The mission of the AASM Foundation is to lead the field in academic sleep medicine in terms of research and education, aiming to enhance sleep health for all through funding initiatives. The RLS Foundation focuses on improving care and seeking cures for those affected by Restless Legs Syndrome through research, education, and connecting communities.
The Young Investigators Research Forum aims to support the career development of early career investigators in the fields of circadian and sleep research. This is achieved through a combination of mentorship, networking, and training opportunities designed to equip new researchers with the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful academic career in sleep research. The program emphasizes the importance of building effective mentorship relationships, understanding sleep research funding mechanisms and policies, gaining insight into the grant peer review process, and developing compelling grant proposals. Attendees will have the chance to interact with established senior investigators and representatives from funding agencies, fostering a collaborative environment aimed at driving forward the next generation of sleep and circadian science researchers. Selected trainees are awarded a travel scholarship by the AASM Foundation for participation in the forum's events, underlining the commitment to remove barriers to entry for promising new scientists in the field.