2027 Program for Academic Leadership (PAL) Application

The AAP is now accepting applications for the 2027 PAL Class. (Scroll down to complete the application.)

PAL participants will attend three-day courses during three consecutive AAP Annual Meetings. (2027, 2028, and 2029 for the new class.) PAL is organized around one of three “themes” each year – Academic Department Administration. Teaching & Education, and Research. There are also quarterly online PAL programs outside of the AAP meeting.

Candidates for the program must:

• Be an active member of the Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP) or an active member of the International Society of Physical Rehabilitation and Medicine (ISPRM)*.
• Be full-time faculty members at an Instructor, Assistant Professor or Associate Professor level or be a full-time faculty member of a teaching hospital with an equivalent level to the US academic ranks of Instructor, Assistant Professor or Associate Professor.
• Have a minimum of 2 years (but not more than 8 years) experience post residency/ fellowship at the time of application
• Have demonstrated the desire and ability to assume a leadership role in their department, institution or the specialty of physiatry
• Attend the PAL course during each of three consecutive AAP Annual Meetings.
• Plan and complete a Quality Improvement Project at their institution based on the topic presented at the AAP meeting. A poster presentation of the project will be due for the following year’s meeting.

*The Physiatry Foundation will support one (1) International PAL participant in each class with a stipend to cover the $1200 tuition and partially cover travel expenses.

Nomination materials:

• Candidates must be nominated by their PM&R academic department, division chair or chair equivalent. If the institution has no PM&R department or division, then a nomination can also come from a member of the AAP Board of Trustees or AAP Committee Chair in addition to their current Chair (non-PM&R). The nomination letter (1-2 pages) should discuss the candidate’s past achievements, current academic activities and potential for future academic success. Applications will not be considered without this nomination letter.
• Candidate’s current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• A 500-word personal statement confirming the candidate’s academic career goals and desire to participate in this program
• Optional for International applications – Submit a letter of support from your national PM&R society or ISPRM.

More information on the PAL Program.