Funding Opportunities

Each of the nine ACFAS Regions are providing financial support reimbursing the cost of publication for one local Resident or Post Graduate Fellow Member to publish a case study in FASTRAC, the College’s open-access journal. Congratulations to those selected!

Big West Region  
Michelle Yoakim, DPM
Outcomes Following Repair of a Tibial Nerve Transection Resulting from Total Ankle Arthroplasty: A Case Report

Prasad Shalvi, DPM
Utilization of Pinch Grafts for Wound Closure: A Case Series & Technique Guide

Anh Thy T. Nguyen, DPM
Double osteotomies with iliac crest bone allograft and distal fibular autograft to correct a severe pediatric ankle varus deformity

 Tobee Gunter, DPM
Unique Perspective Case Report from the Author as the Patient - 2 year follow up of the OAT procedure for Second Metatarsal Freiberg’s Infraction

Great Lakes Region
Niral Patel, DPM
The Complexities of Self-Harm in Foot & Ankle Surgery

Mid-Atlantic Region  
Anthony Schwab, DPM
Minimally Invasive Subtalar Joint and Talonavicular Joint Preparation for Hindfoot Arthrodesis: A Cadaveric Study Evaluating Structures at Risk

Jennifer Kipp, DPM
BMI Influence on Total Ankle Arthroplasty Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Midwest Region
Remmy Owor, DPM
Peroneal Muscle Influence as a New Outlook to the Lauge-Hansen Ankle Classification: A Short Report

Gayana Wanniarachchi, DPM
A Novel Technique for the Surgical Management of Sural Nerve Pathology: Sural Neurectomy with a Closed End Conduit and Burial into Muscle 

Northeast Region
Timothy Cheung, DPM, PhD
Erenumab, a New Migraine Medication, Negatively Impacts Surgical Wound and Bone Healing: A Case Study

Timothy Cheung, DPM, PhD
First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Implant Arthroplasty Reduces the First Intermetatarsal Angle Similar to First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis in Short-Term Follow Up

Matthew Peter, DPM
Tibial Transverse Corticotomy: A case series on a novel approach for limb salvage in the setting of peripheral vascular disease

Lee Tiberi, DPM
Limb Length Restoring Novel Limb Salvage Procedure via Ipsilateral Fibular Strut Autograft

Southeast Region
Taylor Bergstrom, DPM
The Surgical Management of Turf Toe: A Case Report

Tri-State Region
Amelia Maguire, DPM
Give It a Brake: Open Tongue-Type Calcaneal Fracture After Zip Lining Accident 

The mission of ACFAS' nine Regions is to promote at the state and local level the superior care of foot and ankle surgical patients through education, research and the promotion of the highest professional standards.

The primary use of Region funds is through the provision of educational programming at a grassroots level and support of educational endeavors through the creation of grants; scholarships; and support of students, residents and young members just starting practice. The Regions are committed to supporting students and residents, specifically their research posters and manuscripts and young researchers' travel and attendance at the ACFAS Annual Scientific Conference.

Please visit your Region webpage for more information about funds available, or contact your Region President with any questions or to request support.

The ACFAS/PICA DEI Scholarship recognized its first five recipients and awarded them with $1,500 towards their travel costs and complimentary registration to the 2024 ACFAS Annual Scientific Conference. 

Congratulations to the 2024 ACFAS/PICA DEI Scholars!

Neilda Erickson, DPM
PGY-2, Saint Vincent Hospital, Boston, MA

Isana Fils-Aime, DPM
PGY-2, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 

Niral A. Patel, DPM
PGY-2, Ascension St Vincent Hospital Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN

Shalvi Prasad, DPM
PGY-2, DVA - New Mexico Healthcare System, Albuquerque, NM

Patrick Robinson, DPM
PGY-2, Scott & White Medical Center - Temple, Temple, TX

The ACFAS DEI Scholarship program is generously supported by PICA. 

Awarded to the presidents of each ACFAS Student Club, this scholarship offsets the cost of attending the Annual Scientific Conference and recognizes these students for their service to the College. 
 
 The ACFAS Scholars program was made possible thanks to support by PICA. 

Zachery Goguen, Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine '25
 Androw Sawiris, Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine '25
 Vanessa Som, Samuel Merritt University College of Podiatric Medicine   '25
 John Albert, Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine & Surgery '25
 Talia Woody, Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine '25
 Mohammad Shigri, New York College of Podiatric Medicine  '25
 Jack Arp, Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science '26
 Neha Daga, Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine '25
 Savannah Santiago, Western University College of Podiatric Medicine   ‘24
 Stephanie Bender, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Podiatric Medicine '26

Awarded to the president elects of each ACFAS Student Club, this scholarship, provided by the ACFAS Regions, offsets the cost of attending the Annual Scientific Conference and recognizes these students for their service to the College. 

Kat Shaw, Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine '26
 Kailee Bird, Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine '26
 Brittany Wright, Samuel Merritt University College of Podiatric Medicine  '26
 Alana Parkey, Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine & Surgery '26
 DeAsia Garrett, Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine '26
 Laiyana Kabir, New York College of Podiatric Medicine '26
 Brennan Donovan, Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science '27
 Louise Fricker, Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine '26
 Jacob Abjelina, Western University College of Podiatric  Medicine ‘24
 Abelardo Osuna, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Podiatric Medicine '26

These scholarships are donated by the family of Roya Mirmiran, DPM, FACFAS and award $1,000 and complimentary conference registrations to exemplary students at one of the ACFAS Student Clubs each year on a rotating basis. This year’s winners were selected by their faculty advisor at the School of Podiatric Medicine at Barry University in Miami, Florida. 

Stephen Weatherholtz, ‘24
 Eain Roberts, ‘25
 Anwar Nass, ‘25
 Patricia Toledo, ‘26

Applications for the ACFAS Clinical & Scientific Research Grant closed on October 15, 2023.

Thanks to support from PICA and the ACFAS Regions, the College will again be offering funding of up to $75,000 for an established investigator and $25,000 for a new researcher.

Important Dates
Letters of intent were due on September 15.
Final applications must be received by October 15.
Awards will be announced in December and funding will be provided in January 2024.

Apply Online
Submit Letters of Intent
Submit Final Application

Requirements

• All applications must follow a modified NIH R21 format.
• The principal investigator (PI) must be a member of ACFAS in good standing. Fellows and residents may not serve as PI.
• Only one application may be submitted per PI.
• Research must take place in the United States.
• All projects must be completed within a one to two-year time frame. If needed, a one-year extension may be granted for an established investigator or a six-month extension for a new researcher.
• The PI salary may not exceed 10 percent of the total budget. Salary will only be disbursed at the final milestone - submission to The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery for publication.
• Indirect expenses are capped at 10 percent.
• Quarterly progress reports must be submitted to the College.
• Any unused funds must be returned to the ACFAS Clinical & Scientific Research Grant Program. 
• Distribution of funds will be based upon the completion of project milestones/deliverables and must be paid through the PI or PI's institution. 

Additionally, new researchers must satisfy each of the following requirements: 

• No prior ACFAS research grant award serving as PI
• Prior research funding (if any) does not total more than $25,000
• Current faculty rank (if any) is not greater than Assistant Professor
• Publication H-factor is not greater than 8  

All applications are scored by an independent review panel of content experts. Each reviewer will assign a single global score to each application, and not each section. Non-recused members of the ACFAS Research Committee serve as managers of the grant program and determine when milestones have been achieved.  

Applications for a second year of funding will be considered only on a competitive basis and must adhere to the criteria outlined for initial submissions including the October 15 deadline. Funding beyond the initial $75,000 or $25,000 for a second year is not guaranteed. Competitive renewals must include a progress report detailing the investigative team’s progress and justification for an additional year of new funding.