Conference Awards

Trainee Awards for SLEEP

The application period for SLEEP 2026 is closed. More information regarding the next cycle of the Trainee Awards can be expected in January of 2027.

  1. Applicants must be a current SRS member in one of the following categories: Postdoctoral Fellow, Predoctoral Student, or Undergraduate Student;
  2. Applicants must attend the Trainee Symposia Series Lectures at SLEEP on Trainee Symposia Sunday
  3. Applicants may be required to have submitted an abstract for the SLEEP meeting.

Please note: Awards will be determined prior to the Trainee Symposia Series registration deadline. You must attend Trainee Symposia Series Sunday in order to receive the award. *

*Applicants are strongly encouraged to also attend the Welcome Reception of the Trainee Symposia Series on Saturday.

*There is one application for the following SLEEP conference awards: Trainee Merit Award, Leadership Development Workshop or Grant Writing Workshop, Diversity Membership Award, and SRSF Undergraduate Trainee Travel Scholarship. 

Trainee Merit Awards are financial awards which are approximately the cost of registration for SLEEP, a certificate, and recognition in an SRS Update.

Eligibility Requirements:

  1. Trainee must have submitted an abstract for the SLEEP meeting (late-breaking abstracts are not eligible for this award);
  2. Complete/submit the application*;
  3. Attend the SRS’s Trainee Symposia Sunday**, and submit an evaluation;

**Applicants are strongly encouraged to also attend Trainee Symposia Saturday.

The Leadership Development Workshop is held for a select group of trainees seeking guidance in leadership development. The workshop includes speakers, interactive panels, and small group discussions. Topics will include transitioning to independence, setting up a research team, managing the business of science, and personal marketing. To be eligible for the Leadership Development Workshop Award, trainees must complete and submit an application* and attend the Leadership Development Workshop (workshops take place during the annual SLEEP meeting in odd years).

Late graduate students and post-doctoral trainees are encouraged to apply.

The Grant Writing Workshop is held for a select group of trainees seeking guidance in grant writing development. The workshop includes speakers, interactive panels, and small group discussions. Topics include practical information on the grant writing process, from initial planning to funding, as well as an opportunity to have specific aims reviewed by a faculty member. To be eligible for the Grant Writing Workshop Award, trainees must complete and submit an application* and attend the Grant Writing Workshop (workshops take place during the annual SLEEP meeting in even years).

Apply to the SLEEP 2026 workshop: Grant Writing Workshop Application

The SRS welcomes and benefits from scientists and researchers with a common interest in sleep and circadian rhythms from varying backgrounds, disciplines and countries. Trainees will be offered up to $2,000 reimbursement for registration fees, travel, and lodging costs associated with attending SLEEP. All levels of training are eligible for the SRS Diversity Travel Award (high school students, undergraduate students, graduate students, medical students, medical residents, fellows, postdoctoral students).

*Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend both Trainee Symposia Saturday and Trainee Symposia Sunday.

This scholarship is offered for undergraduate trainees with an interest in pursuing a career in sleep or circadian rhythms. Trainees will be offered up to $1,000 reimbursement for registration fees, travel, and lodging costs associated with attending SLEEP.

To be eligible for the Undergraduate Trainee Travel Scholarship, trainees must:

  1. Complete and submit the application,
  2. Attend Trainee Symposia Sunday, and submit an evaluation, and
  3. Be a current SRS Undergraduate Member.

Trainees who have never attended the Trainee Symposia Series (formerly known as Trainee Day) and who do not have any outside funding to attend SLEEP will be given preference for this scholarship, but all undergraduates are encouraged to apply. Trainees are welcome to apply to this scholarship in addition to the Trainee Merit award but will only be awarded one.

Sponsored by the Sleep Research Society Foundation

First Time Attendee Award

The Sleep Research Society (SRS) wishes to increase engagement and support for first-time attendees at our annual SLEEP Meeting and the Trainee Symposia Series. We are excited to offer the First-Time Attendee Award, which aims to facilitate attendance of SRS non-member trainees (i.e., undergraduates, doctoral students, and postdoctoral students at the SLEEP meeting and the Trainee Symposia Series by covering:

  • SRS membership;
  • SLEEP registration costs
  • While this award is intended for non-member trainees, current SRS Trainee members are invited to apply as long as they have not attended the SLEEP meeting in the past. Current SRS Trainee members will receive an additional (1) year of membership and SLEEP registration costs if selected. If the current member is already paid through, the awardee will only receive the SLEEP registration reimbursement.
  • This award and its components are non-transferable.

To be eligible for the award, each individual must:

  1. Hold trainee status (i.e., undergraduate, doctoral student, or postdoctoral student, including internship/residency).
  2. Have not previously attended a SLEEP meeting.
  3. Applicants must attend Trainee Symposia Sunday at SLEEP 2026 on June 14, 2026, from 8:00 am-1:00 pm (ET).*
  4. Both SRS member and non-member trainees are eligible.

*Applicants are strongly encouraged to also attend Trainee Symposia Saturday, to be held on June 13, 2026, from 2:00 pm -5:30 pm (ET).

Questions? Please contact the SRS Coordinator at coordinator@srsnet.org.