Pathways Program Application Instructions

The Pathways 2-day conference is scheduled for Monday, June 14 through Tuesday, June 15, 2027, at the ASHA National Office in Rockville, Maryland. Accepted participants are required to attend in person.

To apply, access the online application system during the application period.

Complete the online form, upload all the following materials, and submit the entire application package by 11:59 p.m. EST, Tuesday, December 1, 2026.

Page limits do not include references. Pages should be 12-point font and single-spaced with one-inch margins. All application materials must be uploaded as PDFs.

1. Cover letter (limit 2 pages)
   Describe the amount and depth of your research experience and future research career goals. Explain what you are looking to gain by participating in the Pathways program and how you would leverage the Pathways experience to advance your clinical research career. Provide any further information you want reviewers to know regarding your career trajectory or any special circumstances affecting your history.
2. Research interest statement (limit 3 pages)
   Describe your area of research, the need to further the science in that area, and the clinically relevant questions your program of research addresses or will address.
3. CV (limit 5 pages) Include the following sections. Within each section, list items in reverse chronologic order:
   • Professional Preparation. List your education and training, including postdoctoral and fellowship training, as applicable.
   • Appointments, Positions, and Honors
     • List all academic, professional, or institutional appointments and positions.
     • List any relevant academic and professional achievements and honors (e.g., any clinical licensures and specialty board certifications, scholarships, traineeships, fellowships, development awards, academic awards, loan repayment awards, and grants that provided you with financial support but for which you served a role other than Principal Investigator (PI), co-Principal Investigator (co-PI)/Multiple Principal Investigator (MPI), or co-Investigator (e.g. Research Assistant, Postdoctoral Fellow on an Institutional Training Grant).
   • Publications
     • You may include manuscripts currently under peer review. Be sure to include the journal name(s).
     • Do NOT include any papers that are in preparation but not yet submitted or non-peer reviewed publications (e.g., the ASHA Leader or SIG Perspectives prior to 2018).
   • Grants: List grants you have submitted as the PI, co-PI/MPI, or co-Investigator in the following categories:
     • Extramural Grants
       • Funded
       • Pending
       • Unfunded
     • Intramural grants
       • Funded

Note: Any grant for which you served a role other than PI, co-PI/MPI, or co-Investigator should be included in the section on Positions, Scientific Appointments, and Honors.

4. Letter of recommendation and support*
   • All letters must be on letterhead and signed.
   • Student and postdoc applicants must provide a letter from the primary advisor that (1) describes the applicant's potential as a researcher and (2) states the advisor's support of participation in the program.
   • Faculty applicants must provide a letter from the department chair (or equivalent) that (1) describes the applicant's promise as a researcher and (2) expresses commitment to supporting the applicant (e.g., via release time, access to research resources, and other means) to develop an independent, funded research program.

*To propose an alternative individual to write the letter of recommendation/support, please send a message (including rationale) to research@asha.org prior to applying.