler Honor Your Mentor Fund, for best abstract presented by a resident or fellow or APP at Spine Summit Annual Meeting on the topic of either Technique/Technology Innovation or Spinal Cord Injury research.
Kline Peripheral Nerve Best Abstract Award
- DEADLINE: October 14, 2024
- FUNDING: Certificate and podium recognition at Spine Summit
Presented in honor of David Kline, MD.
Awarded to the most outstanding peripheral nerve research project to promote basic science or clinical research related to the peripheral nerves, and to provide a means of peer review to help improve the quality of the proposal and therefore enhance competitiveness for National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding.

Larson Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Spine Surgery
- DEADLINE: October 14, 2024
- FUNDING: $2,500
Awarded in memory of Sanford J. Larson MD, PhD, by the Sanford J. Larson Honor Your Mentor Fund, in support of clinical research related to evaluating and/or improving diversity in spine surgery workforce.

Shaffrey International Traveling Fellow Award
Open to any presenting author based outside of the U.S.A./Canada
- DEADLINE: October 14, 2024
- FUNDING: $2,500
Awarded in honor of Christopher I. Shaffrey, MD by the Christopher I. Shaffrey Honor Your Mentor fund, to support travel by an international participant to present a paper at the Annual Meeting of the AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves.
Non-Abstract-Based Awards | Awards in Spine Surgery Research
(may apply for more than one of the following)
To be eligible for the awards within this group, Presenting Authors must submit a manuscript along with their abstract, via the Spine Summit abstract center.

Benzel Surgeon-Scholar Research Award
Requires separate submission process
- DEADLINE: October 14, 2024
- FUNDING: $2,500
This award is designed to provide funds for residents in neurosurgery or orthopedic surgery to ‘jump start’ a career in academic spine surgery. Proposals should involve a sound strategy for the utilization of the money to enhance career objectives. Funds can be utilized for research projects, travel to conferences/courses/other institutions, etc., in support of developing the winner’s academic career in spine surgery.
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The winner will also receive complimentary registration and room and board to attend the Cleveland Spine Review course held at the Cleveland Clinic in July. The winner will be expected to produce a manuscript for journal submission within a year of the award and will present his/her project and accomplishments at the DSPN meeting.
Emerging Investigator Program
Open to chief residents, fellows, junior faculty only, no trainees
- DEADLINE: Closed
- FUNDING: Individualized mentoring from senior spine investigators
The Joint Spine Section Emerging Investigator Program is a two-year national neurosurgeon-investigator mentoring program for junior spine faculty. Accepted applicants receive individualized mentoring from senior spine investigators at the American Academy of Neurological Surgery Annual Meeting, the AANS/CNS Joint Spine Section Meeting, and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons over the course of two years.
JANE Award
Requires separate submission process with full manuscript submission
- DEADLINE: October 14, 2024
- FUNDING: Certificate and podium presentation at Spine Summit
Presented in memory of John A. Jane Sr., MD, PhD.
Awarded to an outstanding fellow or resident who has performed at an exemplary academic level by achieving top manuscript submitted to the annual Spine Summit meeting and displaying a commitment to advancement of specialty via research and publication over the past 12 months.

Mayfield Award
Requires separate submission process with full manuscript submission
- DEADLINE: October 14, 2024
- FUNDING: Certificate and podium presentation at Spine Summit
Presented in memory of Frank H. Mayfield, MD.
Awarded to residents or fellows who author outstanding manuscripts detailing a laboratory or clinical investigation in the area of spinal or peripheral nerve disorders.
Non-Abstract-Based Awards | Awards in Peripheral Nerve Research
Integra Foundation Kline Peripheral Nerve Research Award
Requires separate submission process
- DEADLINE: Monday, October 14 at 5:00 pm CT
- AWARD: Certificate and podium recognition at Spine Summit.
Presented in honor of David Kline, MD.
Awarded to the most outstanding peripheral nerve research project to promote basic science or clinical research related to the peripheral nerves, and to provide a means of peer review to help improve the quality of the proposal and therefore enhance competitiveness for National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding.