The ARO Scholar will have the opportunity to present the results of their current research at the 2026 ARO MidWinter Meeting. During the program the Scholar and their mentor are encouraged to meet regularly. Attendance at the ARO MidWinter Meeting is required; however, if a scheduling conflict arises, exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis. The scholar is required to fulfill the following requirements:

• • Scholar is required to attend the Awards Ceremony
  • Scholar is required to actively participate in the meeting by attending sessions
  • Scholar must complete a post-meeting evaluation survey
  • Scholar must complete a progress report on their accomplishments and experiences as ARO Scholars 
  • Scholars are encouraged to present at the 2026 meeting

Each Award will include:

• • Opportunity to present a poster at the meeting
  • Invitation to attend the 2026 ARO MidWinter Meeting
  • An ARO member mentor and a Career Mentor should the Scholar not have one or either in place
  • Roundtrip coach air fare up to $500 to attend the ARO MidWinter Meeting
  • Up to five (5) nights lodging in the meeting hotel
  • Paid registration for the 2026 MidWinter Meeting
  • Up to $100 for ground transportation to and from the meeting hotel (arrival and departure)
  • Up to $50 per day for five days for meals and miscellaneous expenses
  • $2500 stipend to support summer research 

Students from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply. Individuals who bring unique perspectives or have faced challenges in their academic or research journey are welcome. This includes, but is not limited to, students who are the first in their family to attend college, those from economically or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds, students with disabilities, or those with experiences that are not well represented in the current scientific community.

Applicants must be enrolled in (or planning to attend) an accredited school or university for an undergraduate degree and have an interest in Otolaryngology, Audiology, Hearing Science, or Auditory Neuroscience. The applicant should demonstrate a desire and commitment to research and have one or more designated mentors, who may or may not be based at their home institution. The applicant must have the mentor(s) attest to supporting the scholar's participation in this program. Applicants with ARO members serving as mentors may receive additional consideration. For selected award recipients without ARO-member mentors, the ARO Executive Office may assist with ARO-mentor identification (subject to availability).

 Please read carefully before submitting.

Application Requirements:

All applications must be submitted online. Applicants should have the following documents ready to upload when completing the online application:

• A current curriculum vitae (CV)
• A written statement (500 words or less) summarizing professional goals, description of current or prior research (or interest in research), relevant experience, and what the applicant hopes to gain from attending the ARO MidWinter Meeting (MWM) and conducting summer research. The statement should also include a brief explanation of why the applicant should be selected as a scholar.
• One letter of current and continued support from an ARO member who is willing to serve as a summer research mentor. If the applicant and mentor are not located at the same institution or in the same city, the applicant should describe how they plan to conduct summer research at their mentor’s lab during the summer of 2026. The applicant must have the mentor(s) attest to supporting the scholar's participation in this program. Applicants with ARO members serving as mentors may receive additional consideration. For selected award recipients without ARO-member mentors, the ARO Executive Office may assist with ARO-mentor identification (subject to availability).

Only applications submitted online via the application will be accepted. All materials must be uploaded together to be considered for the program and must be received by October 17, 2025. Questions about the award may be directed to Kristin Johnson in the ARO Executive Office. She may be reached at headquarters@aro.org. The Development, Mentorship, and Advancement Committee will select awardees after scoring all the applications in October-November. Awardees will be notified in November. The Award must be used the year of selection.

Once selected, the Scholar will receive communication from the ARO Executive Office with instructions on how to submit their abstract (if not already submitted), along with information regarding award dispursement and meeting logistics.

In the event that a student is selected for both an ARO Travel Award and the ARO Scholar Award, the student will be required to select only one award and decline the other.