Research Grants

The Wilderness Medical Society (WMS) is keenly interested in fostering awareness and appreciation among healthcare professionals and scientists for the research of health-related concerns in outdoor and wilderness activities.

  • The Charles S. Houston and Research-in-Training Awards are selected on a competitive basis to provide funding for a research project in the field of wilderness medicine.
  • The Charles S. Houston Award is for medical students and the Research-in-Training Award is for residents and fellows of an accredited graduate medical education program or doctoral candidates working towards a PhD.
  • The Herbert N. Hultgren Award is for members of the WMS.
  • The Humanitarian Aid Grant was developed in response to the January 2010 Haitian earthquake in an attempt to support WMS members involved in humanitarian and disaster response efforts. However, the Humanitarian Research Aid Grant applications will be considered for projects worldwide, regardless of country.

Criteria: The successful applicant will submit a project proposal likely to result in a substantive contribution to the field of wilderness and environmental medicine. The successful applicant will be expected to conduct a well-defined project during the ensuing year and present an abstract of his/her findings at a future WMS Annual Meeting.  

A wide variety of research projects are acceptable for submission, including but not limited to:

  • clinical investigation
  • laboratory (“basic”) science
  • epidemiological surveys
  • development of new techniques or novel application of existing techniques
  • improvements in equipment design or use
  • public health and information
  • injury prevention
  • epidemiological surveys
  • disease tracking
  • use of GIS
  • new technology in humanitarian response

Projects may be part of existing research programs, but should be easily distinguishable as a separate component. It is expected that projects will result in an article for publication in the peer-reviewed medical literature.

WMS Research Awards are not subject to institutional indirect costs.

Application: Please see the "Grant Application" tab.

The WMS research grant program is dependent on the generous donations of WMS members. Please take a moment to make a donation. Thank you.