ABMS Research and Education Foundation

Supporting Continuing Certification and Professional Development of Physicians

The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) Research and Education Foundation (REF), founded in 1971, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the continuing certification process and professional development of physician specialists.

Through diverse research and education initiatives, the REF advances the ABMS mission to improve health care quality and promote the ongoing growth of medical professionals. In collaboration with academic health centers, universities, hospitals, health systems, and other health organizations, the REF develops and promotes impactful research programs.

Grant Program

The ABMS REF seeks grant proposals on original research that provides insight into the process of achieving and maintaining the standards for medical specialty certification. These insights inform improvements in the structures, processes, and outcomes of certification.

Grants of up to $75,000 are available.

Research topics may cover:

• Personal attributes (e.g., of certification candidates or diplomates)
• Features of programs and organizations (e.g., an ABMS Member Board, a residency program)
• Broader ideas (e.g., professionalism, competence, diagnostic excellence, or linking to outcomes)

In addition to the research insights achieved by the individual grantees, a key objective of the grant program is to facilitate a community of research practice around the mechanism of certification. This will be achieved through a judicious number of grantee interactions with each other, with Member Boards, and with the ABMS Visiting Scholars Program™, which supports the research of early-career physicians and research professionals and facilitates leadership development through engagement with ABMS and the broader certification community.

Learn how to apply for an REF research grant.

Letters of Intent must be submitted by January 31, 2025.

Congratulations to those who received grants in 2024!

Meet the winners of the 2024-2026 grant cycle and read about their research projects.

Committed to Quality Health Care Delivery Through Research and Education Excellence

The REF initiatives are centered on three key strategies:

• Conducting and facilitating education initiatives for improving physician performance, protecting patient safety, and setting higher standards to achieve improved health care
• Guiding, facilitating, and collaborating in research concerning certification from a national and international perspective
• Developing relationships and securing funding to expand key activities for accomplishing its mission