An award from the Neurosurgery Research & Education Foundation (NREF) can have an extraordinary impact on a neurosurgeon’s career.
- 292 Clinical Fellowship Grants
- 345 Medical Student Summer Research Fellowships
- 18 CV Section Traveling Fellowships
- 319 Research Fellowship Grants and Young Clinician Investigator Awards
- 54 William P. Van Wagenen Fellowships
This investment has resulted in over 30% of NREF grant recipients going on to receive NIH funding and nearly 20% have become chairs of academic departments.
REMINDER: Grant and fellowship applications for the 2027-28 academic year are open through the NREF Online Grant Portal. Here’s the complete schedule:
| Program | Application Open | Deadline Date | Award Notification |
| 2027-28 NREF Research Fellowship Grants & Young Clinician Investigator Awards | Sept. 1, 2026 | Nov. 8, 2026 | Apr. 15, 2027 |
| 2027 Cerebrovascular Section Traveling Fellowships | |||
| 2027 Medical Student Summer Research Fellowships | |||
| 2027-28 Clinical Fellowship Grants | |||
| 2027-28 SNS Neurosurgeon-Scientist Training Program (NSTP) | Oct. 1, 2026 | Dec. 15, 2026 | Apr. 15, 2027 |
| 2028-29 William P. Van Wagenen Fellowship | Sep. 1, 2026 | Nov. 8, 2026 | Jan. 15, 2027 |
You must use your myAANS.org login to access the portal. Candidates are strongly encouraged to carefully review the Application Instructions and FAQs prior to completing the application for information on policies and procedures.
If you have questions about the application process, please contact NREF, at 847.378.0500 or via email at info@nref.org.
On behalf of the NREF, please feel free to share this outstanding professional opportunity with a friend, colleague or mentee. Support from the NREF opens doors for the next generation of neurosurgeons.