AGA-Aman Armaan Ahmed Family SURF for Success Program

The objective of this award is to stimulate interest in digestive disease research among applicants from groups underrepresented in biomedical research through mentored research experience with a goal of encouraging promising students to pursue careers in science, medicine, and specifically basic and/or clinical digestive disease research to expand the pipeline of investigators from diverse backgrounds.

Applications are now open on our website and will close on February 3, 2027.

Applicant eligibility

• Applicants currently enrolled in an undergraduate program in North America with at least one year left in their undergraduate education (i.e., no graduating seniors) are eligible to apply.
   
• Applicants must be in good academic standing at an accredited institution of higher education.
   
• Applicants must identify with a group traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research, including:
   
• Racial and ethnic groups: African Americans or Blacks, Native Alaskans, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, and those of Latinx or Hispanic origin.
   
• Individuals with disabilities.
   
• Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, i.e., those meeting two or more of the following criteria:
  
  • Current or former homeless.
     
  • Those who were in the foster care system.
     
  • Those who were eligible for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program for two or more years.
     
  • First generation college students.
     
  • Those who were or are currently eligible for Federal Pell grants.
     
  • Those who received support from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children.
     
  • Those who grew up in a U.S. rural area according to the Health Resources and Services Administration or a Low-Income and Health Professional Shortage Area according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
     
• Applicants may not hold similar salary-support awards from other agencies (e.g., American Liver Foundation, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, NIH).
   
• This award is not intended to provide salary support for laboratory technicians.
   
• Ideal applicants will have at least one semester/quarter or summer of prior research experience, though this is not required.
   
• Past recipients may reapply in subsequent years provided they submitted the required scientific progress report and any follow-up surveys for their previously funded project, and continue to meet all other eligibility requirements.

Application requirements

• Applicants must identify, contact, and secure support from a research mentor who is a dues-paying member of AGA. Applicants may choose to contact one of our participating mentors listed below or apply with a mentor they already work with.
   
• A letter of support from the mentor (limited to two pages) is required. Mentors will receive instructions for submitting their letter upon being added to the application.
  A completed mentorship form is required. Mentors will receive the form and instructions upon being added to the application.
   
• An abstract (limited to 1,500 characters) and research proposal (limited to two pages) describing the research the applicant will perform during the award period.
   
• A letter of reference (limited to one page) from a current or past professor who can speak to the applicant’s qualifications and engagement. The mentor and referee must be different individuals.
   
• A personal statement (limited to 3,000 characters).
   
• A description of the applicant’s research background, if any (limited to 1,000 characters).
  Transcript(s). Unofficial transcripts are acceptable provided all courses and credits are clearly legible.