The American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) Dr. Eddie Méndez Fellowship Award

The AHNS Foundation and the AHNS Diversity Service are excited to announce the AHNS Dr. Eddie Méndez Research Fellowship Award!

Application cycle will open September 2, 2025 and close on October 20, 2025.

Thanks to the very generous contributions of the American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) members and supporters, AHNS Research and Education Foundation, is pleased to announce the second offering of the Dr. Eddie Méndez Fellowship Award.

The AHNS is honoring our colleague, friend, the late Dr. Eduardo “Eddie” Méndez, a prominent physician-scientist who earned his MD with honors from the University of Maryland in 1999. He completed an Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery residency training program at the University of Washington followed by his Advanced Head and Neck Surgical Oncology and Microvascular Reconstructive fellowship training at the University of Washington. In 2006 he became faculty at the University of Washington. Eddie became the director of the Translational Research Program at the affiliated Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. He led an NIH-funded laboratory examining the genetic expression of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma in effort to identify novel treatment pathways.

Dr. Méndez was passionate about research and training the next generation of head and neck surgeon-scientists. Therefore, this award is intended to expose an under-represented minority medical student to the field of Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery. Students with an interest in exposure to head and neck oncologic research are encouraged to apply. To round out the experience, clinical exposure and direct patient care will be a component of this year long research experience. Currently, less than 5% of practicing Otolaryngologists identify as minority providers. The AHNS recognizes the importance of increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in our surgical subspecialty to achieve the best outcomes for all head and neck cancer patients we serve.

The Dr. Eddie Méndez Fellowship awardee will receive $10,000. The recipient is expected to work with their research mentor to create a budget related to their proposed research. It is expected that a portion of the budget be used for travel expenses to the AHNS annual meeting. The remaining funds may be used at the discretion of the recipient and mentor.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Completion of at least M2 year prior to fellowship year (June 2026)
• Identify as an underrepresented in the scientific workforce based on AAMC January 2021 definitions, including:
  • individuals from racial/ethnic groups: African American/Black, Hispanic/Latin Origin, Asian Pacific Islander, American Indian
  • Individuals who are first-generation college graduates
• Copy of your CV

2 Letters of Recommendation:

• Letter of Recommendation from your chosen research mentor
• Letter of Recommendation from Medical School Dean’s stating in good standing, and approval for 1 year gap during medical school to undertake this research fellowship.
  Students must be in good standing at an accredited US medical school, or US school (see eligibility criteria)
• Personal statement: goals of research experience, how this fellowship experience will impact the applicant’s career trajectory, why this particular research subject and/or lab is of interest for the applicant and what he/she/they plan to gain from the opportunity (skills/knowledge) (2 pages maximum 1,000 words single spaced) Please include in the personal statement your underrepresented minority status.

Research Proposal:

The applicant is expected to work with their mentor to help shape the research proposal. Applicants may select a mentor of their choosing. In addition, mentors who have expressed an interest in providing an excellent research experience in head and neck cancer can be found below. All areas of research are welcome, including but not limited to basic science, computational, and clinical based research. The proposed project should be briefly described, however the applicant is not expected to prepare a scientific proposal.  (Not to exceed 3 pages)

• This will necessitate the applicant identifying a potential mentor(s). The student will need to speak to the mentor to determine the feasibility of the “match.” The student will need to determine if the research project and opportunity with the mentor is sufficient to sustain a 1-year fellowship.

Research Expectations:

• Awardees are expected to submit an abstract for oral presentation at the AHNS annual meeting at COSM. Recipients who are unable to prepare an abstract for COSM must notify the AHNS office.
• In addition, the AHNS Dr. Eddie Méndez Fellowship in Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery awardee will have the opportunity to present their research during the AHNS Awards Ceremony, which takes place during COSM 2027 April 7-11, 2027 | Seattle Convention Center’s Arch Building and the Sheraton Grand Hotel Seattle, Washington.
• Any published manuscript supported by the AHNS Dr. Eddie Méndez Fellowship in Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery award should cite the AHNS Research & Education Foundation as a funding source.

The AHNS Dr. Mendez Award to Disseminate 2025

Applications open September 2nd, submission deadline is October 20, 2025.