Early Career Award Program

The SIRS Early Career Award Program recognizes outstanding early career researchers who have demonstrated commitment and potential in schizophrenia and psychosis research. The program is designed to support attendance at the SIRS Annual Congress while fostering the professional development of emerging investigators from around the world.

Applicants should describe their contributions to schizophrenia or psychosis research, outline their future career goals, and explain how receiving a SIRS Early Career Award would support their professional development.

Application Dates

Applications Open: Thursday, 6 August 2026

Application Deadline: Tuesday, 1 December 2026

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM CST on the closing date.

Eligibility 

Applicants must be less than 40 years of age by April 2027 and must be within five (5) years of completing their terminal degree (e.g., PhD or equivalent) or specialist training, OR be in the final year of a doctoral program leading to a terminal research degree. Eligible applicants include those who are: 

• In the final year of a doctoral program leading to a terminal research degree (e.g., PhD or equivalent);  

• A postdoctoral researcher or equivalent 

• A resident or fellow in specialty (residency) training 

We encourage individuals who are in earlier stages of their doctoral or predoctoral training to wait to apply for the award until they are closer to the above eligibility criteria to make the most out of the SIRS early career award experience. 

Applicants from underrepresented groups and researchers working in low- and middle-income countries are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Career interruptions (such as parental leave, medical leave, military service, or other significant personal circumstances) may be considered when determining eligibility.

Eligibility Definitions 

SIRS welcomes applications from researchers and clinicians around the world and recognizes that education and training pathways vary across countries. Eligibility is determined based on equivalent career stage, rather than specific job titles. 

For the purposes of this award: 

• Terminal degree refers to the highest academic degree that prepares an individual for an independent research career (e.g., PhD or equivalent doctoral degree).  

• Specialist training refers to postgraduate clinical training leading to independent clinical practice (e.g., residency, fellowship, or the equivalent in your country).  

• Applicants whose institution or country uses different position titles are encouraged to apply if their current career stage is equivalent to one of the eligibility categories listed above.  

If you are uncertain whether your career stage meets the eligibility requirements, please contact the SIRS Executive Office (info@schizophreniaresearchsociety.org) before submitting your application. 

Application Requirements

Applicants will be asked to submit: 

• A personal statement describing their contributions to schizophrenia or psychosis research, current research or clinical activities, future career goals, and how receiving an Early Career Award would support their professional development.  

• A one-page supporting letter from a supervisor, training director, department chair, or equivalent that confirms the applicant's eligibility and current training or career stage.  

• A current curriculum vitae (CV) outlining education, training, appointments, honors and awards, publications, presentations, and other scholarly contributions.  

• Selection of up to three scientific areas of interest.  

• Responses to a small number of additional application questions related to conference attendance and funding.  

Please Note...

• Previous Early Career Award recipients are not eligible to apply.  

• Only one Early Career Award application may be submitted per application cycle.  

• Eligibility is determined based on equivalent career stage, recognizing that training pathways vary internationally.  

• Submission of an application does not guarantee receipt of an award. 

Application & Review Process

Applicants for the SIRS Early Career Award Program are required to submit a scientific abstract (poster or oral presentation) for consideration at the SIRS Annual Congress.

During the abstract submission process, applicants will be asked whether they would like to include an Early Career Award application by selecting either "Yes, include award submission" or "No, do not include award submission." Selecting "Yes" will open the required Early Career Award application questions. These questions must be completed to be considered for either an Early Career Award or the Academic Excellence Award.

The SIRS Early Career Award Program is founded on the belief that participation in the Annual Congress encourages the development of emerging investigators by providing opportunities to:

• Present their research to an international audience.
• Attend an outstanding scientific program featuring the latest advances in schizophrenia and psychosis research.
• Learn about new and emerging findings, including unpublished work.
• Network with distinguished researchers, clinicians, and peers from around the world.

Following the application deadline, the SIRS Education Committee will review all eligible applications and determine which applicants receive an Early Career Award and which recipients will be recognized with the Academic Excellence Award. Applicants submit a single award application; the committee determines the appropriate award category based on the overall strength of the application.

The Early Career Award includes: (This award is not deferrable due to nonattendance to the congress. If the awardee does not attend the congress, the award is relinquished and is not transferrable to another person.)

• One year waived registration
• A SIRS Member mentor for the meeting
• Invitations to Early Career Award functions throughout the Congress
• A portion of hotel and/or travel to the Congress site from residing country

The Academic Excellence Award includes: (This award is not deferrable due to nonattendance to the congress. If the awardee does not attend the congress, the award is relinquished and is not transferrable to another person.)

• 2 years waived registration; year of award and the following congress year
• A SIRS Member mentor for the meeting
• Invitations to Early Career Award functions throughout the Congress

Abstract Reviews for Early Career Researchers from Underrepresented Countries

In service of SIRS' goal to increase representation in the society for early career researchers and underrepresented countries, SIRS offers the opportunity to have your oral or poster abstract reviewed at least 3-weeks prior to the poster/oral abstract submission deadline for the Congress. CLICK HERE to learn more!