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Educational Research AwardThe SOFT Educational Research Award (ERA) recognizes student researchers and supports academic training and research in forensic toxicology. Each award provides $2,500 toward travel expenses and complimentary basic registration to attend the SOFT Annual Meeting and present the recipient’s research. Support the next generation of forensic toxicologists. Contributions to the ERA/YSMA Fund help students and early-career scientists share their research and participate in SOFT’s professional community. Donate to the ERA/YSMA Fund2026 RecipientsGrayce Behnke Brain: Femoral Blood Ratios of Amphetamine, Benzoylecgonine, Cocaethylene, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, and Fentanyl Samantha Swan A Data Processing Framework for the Untargeted Analysis of HRMS Data to Enable NPS Detection and Metabolomics in Forensic Casework Who Can Apply?Applicants must be conducting forensic toxicology research while enrolled in a master’s, pre-doctoral, post-doctoral, or medical residency academic program. Research may address drug detection and quantitation, absorption, distribution and elimination, drugs and human performance, or other areas relevant to forensic toxicology. Individuals who completed their formal research after the previous year’s application deadline may apply at the next deadline, even if they are no longer enrolled. SOFT membership is not required. However, if the applicant is not a SOFT member, the person providing the recommendation letter must be a Full or Charter Member. Master’s applicants are evaluated separately from applicants in pre-doctoral, post-doctoral, and medical residency programs. When to ApplyApplication deadline: The first Friday in April of the meeting year. Recipients are selected during the first week of June. Application information for the next award cycle will be posted here when available. Application RequirementsA complete application must include:
Important abstract submission instructions: Submit your abstract with your ERA application. Do not submit it separately to the Annual Meeting scientific program at that time. If you are not selected for an award, the Awards Committee will provide instructions for submitting your abstract before the scientific program deadline. Selection and RecognitionThe SOFT Awards Committee evaluates applications based on research excellence, relevance to forensic toxicology, and other established selection criteria. Awards are not guaranteed in every category each year. Recipients present their research at the SOFT Annual Meeting. The Scientific Program Committee determines the presentation format. Recipients also receive a certificate of recognition at the SOFT Business Meeting. Past Recipients2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1990 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 About the AwardOriginally known as the SOFT Education Award, the program became the Educational Research Award in 1982. Support from member donations, membership dues, and Society funds has helped the program grow from a single $500 award to the current $2,500 awards plus meeting registration. Make a contribution to the ERA/YSMA FundQuestions?Contact the SOFT Office for questions about eligibility, application requirements, or the application process. |
