These grants are designed to support single event programs that promote DEI initiatives in the field of orthopaedic surgery for learners and/or practicing orthopaedic surgeons.

• American Association of Latino Orthopaedic Surgeons (AALOS) - $17,008
  • The AALOS Pathway to Residency Program provides comprehensive support to URM students, including financial assistance, educational resources, and mentorship. A robust away rotation experience and targeted mentoring during the application process will enhance URM students' rankings and increase their match rates. Our holistic approach ensures that students have the knowledge, resources, and mentorship needed to navigate the orthopaedic surgery away rotation and match process successfully.
• California University of Science and Medicine, RJOS, OSIG - $2,628
  • The grant supports the Inland Empire Women Orthopedic Surgery Skills Workshop that aims to empower female high school and medical students from low socioeconomic areas. Hosted at the California University of Science and Medicine (CUSM), the workshop includes a panel of distinguished women orthopedic surgeons, hands-on skill stations and networking opportunities. This event is designed to teach surgical skills but also to inspire and support young women in pursuing careers in orthopedic surgery.
• Curators of the University of Missouri - $8,000
  • The Bridging the Gaps program has welcomed more than 100 students in Columbia, MO over the past two years. After the program's initial success, its reach was broadened through the 2024 AAOS IDEA Grant Program, transforming it into a multicenter event at both the Missouri Orthopaedic Institute in Columbia, MO, and the University Hospital in Kansas City, MO. This year's grant will continue to support the series through lectures on orthopedics, hands-on activities, and mentorship events specifically designed for undergraduate students.
• J. Robert Gladden Orthopedic Society (JRGOS) - $20,000
  • The JRGOS Orthopaedic Resident and Medical Student Research Competition will highlight research from Gladden Resident and Medical Student Members. The Residents and Medical Students will then present to their peers and established surgeons providing not only valuable feedback but also exposure to mentors at every career level. A Mentorship Symposium will focus on topics centered on 'How to Produce Publishable Research'.
• Latino Medican Student Association - $10,000
  • The grant will support the 2025 Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) National Conference. The LMSA National Conference is the largest gathering of Latino medical professionals held annually, bringing together medical students, healthcare professionals, and advocates to enhance healthcare for the Hispanic & Latino/a/x community. The conference aims to enhance medical students' interest in orthopaedic surgery, as well as provide networking and mentoring exposure with orthopaedic surgeons, provide hands-on demonstrations, and offer tools for successful residency applications.
• Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Society: ASAMI-North America - $6,000
  • The fellowship will sponsor surgeons from low-income countries to participate in a traveling fellowship program. The 4-week experience features separate adult and pediatric tracks and provides surgeons from low-income countries with the skills and relationships necessary to become international leaders.
• Nth Dimensions - $45,440
  • Nth Dimensions Medical Student Symposium (MSS) at AAOS and Summer Internship Program (AAOS-NDSI) is a unique opportunity to receive additional professional development and leadership training for students coming from historically black colleges and universities with little-to-no orthopaedic mentoring to become competitive residency applicants. The program will also help fund the summer experience for URM and female students.
• Perry Initiative - $30,000
  • The grant will be directed towards expanding current orthopaedic-themed, hands-on outreach programs at nationwide sites to reach more women high school and medical students and in turn increase medical student and high school student enrollment.  
• Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society (RJOS) - $6,000
  • This program will fund the attendance of female medial students' attendance at AAOS and RJOS Annual Meetings. It will also provide a unique opportunity to be exposed to orthopaedic surgery and specifically network with female orthopaedic surgeons with the goal of increasing the number of future female orthopaedic surgeons.
• Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons (SOMOS) - $9,600
  • The grant will continue to support the E. Anthony Rankin Scholarship Program. This program is meant for medical students from underrepresented gender and racial backgrounds to have the opportunity for exposure to orthopaedic surgery in the military setting and all the subspecialties within orthopaedic surgery.
• Wake Forest University Health Sciences - $6,858.76
  • Initiated in 2023 with support from the AAOS IDEA Grant, the program exposes middle school students to the orthopaedic profession through hands-on skills labs using faculty from diverse backgrounds to broaden the national exposure and reputation of individuals from groups underrepresented in medicine. The goal is to increase the future diversity of the specialty, which benefits patient care and creates more successful departments.