The Women in Otolaryngology (WIO) Endowment was established in 2010 to provide a perpetual stream of funding, via grants, for projects that support actionable research and/or projects that are designed to benefit the professional development of women in otolaryngology. A grant budget of approximately $20,000 is established for each fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). Individual grant awards average $1,000-$5,000.
Grants are reviewed and awarded by the WIO Endowment committee on behalf of and with the approval of the Governing Council of the WIO. Grants for the next fiscal year are awarded by June 30th and projects must be completed within 12 months thereafter.
50% of funds approved will be provided upon receipt of a signed letter of agreement, 50% at the conclusion of the project (within 12 months).
The 2024 grant application process is now closed. The 2025 application process will open in early December 2024.
Who Can Apply?
All otolaryngologists who are active members of the Academy.
Criteria for WIO Endowment Grants
Requests for a WIO Endowment Grant must be for projects that demonstrate a significant contribution to further explore and advance the success of women in otolaryngology and be aligned with the following goals:
- Career development of women otolaryngologists whether private, academic, or military.
- Unique approaches to work/life integration -an issue facing all otolaryngologists.
- Leadership development and recognition.
- Education relevant to women’s needs and interests.
Please note that the WIO Grants do not fund the following budgetary items:
- Food/beverages or venue fees for gatherings/meetings; speaker fees may be considered but often are not possible to fund depending on the quality and quantity of grant requests in a given year
- Salary support for principal or co-investigators
- Travel expenses for full Academy members (Physician and Fellow category)
- Funding for clinical research not aligned with the above goals, even if it enhances the career development of a female otolaryngologist
- Incentives for physicians to complete surveys or qualitative interviews/questionnaires
Evaluation Criteria for WIO Grants
The WIO preferentially funds projects with the potential to benefit a significant segment of women in otolaryngology. Proposals that benefit only a limited number of women are generally not funded.
Grant Requirements
Grant recipients will submit a written report of project status to WIO within six months of receipt of grant funding and a final report within 12 months of grant funding. Grant recipients will be required to present outcomes via webinar, podcast or presentation within 6 months after compilation of the final report.
The Academy and WIO will have the right of first refusal to publish any project outcomes. Recipients agree to permit WIO and AAO-HNS to include project outcome reports in WIO presentations, in Academy publications, on the Academy website, etc.
Grants to fund survey projects are not being considered at this time. Due to the large volume of requests, the Academy survey process has been paused for now and no new surveys requests are being accepted.
Timing
The 2025 grant application process will open in early December 2024.
Questions?
Questions? Please contact Pamela Gilbert (Staff Liaison, WIO Endowment Committee) at [email protected] or Kelly Malloy, MD (Chair, WIO Endowment Committee) at [email protected].
Donate to the WIO2.0 Endowment Fund
Your donation will help sustain and grow a vital source of funding needed to support WIO projects including:
- Research grants that address how women are integrated into mainstream otolaryngology such as parity and equity and work/life integration
- Programs that provide professional skills training focusing on negotiation, leadership and managerial skills
- Online learning tools such as podcasts and webinars that enhance both personal and professional career development
- Engagement of noted speakers relevant to women’s needs and interests to participate at AAO-HNSF WIO Section meetings and functions
- Expanding funded projects such as the Local WIO Chapters and other networking opportunities nationally
- Continuing to lay the foundation for the next generation of women in otolaryngology
