ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Linda Brandt was one of the founding members of APPAP and served as its first president. Although not a PA herself, she was a driving force for PA postgraduate education. She was the Director of the PA Surgical Residency at Norwalk Hospital/Yale University School of Medicine and a founding member of the Society for the Preservation of Physician Assistant History. She is remembered by her colleagues for her passion and tireless devotion to PA postgraduate education. She continuously fostered the professional development of hundreds of PA residents and contributed to the education of thousands of PA students from all over the country. Linda lost her battle with cancer in 2004.

It is an honor for APPAP to offer this award in her memory.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this initiative is to support research regarding Physician Assistant postgraduate education, impact, and training outcomes.
Apply to the AAPA Research in Action: ePosters, Research Rounds, and Research in Action presentations at the AAPA annual conference.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

• Physician Assistant postgraduate residents/fellows
• Physician Assistant students
• Physician Assistants

APPLICANT EXPECTATIONS

• Make a good-faith effort to complete the research project in the allotted time.
• Present an update to the project at the APPAP fall business meeting.
• Present the completed project at the APPAP annual spring meeting, held in conjunction with the annual AAPA Conference.

APPLICATION

Applicants must submit a typed, double-spaced proposal that includes the following sections:

• Title Page
• Title
• Applicant name, address (postal and e-mail), phone and fax numbers
• Abstract (not more than 500 words)
• Research Description (not more than 4 pages)
• Background and Rationale
• Methods
• Identification and qualifications of key personnel
• Expected timeline for completion of the project
• CV of Applicant
• CV of Mentor(s)*
• Mentor Statement of support*
• Statement of Institutional Support-This may be a letter from an appropriate individual or representative who can affirm that the applicant has access to facilities and personnel to aid in the successful completion of the project. It may be included in the Mentor Statement if appropriate.
• Students and Residents should identify a mentor or mentor team. Up to 3 persons may be included. Mentor identification is optional for graduates and other professionals; however, mentor identification is encouraged for those with limited experience in research.
• Relevance to PA Postgraduate Education
• Feasibility and likelihood of completion (timeline, mentor, facility, etc)
• Considerations: Writing organization, detail and style

Key Dates

Call for Submissions: Open Dec 1, 2025 – Jan 11, 2026 for AAPA 2026.
https://www.aapa.org/conference/eposters-research-in-action/
Conference sessions occur mid-May.

Submission Guidelines

• Research must focus on the PA profession, PA education, or be conducted by PAs/PA students.
• You can submit for Research in Action or ePoster only.
• If not accepted for Research in Action, your work may be considered for ePoster or Research Round.

Preferred Topics

• PA Role and Practice: Team dynamics, expanded roles, legislative/system impacts.
• PA Value and Impact: Quality care, patient satisfaction, cost-effectiveness.
• Understanding the PA Workforce: Diversity, specialization trends, workforce projections.
• Industry Sponsored Research: Accepted if a PA is involved.
• Encore Presentations: Previously presented work may be considered.

Presentation Formats

• Research in Action: 25-minute podium talk (CME credit; honorarium for one speaker).
• ePoster Research Rounds: 25-minute CME session with short presentations.
• ePoster Meet the Authors: 60-minute non-CME session in Expo Hall.

If accepted, the AAPA will notify APPAP for all of those who meet criteria.
APPAP will review all accepted work and individually reach out to authors who advance research on Physician Assistant postgraduate education, its impact, and training outcomes.