AIM Research Impact Program

Launching early-career scientists and advancing evidence-based treatments and interventions for youth mental health.

AIM Clinical Science Fellowship

The AIM Clinical Science Fellowship (“CSF”) supports postdoctoral researchers implementing evidence-based youth mental health innovations – new therapies, diagnostic tools, early interventions, and emerging technologies. Fellows lead a one-year project designed for short-term dissemination, adoption, or scale, while meaningfully engaging a youth co-researcher through AIM’s Ideas Lab.

Application window: February 1 – March 15, 2026 (11:59 p.m. PST)

Download Full Application & Requirements Here (PDF)

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Fellowship Overview

  • Award: $25,000–$50,000 total project budget

  • Duration: 1 year

  • Awards available: Approximately 3-5 fellows

  • Focus: Implementation or dissemination of evidence-based approaches

  • Population: Children, adolescents, young adults (birth-26)

  • Award Selection & Notification: May, 2026

Who Should Apply

This fellowship is designed for postdoctoral researchers across psychiatry, psychology, neuroscience, public health, and related behavioral or social sciences who are ready to move evidence-based youth mental health research into real-world settings.

You’re a strong fit if you:

  • Are implementing or disseminating an evidence-based youth mental health approach

  • Can demonstrate readiness for near-term real-world impact

  • Work with or for youth from birth to age 26

  • Have support from a senior researcher or program advisor

  • Are excited to partner with youth as co-researchers

2026 Key Dates

  • Applications open: February 1, 2026

  • Application deadline: March 15, 2026 (11:59 p.m. PST)

  • Notification of selection: By May 30, 2026

  • Anticipated start: July 1 or September 1, 2026

Review the full application materials before starting. Once begun, the application must be completed in a single session.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AIM Clinical Science Fellowship?

The AIM Clinical Science Fellowship (“CSF”) is a core program of the AIM Research Impact Fund. The CSF is designed to foster the next generation of youth mental health researchers by supporting postdoctoral fellows in implementing youth mental health research innovations, including new therapies, diagnostic tools, early interventions, and emerging technologies.

During the one-year Fellowship period, Fellows are expected to conduct a defined research project, meaningfully integrate a youth co-researcher through AIM’s Ideas Lab, and participate in regular engagement with the AIM team for coordination and support.

As part of the program, Fellows receive funding and structured opportunities for connection and alignment with AIM, while maintaining scientific independence and leadership of their work.

AIM conducts an initial review to assess eligibility, completeness, and alignment with program priorities. Final funding decisions are made by the AIM Scientific Advisory Board using the following considerations:

  • Alignment with AIM’s mission, including a focus on applied research that improves youth mental health outcomes in real-world settings
  • Strength and feasibility of the proposed implementation approach, including readiness for short-term scale, dissemination, or adoption
  • Relevance and potential impact for youth with lived experience, including children, adolescents, or young adults (birth to age 26)
  • Scientific rigor and appropriateness of the proposed methods within a one-year fellowship period
  • Applicant preparedness and supervisor/advisory support, including involvement of a senior researcher or program advisor
  • Quality and feasibility of the proposed youth mentorship component, including meaningful inclusion of an AIM Youth Ambassador as a co-researcher
  • Appropriateness of the proposed budget relative to project scope and goals

Applicants may request support for research-related expenses, partial salary support, or a combination of both, within a total proposed budget of $25,000-$50,000.

Salary support, when requested, is intended to provide protected time for fellows to carry out the AIM-funded project and must be directly tied to the proposed research activities and level of effort. AIM does not provide full salary replacement and does not support ongoing employment beyond the fellowship period.

Allowable costs may include personnel support, participant or subject payments, supplies, travel, and other expenses necessary to complete the proposed project. Benefits (e.g., health insurance) may be included and should be incorporated into the total budget request.

Selected Fellows will be required to meaningfully integrate one to two youth co-researchers into their lab or project during the Fellowship period.

Each Fellow will be paired with Youth Ambassador(s) from AIM’s high school Youth Participatory Action Research program, the AIM Ideas Lab, and will mentor the student(s) virtually over the course of the Fellowship. Youth Ambassadors are AIM-affiliated high school students who have foundational training in youth mental health and research methods.

Youth co-researchers may assist with aspects of the project such as literature review, data collection, or other activities aligned with their interests and skills, as appropriate to the scope of the research and the Fellowship timeline.

AIM provides guidance and support to Fellows to ensure youth engagement is meaningful, ethical, and age-appropriate, while allowing flexibility to adapt to the needs and structure of each project. Additional details and expectations related to youth co-research will be shared with Fellows following selection

Due to staff capacity, AIM is unable to provide individualized feedback on applications.

AIM does not provide indirect costs or institutional overhead, and funds may not be used for general-purpose laboratory equipment or multipurpose software.

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AIM Youth Mental Health is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Federal Tax ID: #47-3992060