Grants, Scholarships & Awards

RISE Research and Awards Center was developed to support AAFPRS members in the process of conducting quality research, while providing funding to complete the essential studies that will meet the needs of the specialty.  This includes providing members with academic training in the principles of clinical and basic science research design, research management and statistical analysis as well as expanding capacity to conduct clinical and basic science research to provide scientifically based evidence to support treatment decisions and recommendations. 

Our goal is to provide a world class Research and Awards Center for members and industry to collaborate while discovering opportunities to improve patient care. In addition to the grants and awards listed the Foundation also provides grant recipients with access to mentors. These individuals are leaders of the foundation as well as AAFPRS members with success in executing successful research projects.

Foundation Awards

The AAFPRS Foundation Awards Program was instituted to recognize research completed and previously presented at an Academy meeting and members who have contributed to the Academy and to their communities.  The Foundation awards are coordinated by the Awards Committee of the AAFPRS Foundation. 


Ben Shuster Memorial Award
The Ben Shuster Memorial Award is presented for the most outstanding research paper by a resident or fellow in training on any clinical work or research in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery delivered at a national meeting (or its equivalent) between March 1 and the following February 28. Each entrant must be the sole or senior author and an AAFPRS Member. Studies prepared during the first year after completion of residency training will be considered, provided research was conducted during the author’s residency or fellowship. A certificate and an award for $1,000 are presented.

Ira Tresley Research Award

The Ira Tresley Research Award recognizes the best original research in facial plastic surgery by an AAFPRS member who has been board certified for at least three years. Papers presented at a national meeting (or its equivalent) between March 1 and February 28, are eligible for this award. A certificate and an award of $1,000 are presented.

Residency Travel Award

Two Residency Travel Awards of $500 each may be awarded to the most outstanding paper in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery primarily authored by a member resident or medical student in training. The paper must be submitted by March 31 for consideration, and to be presented at the year’s Fall Meeting.

To apply for one of the above awards, please complete and return the Foundation Awards Entry Form


Community Service Award

This award may be presented each year to an AAFPRS member who has distinguished himself/herself by providing and/or making possible free medical service to the poor in his/her community.

Efrain Davalos Award*

The Efrain Davalos Award is an international award which may be presented every four or five years in conjunction with the Foundation’s International Symposia. The award recognizes those outside the U.S. and Canada who have made a significant contribution to facial plastic surgery.

F. Mark Rafaty Memorial Award

This award may be presented each year to any AAFPRS member who has made outstanding contributions to facial plastic and reconstructive surgery

John Dickinson Teacher of the Year Award

This award honors an AAFPRS Fellow or Member for sharing knowledge about facial plastic surgery with the effective use of audiovisuals in any one year.  The Awards Committee seeks nominations from the Electronic Media Subcommittee each year.

John Orlando Roe Award*

This award, named for John Orlando Roe, the surgeon who accomplished the first rhinoplasty in 1887, includes a certificate and recognition along with 2 hours of research mentoring time to the graduate fellow who submits the best clinical research paper written during fellowship.

Sir Harold Delf Gillies Award**

This award is named for Sir Harold Delf Gillies, a British otolaryngologist who in September 1917 described the tubed pedicle flap. Dr. Gillies frequently visited the U.S. and lectured widely to surgeons of various specialties and was given the title “Father of Plastic Surgery.” A certificate and recognition is provided along with 2 hours of research mentoring time to the graduate fellow who submits the best science research paper written during fellowship.

William Wright Award

This award may be presented each year to an AAFPRS member who has made outstanding contributions to facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

To apply for one of the above awards, please complete and return the Foundation Awards Nomination Form

 All nominations for the Community Service, F. Mark Rafaty Memorial, John Dickinson Teacher and William Wright Awards may be submitted by AAFPRS members to the Awards Committee no later than March 31.

Leslie Bernstein Grants

The Leslie Bernstein Grants Program is generously funded by an endowment from Leslie Bernstein, MD, DDS. The program is coordinated by the Research/EBM Leadership and Committee of the AAFPRS Foundation There are three grants available through the program:

The Bernstein Grant
The purpose of the grant is to encourage original research projects which will advance facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. A $25,000 grant may be awarded annually to an Academy Member. Grants may be used as seed money for research projects. 

The Investigator Development Grant
The purpose of the Investigator Development Grant is to support the work of a young faculty member in facial plastic surgery conducting significant clinical or laboratory research and involved in the training of resident surgeons in research. One $15,000 grant may be awarded each year.

Resident  and Fellows-in Training Research Grant
The purpose of the Resident Research Grant is to stimulate resident research in projects that are well-conceived and scientifically valid. The resident grant is a $5,000 award given to residents who are AAFPRS members.

*Coordinated by the International Symposium Committee and the AAFPRS Foundation Board of Directors.
**The Roe and Gillies Awards are automatically selected from papers submitted by Academy fellows during their fellowship year. Paper should not be published prior to review.

If you are an active AAFPRS Member and would like to learn more about any of the above research opportunities, please email research@aafprs.org