NOW ACCEPTING GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR HUMANITARIAN OUTREACH TRIPS TAKING PLACE
January 1 – June 30, 2026
Submit your application by November 15, 2025
Purpose
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) wishes its members to engage in humanitarian efforts. The Humanitarian Efforts Committee helps the AAO-HNS Foundation as an organization, and its members as individuals, to serve humanity’s needs in this medical specialty throughout the world. Humanitarian medical efforts can be immensely rewarding and serve as a reminder of the motivation for choosing medicine as a career path. Travel grants provide residents who are Academy members an opportunity to contribute professional service to people in areas with limited resources.
Eligibility
An application may be received from resident members of the Academy who will have completed at least two years of otolaryngology residency training (excluding surgical internship) in an accredited program at the time of service. Academy members in training fellowships are also eligible. Priority is given to residents in PGY4 or 5 and to fellows in training because of their advance surgical training. Prior recipients of an AAO-HNSF Humanitarian Travel Grant are ineligible.
Deadlines
For missions in the first six months of the year (January-June), the application deadline is November 15 of the previous year. For missions in the second six months (July through December), the deadline is May 15 of the same year.
Funding
The Foundation may award up to 25 grants per year in the amount of $1,000. The recipient must raise additional funds for travel, living expenses, and so on. The service must be completed no later than one calendar year after the grant is awarded. Grant recipients who cannot make their planned trip within the one-year period will be required to return the grant monies, but will be eligible to re-apply.
Duration of Service
A minimum of one week at one site.
Hospital Location
The recipient of this grant is responsible for contacting and reaching an agreement with officials of the institution and the country in which they wish to serve. The AAO-HNS Foundation’s Humanitarian Efforts Committee can assist in providing several possibilities of institutions desiring such service. This grant is specifically for service in seriously underserved areas, both within and outside of the United States.
To apply for this grant, please fill out this form. Completed forms can be submitted to: [email protected]
