The A. Ward Ford Memorial Research Grant is designed to support direct clinical or basic science research investigating current use or potential new applications of laser or other light-based therapy. Applicants must be enrolled in or have completed an MD residency or PhD post-doctoral training at the time of application and must be a member or applicant for membership in the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) at the time of the award. Grants up to $65,000 will be awarded for one-year projects. The application deadline is June 1, and successful applicants will be notified by the end of June. Projects must be completed between July 1 of the application year and June 30 of the following year, with possible extensions upon request and approval.

Applicants should demonstrate a strong research background, a clear presentation of the research question, design, budget, and institutional support, including a letter from the training program director and mentor if in training. Grant payment is made in two installments, with a six-month report required to initiate the second payment. Grant recipients are required to present their research at the ASLMS annual meeting and submit a manuscript to "Lasers in Surgery and Medicine".