Announcing the 2026 STFM Project Fund Recipients
STFM has selected two research projects to receive funding through the STFM Project Fund starting in 2026.
April 13, 2026—STFM has selected two research projects to receive funding through the STFM Project Fund starting in 2026. This program encourages STFM Collaboratives and Special Project Teams to plan, develop, implement, evaluate, and disseminate findings from education-related scholarly projects. Each year, STFM selects projects to receive funding through the fund. The two projects receiving funding starting in 2026 are:
- Using Artificial Intelligence Large Language Model Chatbots to Optimize Creation and Utilization of Individualized Learning Plans in Family Medicine Residency, led by Tana Chongsuwat, MD, MPH, McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University/Erie-Humboldt Park Program
- Building a Pathway for Family Physicians, Residents, and Medical Students to Improve Scholarship, led by Lauren Harriett, DO, MBA, University of Chicago Department of Family Medicine
Each project is receiving $10,000 for 2 years through the STFM Project Fund. Thank you to the researchers for their work on these projects and congratulations to them for receiving this funding. Learn more about each project below.
Project: Using Artificial Intelligence Large Language Model Chatbots to Optimize Creation and Utilization of Individualized Learning Plans in Family Medicine Residency
- Principal Investigator: Tana Chongsuwat, MD, MPH, McGaw Medical. Center of Northwestern University/Erie-Humboldt Park Program
- STFM Collaborative(s): New Faculty Collaborative and Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) Assessments Collaborative
- Award: $10,000 for 2 years
Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs) are required by the ACGME, yet their effectiveness varies due to inconsistent faculty readiness and challenges incorporating meaningful feedback within competency-based medical education. This project addresses these gaps by evaluating AI-assisted tools to support goal writing and progress tracking in family medicine residency ILPs.Through a mixed-methods randomized controlled trial, the study will compare usual ILP processes with AI-supported approaches to assess satisfaction, goal quality, and perceived support. By reducing administrative burden and enhancing coaching conversations, this work aims to strengthen self-directed learning and prepare residents for lifelong professional development.
Project: Building a Pathway for Family Physicians, Residents, and Medical Students to Improve Scholarship
- Principal Investigator: Lauren Harriett, DO, MBA, University of Chicago Department of Family Medicine
- STFM Collaborative(s): Learning Network Leaders Collaborative
- Award: $10,000 for 2 years
Aligned with the STFM Strategic Plan and ABFM and ACGME recommendations, the Family Medicine Learning Network Leaders Collaborative will create a new pathway for medical students to engage in faculty-mentored scholarly activity within a family medicine learning network.Supporting the National Research Strategy for Family Medicine, the initiative will recruit three medical students from different schools to participate in mentored projects, identify and assess family medicine scholarship champions nationwide, and disseminate findings and resources through conferences, publications, and online platforms. These efforts will strengthen early scholarly engagement, expand the culture of inquiry, build research capacity, and increase peer-reviewed scholarship addressing family medicine priorities.
More About the STFM Project Fund
The STFM Project Fund is coordinated by the STFM Foundation Executive Committee and funded through the STFM Foundation. STFM looks to fund projects that benefit members, STFM, and the discipline of family medicine. The project should also provide students, residents, and new faculty an opportunity to participate in a significant way in a scholarly project that exposes them to STFM.Requirements for funding eligibility are below:
- The project must be a collaborative effort among two or more STFM members.
- A student, resident, or new faculty (7 years or less in faculty role) must have a significant role in the project either as a co-principal investigator, project leader, or as a primary recipient of the project activities.
- The project must be recommended by an STFM Collaborative or Special Project Team.
- Funds must be disbursed to an entity, not an individual.
- Projects should attempt to conduct their survey through CERA, if appropriate.
- Funds may not be used for salary support.
Learn more about the STFM Project Fund, including funding details, selection criteria, and how to submit your project for funding.
