Don Pedersen Research Grants Program

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Don Pedersen Research Grant Call for Proposals is open from March 3 to September 28, 2026.

Are you looking to jumpstart your research career? The program is intended to foster PA faculty development in research. The program encourages research about both PA education and PA workforce issues. It is not intended to fund research on clinical practice.

Grants of up to $10,500 may be awarded, with a total possible allotment of $21,000.

While proposals from all eligible applicants regarding all aspects of PA education and workforce issues are welcome, preference will favor: 

  • PA faculty or full-time PA program staff members who are early-career or new to research who have not been previously funded by another PAEA research grant program
  • PA faculty or full-time PA program staff members who are early-career or new to research who partner with senior researcher co-investigators
  • Proposals that address PAEA’s priority areas:
    • Increasing capacity in clinical education
    • Promoting overall fairness in PA faculty and/or student recruitment and retention.

Submission and Deadlines

Learn more about the program, evaluation criteria, and formatting requirements in the submission guidelines. Submit your application by 11:59 pm ET on September 28, 2026.

Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Take a look at some frequently asked questions we’ve answered. You might find what you’re looking for!

Questions?

Questions concerning this grant program should be addressed to the Research team.

History

The Don Pedersen Research Grants program initially began in 1997 as the Association of Physician Assistant Programs Research Institute Small Grants program. Pedersen’s first donation to the program occurred that same year. The present endowment, with donations and subsequent board contributions, was created in 2013 to fully fund the program. The name of the grants program was then changed to the Don Pedersen Research Grants program to honor Pedersen’s generous contributions.

Learn about past award winners and their research

  • Alicia Klein, EdD, MS, PA-C, Oklahoma Baptist University PA Program
  • Kate Schewe, MSPA, PA-C, Sullivan University

  • Sharona Kanofsky, MSc, PA-C, CCPA, University of Toronto
  • Jurga Marshall, DMS, PA-C, Seton Hall University

  • Stephanie Neary, MPA, MMS, PA-C, Yale PA Online Program
  • Daniel Thibodeau, DHSc, MHP, PA-C, Eastern Virginia Medical School PA Program

  • Susannah Jenkins, MPAS, PA-C, George Washington University
  • Lillian Navarro-Reynolds, MS, PA-C, Oregon Health & Science University
  • Read about the recipients here.

 

  • Samuel Paik, MSPAS, PA-C, Charles Drew University

  • Mirela Bruza-Augatis, MS, PA-C, Seton Hall University
  • Bethany Grubb, MPH, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, University of Texas Southwestern

  • Sara Lolar, MS, PA-C, Wayne State University
  • Carey Barry, MHS, PA-C, Northeastern University
  • Chris Gillette, PhD, Wake Forest University

  • Shannon Crabtree, MMS, PA-C, Northwestern University
  • Darin Ryujin, MS, MPAS, PA-C, University of Utah
  • Virginia Valentin, DrPH, PA-C, University of Utah

  • Perri Morgan, Phd, PA-C, Duke University

  • Sheena D. Brown, PhD, MSCR, Mercer University
  • Kassidy James, MHS, PA-C, UT Southwestern Medical Center
  • FJ Gino Gianola, MA, PA, DFAAPA, MEDEX Northwest

  • Stephanie Joseph Gilkey, MS, PA-C, DFAAPA, Wayne State University
  • Rebecca L. Rebman, PhD, PA-C, Indiana University School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
  • Heather Bidinger, MMS, PA-C, St. Catherine University
  • Genevieve DelRosario, MHS, PA-C, Saint Louis University

2014 Recipients
  • Jeffrey M. Williams, MPAS, PA-C, UT Southwestern Medical Center
  • Margaret Gradison, MD, MHS-CL, FAAFP, Duke University
  • Nicholas M. Hudak, MPA, MSEd, PA-C, Duke University
2013 Recipients
  • Tanya Gregory, PhD, Wake Forest University
  • Kristine Himmerick, MS, MPAS, PA-C, Northern Arizona University
  • Donald Coerver, PhD, PA-C, MEDEX Northwest
2012 Recipients
  • Bettie Coplan, MPAS, PA-C, Northern Arizona University
  • Gerald Kayingo, PhD, PA-C, Yale University
  • Ann Schultz, MPAS, PA-C, University of Southern California
2011 Recipients
  • Darron T. Smith, PhD, PA-C, Wichita State University
  • Gerald Kayingo, PhD, PA-C, Yale University
  • John Mabee, PhD, PA-C, University of Southern California