Support for Researchers at ENDO 2026: Grants and Career Opportunities

As a dedicated endocrine scientist and longtime member of the Society, I take pride in the numerous initiatives we offer for both basic and clinical researchers. The Endocrine Society encompasses professionals across various segments of our field, extending from basic research to clinical practice. I would like to focus on the specific efforts we undertake to support endocrine scientists through three main pillars: Presenting, Publishing, and Mentorship.

Presenting

A crucial aspect of our support is highlighted by a newly expanded initiative for ENDO 2026. In January, we announced a one-year extension of our travel grant programs. This expansion provides crucial financial resources that will enable a greater number of researchers to participate in our annual meeting scheduled for June 13 to 16, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois. Approved unanimously by the Board of Directors, this initiative includes an increase in the grant amount, now set at $1,500 for recipients of the Early Investigator Awards, Outstanding Abstract Awards, and Early Career Forum. In addition to this, we will offer up to 200 extra grants of $1,500 to awardees of the Outstanding Abstract Awards, with a slightly higher amount of $1,750 for international recipients. This financial support aims to encourage more scientists to submit their abstracts for presentation at the ENDOExpo, which prominently features over 2,500 abstracts during its poster sessions.

Recognizing the financial challenges many researchers face today, especially within the current funding climate, our Society's backing has never been more critical. We strive to bring together and strengthen the global endocrine research community. Moreover, members who submit their abstracts may have the opportunity to present summaries of their studies in video interviews, which are shared on the Society’s social media platforms. Last year, these videos attracted thousands of views, further promoting the researchers’ work.

Publishing

An additional significant advantage of submitting an abstract to ENDO is the potential for publication in a supplement of our open access journal, the Journal of the Endocrine Society (JES). Each submitted abstract is assigned a digital object identifier (DOI), ensuring broad accessibility and citation of the research. This is just one of the ways we assist our research members in disseminating their findings. Our suite of top-ranked journals has been at the forefront of chronicling significant advancements and discoveries in endocrine science since its inception in 1917. We encourage researchers to submit their manuscripts to our esteemed journals, where members benefit from reduced production costs for accepted works. All submissions undergo meticulous review by key experts in the field, maintaining a high standard of research integrity throughout the peer review and publication processes, thanks to our team of capable editors and editorial board members.

Mentorship

The third essential pillar of our support structure is Mentorship. Our commitment to fostering the growth of both researchers and clinicians is reflected in our numerous programs tailored for early-career professionals. One such program is the Research Experiences for Graduate and Medical Students (REGMS), designed to provide promising students the chance to engage in collaborative lab work under expert mentorship, while also building professional networks and enhancing their skills through year-round initiatives. Applications for REGMS are currently under review. Participants selected for this program will receive funds for a summer research project with an Endocrine Society mentor, engage in virtual career-development training, and present their findings at ENDO 2027, complete with travel grants. They will also receive a $2,500 honorarium alongside a $1,500 travel grant.

Furthermore, our Future Leaders Advancing Research in Endocrinology (FLARE) program aims to support early-career researchers, including graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, clinical fellows, and junior faculty, by providing training in establishing independent research careers and developing leadership skills. We are eager to welcome this year’s FLARE participants to a workshop scheduled for March 26 to 28, during which we often witness significant growth in their confidence.

Knowledge Development

In addition to these three crucial pillars, we continue to provide a variety of rich educational programs aimed at researchers. At ENDO, these offerings include Basic Science Pathways that feature curated content tracks across topics such as Diabetes and Metabolism, Neuroendocrinology, Nuclear Receptors and Signaling, and Reproductive Endocrinology. Our Meet the Professor and Meet the Scientist sessions offer valuable insights from experts addressing various endocrine conditions as well as the latest scientific advancements. Additionally, we will hold a focused Basic Science Summit on Nuclear Receptors this fall in Chicago, with further announcements and calls for abstracts forthcoming.

In light of the increasing financial challenges faced by researchers, the support offered by the Society is crucial. I am proud of the initiatives we are implementing to unite and expand the global endocrine research community. We remain dedicated to our members, to advancing the field of endocrinology, to fostering scientific discovery, and to promoting hormone health as we continue to invest in the future of the endocrine research pipeline for a healthier tomorrow.