CATCH Resident Grant Program

The CATCH Resident Grants program, operated by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), supports pediatric residents in the United States and Canada who aim to improve access to optimal child health through community-based initiatives. The program is part of the AAP’s broader Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) initiative and awards $2,000 annually on a competitive basis. It emphasizes community engagement, creative solutions to child health disparities, and sustainable local impact. All applicants must demonstrate robust external community partnerships and contribute significantly to their proposed projects. Projects eligible for funding must either be new to the applicant's community or represent a new branch of an existing initiative. Planning and/or implementation activities are permitted, but if a proposal focuses solely on implementation, applicants must show evidence of prior planning. Funded initiatives should include clearly defined goals and measurement methods and adhere strictly to budget and unallowable cost guidelines. Budget categories include personnel, meetings, participant expenses, and other project-specific costs, but explicitly exclude clinical payments, fringe benefits, indirect costs, or capital equipment. Eligibility is limited to U.S. and Canadian pediatric residents with at least one and a half years of training remaining as of June 2026, or those who will serve as chief residents by that time. Applicants must also hold both national and chapter memberships in AAP. Prior recipients may reapply only if their previous grants have been fully closed. Teams of up to four residents may apply, and collaborative projects with community partners are a mandatory requirement for all applicants. The application process involves several steps: confirming eligibility, selecting a project focus, identifying a mentor, and engaging with community organizations. Applicants must submit an online application by January 20, 2026, at 11:59 PM Central Time. Required uploads include a completed budget template, signed Mentor Form, and a fiscal agent’s letter of intent. Optional attachments may include supporting materials such as letters of support or references. A fiscal agent—such as a school, nonprofit, or community-based organization—is required to manage grant funds and mitigate the applicant’s tax liability. Applications are reviewed by AAP CATCH Facilitators and District Resident Liaisons. Final decisions will be communicated by April 10, 2026. Funded projects begin June 1, 2026, and must be completed within 12 months. A final project and financial report are due within 60 days of the project’s end date, with one extension available upon request. Special funding opportunities are available for projects aligned with topics prioritized by various AAP Sections and Councils, such as oral health, emergency medicine, developmental pediatrics, or environmental health. Residents are strongly encouraged to seek feedback from their District Resident Liaison or Chapter CATCH Facilitator and to begin drafting their application early to allow time for revisions. Strong applications are expected to demonstrate a deep understanding of the community served, engage stakeholders meaningfully, and build sustainable frameworks for lasting child health improvements.

Seek feedback from CATCH District Resident Liaisons or Chapter CATCH Facilitators to strengthen your application. Projects with CATCH network input receive additional credit