Centralized Otolaryngology Research Efforts (CORE) update
The Centralized Otolaryngology Research Efforts (CORE) grants program plays a critical role in advancing the field of otolaryngology by providing support to research projects, research training, and career development.
The Centralized Otolaryngology Research Efforts (CORE) grants program plays a critical role in advancing the field of otolaryngology by providing support to research projects, research training, and career development. CORE aims to:
- unify the research application and review process for the specialty;
- encourage young investigators to pursue research in otolaryngology;
- serve as an interim step that may ultimately channel efforts for important National Institute of Health (NIH) funding opportunities.
The CORE grant program societies, foundations, sponsors, and partners have awarded more than 12 million dollars since the program’s inception in 1985. The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) administers the CORE grants program for participating societies and sponsors.
In 2019, the AAO-HNSF, the American Head & Neck Society (AHNS), the Association for Migraine Disorders (AMD), the American Rhinologic Society (ARS), the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO), the Education and Research Foundation for the American Academy of Facial Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), and Xoran Technologies, LLC, were involved in funding grants ranging from $5,000 to $80,000. The CORE grant program provides recommendations for funding to the partner societies, and the leadership of each participating subspecialty society is ultimately responsible for determining who is selected to receive funding each year. The recipients of the grants sponsored by Xoran Technologies, LLC, are determined by the AAO-HNSF leadership.
This past March, the CORE Study Section of 61 volunteer members sponsored by all the partner societies met in Dallas, TX, to review 155 applications requesting $2,338,053 in funding. Applications are classified into one of three CORE Study Section subcommittees, including: Head and Neck Surgery, chaired by Cherie-Ann O. Nathan, MD; Otology, chaired by Oliver F. Adunka, MD; and General Otolaryngology, chaired by Michael J. Brenner, MD.
The 2019 CORE leadership (including the boards and councils of all participating societies) has approved a portfolio of 35 grants totaling $556,562. The AAO-HNSF-specific grants accounted for 19 grants approved and $226,562 of total funding.