For over 20 years, the ATS Research Program has supported early career investigators during their transition to independent research careers. Since the program’s inception, the American Thoracic Society and its partners have invested over $26 million to support more than 400 research grants. These studies have resulted in significant advances in respiratory health, including a better understanding of lung diseases, stem cell applications, pulmonary fibrosis, acute lung injuries, and sleep hygiene.
In the 2026 grant cycle, the ATS awarded 12 grants totaling approximately $800,000. When traditional funding becomes unpredictable, donor commitment provides the steady foundation that keeps lifesaving respiratory science moving forward.
ATS 2026 International Conference participants can help fund this critical program, meet grantees, and network by attending the ATS Research Program Benefit. The Benefit will be held from 6–7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 16, at the Hyatt Regency Orlando Hotel. Each ticket includes a tax-deductible donation to the ATS Research Program.
Hors-d’oeuvres, beer, and wine will be served at the event. Business attire is recommended.
“The Research Program Benefit is a signature event of the International Conference,” said ATS President Raed A. Dweik, MD, MBA, ATSF. “It’s a great forum to connect with other attendees at the start of the conference while supporting research opportunities for the future leaders of critical care, pulmonary, and sleep medicine.”
2026 Research Program Grant Recipients
ATS/Chiesi USA, Inc. Research Grant in Obstructive Lung Disease
Jeong Yun, MD, MPH
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
“Cytotoxic T Cells as Immune Biomarkers of COPD Progression”
Alveolar Capillary Dysplasia with Misalignment of the Pulmonary Veins
David Frank, MD, PhD
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
“Delivery of Endothelial Cell-Targeted DNA Lipid Nanoparticles for Lung Capillary Hypoplasia”
ATS Unrestricted Research Grants
Aurore Perrault, PhD
Woolcock Institute of Medical Research
“Understanding the Influence of the Menstrual Cycle on Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity”
Frances Mabrey, MD, MS
University of Washington
“Paving the Way for Real-Time Subphenotyping in Sepsis”
Georgios Kitsios, MD, PhD
University of Pittsburgh
“Candida-Associated Neutrophilic Dysfunction and Lung Injury (CANDi-LUNG)”
Marika Orlov, MD, PhD
University of Colorado
“Gut Derived Signals Alter Susceptibility to Bacterial Pneumonia”
Peter Kitrick Moore, MD
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
“Deciphering Plasminogen’s Role in the Fibrinolytic Environment during Pleural Infections”
Rebecca Hough, MD, PhD
Columbia University
“Immunometabolism in the Pulmonary Endothelium as a Mediator of Acute Lung Injury”
Early Career Investigator Award in Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Amber Meservey, MD
University of Pennsylvania
“Functional Status Biomarkers in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Longitudinal Proteomic Analysis”
Daniel Colon Hidalgo, MD
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
“EC-SOD as a Regulator of Platelet Activation and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Sickle Cell PH”
Guolun Wang, PhD
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
“Enhancer Mapping for Faithful Restoration of FOXF1 Expression in Alveolar Capillary Dysplasia”
Stefanie Sveiven, PhD
UCSF
“Hyperoxia-Responsive Pulmonary Venous Endothelial Proliferation in Alveolar Development and Injury”
Those who would like to make a gift to the ATS Research Program directly can do so here. Every dollar is used to advance lifesaving research to prevent, treat, and cure respiratory disease.
Attendees can purchase their ticket or table package with logo recognition as part of their registration for the ATS 2026 International Conference. Benefit tickets will also be available for purchase at the door. General admission Supporter tickets are $350 ($200 tax deductible) and include access to the ATS 2026 Donor Cafe. The Founder package is $1,000 ($700 tax deductible) and includes two tickets to the ATS Research Program Benefit, an invitation to the ATS Donor Reception, and access to the Donor Café.
Institutional sponsorship packages, which include logo recognition and other benefits, can be purchased through ATS 2026 registration or by contacting Delia Naughton, LMSW, director, ATS philanthropy at [email protected].
Corporate sponsorship packages, which include logo recognition and other benefits, can be purchased by contacting Meredith Smalstig, associate director, sponsorships and industry programs, at [email protected].
For questions or additional information, please email [email protected].
The ATS thanks Chiesi USA, GSK, Insmed Incorporated, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Genentech, and United Therapeutics for their support of the ATS 2026 Research Program Benefit.
Extend Your ATS 2026 Experience with ATS NOW
ATS NOW offers conference highlights, peer-reviewed sessions, and access to leading experts in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. ATS 2026 attendees receive complimentary access to the platform through the rest of the calendar year!