AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS
Opportunities for Aid & Recognition
ACOS-MSS works to keep all of our members up-to-date on opportunities to receive financial support and professional recognition. Please continue to check this page for updates on new opportunities and upcoming deadlines.
Upcoming Scholarships
Fall 2026 Conference Registration Scholarship
Timeline: TBD
The cost of early bird registration ($150 each) will be awarded to up to 20 members who demonstrate financial need and must pay for all or part of conference attendance out-of-pocket.
Fall 2026 Conference Travel Scholarship
Timeline: TBD
$250 each will be awarded to up to 20 members who demonstrate financial need and must pay for all or part of their travel expenses out-of-pocket.
4th Year Scholarship
Timeline: September 2026
5 ACOS-MSS 4th Year members will receive a $500 scholarship intended to aid in the cost of residency applications, interview travel, and moving.
Award Programs
Student Doctor and Researcher of the Month
Timeline: Selected once a month
Each month, the national ACOS-MSS Executive Board recognizes one chapter member who demonstrates commitment to the surgical education of osteopathic medical students through service, leadership, research, or mentorship.
Research Awards - Poster and Podium
Timeline: Selected at the Fall and Spring Conferences
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes to be awarded to students presenting exceptional original research in the category of poster presentations and podium presentations.
Chapter Community Service Award
Timeline: Selected Spring Conferences
Community service projects will be selected based on each chapter’s submitted annual report. Selected projects will present a podium presentation at the Spring conference. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places will be awarded with a monetary award intended to help continue the chapter’s community service efforts.
Robert C. Erwin Literary Award
The Robert C. Erwin Literary Awards honor ACOS residents and students who have authored outstanding original scientific manuscripts. Supported by a generous grant from the ACOS Trust Fund, up to five resident and five student recipients will receive national recognition, a commemorative plaque presented at the Annual Clinical Assembly, and a monetary award ranging from $250 to $1,500.
Open to ACOS members in training who serve as the primary author, submissions must reflect scholarly integrity, follow manuscript guidelines, and focus on one of the recognized surgical specialties. Papers must be received by ACOS no later than June 1st.
You’ve dedicated time to meaningful research, now is your chance to have your work recognized nationally.
*June 1 deadline has passed. We are not currently accepting Applications.
April 2026 Student Doctor the Month
Maria Fioletova, NSU-KPCOM, OMS-III
April 2026 Student Researcher of the Month
Drew Alessi, Touro-COM, OMS-II
Previous Student Doctor of the Year (SDOY) and Student Researcher of the Year (SROY) Recipients
- 2022 SDOY – Kaivon Kouhestani, VCOM-Virginia, OMS-III
- 2023 SDOY – Denise Nemeth, UIWSOM, OMS-III
- 2024-2025 SDOY – Manogna Nuthi, AZCOM, OMS-III
- 2025-2026 SDOY – Katie Nichols, LECOM-Seton Hill, OMS-II
- 2025-2026 SROY – Olivia Simcox, MU-WCOM, OMS-II