The mission of the PSF (Plastic Surgery Foundation) is to support research and development in the field of plastic surgery, with a focus on funding innovative projects that can quickly transition from discovery through FDA approval into clinical testing. This research aims at improving commercial development, benefiting patients, and addressing unmet clinical needs with the end goal of enhancing the field's overall body of knowledge and patient care capabilities.
The Research Fellowship Grant offered by the PSF has the broad goal of fostering the next generation of plastic surgeons through rigorous research and academic development. This grant specifically supports salary expenses for Residents or Fellows seeking to gain research experience and training under the mentorship of experienced professionals in the field. The program emphasizes the importance of a structured research training plan alongside a viable research project, prioritizing applications that demonstrate a clear vision for both the applicant's development and the proposed research's impact. Notably, only projects that have already secured funding are eligible for consideration. A key criterion for evaluation includes the potential of the applicant, the quality of the research training experience, the mentor's qualifications, and their commitment to the mentoring process. Proposals must be authored by the applicants themselves to reflect true grantmanship skills. Up to $50,000 is available for one year, specifically designated for salary support.