PIDS Partners with the Academic Pediatric Association (APA) on Research in Academic Pediatrics Initiative on Development (RAPID)

Research Funding Opportunity for Fellows and Junior Faculty

PIDS has partnered with the American Pediatric Association for the Research in Academic Pediatrics Initiative on Development (RAPID) funding cycle to support two young scholars dedicated to the treatment, control and eradication of infectious diseases affecting children. Funds will be available to support up to $15,000 per selected Scholar to complete a one-year research project, receive mentoring by senior expert investigators, and attend the 2026 RAPID Conference.

Program Overview
RAPID was launched in 2012 as the first national research training program dedicated to supporting junior faculty and senior fellows in academic pediatrics. Funded through three consecutive NIDDK R25 awards (currently through 2028), RAPID has had a transformative impact on the careers of pediatric investigators across the country.

Over the past 12 years, RAPID Scholars have secured multiple NIH career development awards (including K awards), an RWJ AMFDP award, an R01, and an FDA grant; published extensively; and presented nationally. RAPID also convenes a highly rated annual research conference and builds lasting national networks through mentoring, leadership training, and professional development opportunities. Because of RAPID’s success with the APA, additional partnerships with PIDS, ABP, APS, and Mead Johnson have been included to broadly expanded the program.

RAPID’s goal is to encourage and support individuals who have experienced significant adversity and challenges to pursue a research career in academic pediatrics, such as socioeconomic factors, growing up in rural areas, and other challenges, hardships, and unique life experiences. This will be judged by reviewing the applicant’s narrative regarding how societal factors have shaped the individual’s interests and preparedness to be a RAPID Scholar. Applicants must address their adversity, challenges, and unique life experiences in their application.

PIDS is pleased to announce the partnership with APA for the 2026 RAPID funding cycle to support young scholars dedicated to the treatment, control and eradication of infectious diseases affecting children.

RAPID-PIDS Goals and Support
RAPID is designed to recruit, retain, and advance junior faculty and senior fellows pursuing research careers in academic pediatrics. The program provides:

• Research funding through small grants;
• National membership by senior pediatric investigators;
• Networking opportunities at the PAS RAPID Breakfast/Lunch;
• Leadership and career development training through an annual RAPID conference;
• Ongoing peer and mentor engagement through monthly Scholar calls.

Eligibility
In alignment with recent federal guidance, RAPID has broadened its eligibility criteria to focus on individuals who have overcome significant adversity or challenges in their path toward a career in academic pediatrics. Examples include socioeconomic hardship, growing up in rural or medically underserved areas, discrimination, and other unique life experiences that have shaped the applicant’s interests and preparedness to become a RAPID Scholar. Selection is based on applicants’ personal narratives; factors such as race, ethnicity, or gender identity are not considered in eligibility or selection.

The application portals for the 2026 RAPID small research grants and the Career Development Conference is open. The deadline is December 1, 2025.

How to Apply
Applications are open to all pediatric subspecialties. Interested junior faculty and senior fellows should submit a Letter of Intent by December 1, 2025. Full details are available here: RAPID Program Application Information.

Please take care in reviewing the following steps before submitting an Initial Proposal:

• Select your Funding Path: NIDDK or PIDS
• Ensure you are within the eligibility requirements for a RAPID Scholar
• Confirm that both you and your chosen mentors are current members of the Academic Pediatric Association (for NIDDK Funding Path) and/or the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (for PIDS Funding Path)

The RAPID National Advisory Committee (NAC) will review initial submissions and select Principal Investigators (PIs) who will be invited to submit full proposals.

Incomplete submissions and application materials that exceed the requested page limits will NOT be considered for review.

Learn more about RAPID

Questions? Send a message to pids@idsociety.org.

Past Recipients

• Ana Quintero (2022) – “Being a RAPID scholar was a transformative experience for me. Far beyond the financial support, the mentorship from senior expert investigators, who are genuinely invested in my success, has been an invaluable asset. Besides the academic benefits, the RAPID program enabled me to interact with fellow scholars from various backgrounds, leading to lasting friendships and collaborations that I know will endure long after the program ends. It’s a journey I’ll always cherish and recommend. I am immensely grateful to PIDS and APA for this wonderful opportunity and to my mentors for their support.”
  
  
• Marisa Orbea (2022) – “I am incredibly grateful to have been a RAPID/PIDS Scholar. Thanks to this program, I was able to fund my randomized trial in messaging strategies aimed to improve COVID-19 vaccine uptake in a racially and ethnically diverse hospitalized patient population. I also received fantastic mentorship from leaders in academic medicine. In addition, I established lifelong relationships with peers engaged in a wide variety of research across the nation. Together, as RAPID scholars, we learned how to further our scholarly endeavors and how to become successful NIH funded researchers. I found this experience extremely gratifying and thank RAPID and PIDS for creating this amazing opportunity for young scholars.”