These awards were created to honor early-career AFMR investigators whose biomedical research projects complement an overall program of research, teaching, and clinical medicine. This award was previously known as the Junior Physician Investigator Award.

Candidates must be an AFMR member who has submitted an abstract to one of the 2026 AFMR Regional Meetings: the Western Medical Research Conference, the Southeastern Regional Meeting, and/or the Midwest Clinical & Translational Research Meeting. Eligible applications will be judged on both the quality of the abstract submitted and their career accomplishments.

Applicants must submit a letter of support from their mentor, division chief, or department chair as part of their application.

ELIGIBILITY
Nominees should meet or exceed the following criteria:

• Be a biomedical researcher who holds a doctoral degree and has held a full-time medical school faculty appointment for five years or less;
• Have submitted an abstract to one of the AFMR Regional Meetings: the Western Medical Research Conference, the Southeastern Regional Meeting, and/or the Midwest Clinical & Translational Research Meeting.
• Participate in bio-medical research projects which complement an overall program of research, teaching and clinical medicine;
• Be an AFMR member in good standing at the time of the award application deadline. You may go online to join AFMR or renew your Membership.

Please check to confirm the following are included in the single PDF document being submitted as your application:

• Completed award application form
• Nominator Form & Letter
• Copy of CV
• Copy of abstract submitted to an AFMR Regional or National Meeting
• Letter of support from mentor, division chief, or department chair

AWARD
The recipient will receive:

• A $2,500 award
• Recognition at both the National Meeting and through online AFMR platforms
• A nomination to the Regional Section Council in which they reside
• An invitation to present at the AFMR National Meeting

REVIEW CRITERIA
The selection process and administration of the award will be under the auspices of the AFMR National Council.

2026 Recipient:
Ron T. Varghese, MD
University of Miami
Miami, FL
Role of TCF7L2 in Genetic Predisposition to Diabetes and Prediabetes

Previous Award Recipients