MAST Research Initiative

About the MAST Research Initiative

The MAST Research Initiative represents a collaborative effort between AANA, AOSSM and SOMOS to advance military-relevant orthopaedic research.

MAST Research Initiative Status

Submissions for the 2025 MAST Research Initiative are currently closed. Future application timelines will be announced on this page.

MAST Research Initiative Overview

The Military Advanced Surgical Treatment (MAST) Research Initiative is a collaborative research funding program led by the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) in partnership with the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) and the Society for Military Orthopaedic Surgeons (SOMOS). The initiative supports high-impact, military-focused orthopaedic research that advances arthroscopic surgery, surgical skill development and patient outcomes.

All applications are reviewed, discussed and deliberated on by representatives of the three partner organizations. Finalists are presented to a panel convening at the MAST Summit in early October, with award recipients announced following the Summit.

The top recipient will receive a $150,000 grant administered through the AANA Military Advanced Surgical Treatment Program. An additional project will receive a $50,000 grant. The MAST Research Initiative is funded by the United States Federal Government and is subject to all applicable federal statutes, regulations and requirements. The receiving entity must not be debarred, suspended or otherwise excluded from the use of federal funds.

Research Focus Areas

• Return to duty or sport
• Biologics
• Surgical skills development
• Patient-reported outcomes

MAST Research Initiative Objectives

This initiative supports projects that advance biologics, surgical skill development, return to sport or duty and patient-reported outcomes. Applications must involve pre-clinical or clinical research aimed at improving orthopaedic treatment, surgical techniques and outcomes within the identified focus areas.

Projects must include a military population focus, with collaboration between military and civilian programs strongly encouraged. The goal of the MAST Research Initiative is to award two research projects that enhance the skills, capabilities and readiness of the military Orthopaedic Surgeon community.

Priority Research Areas

Biologics

Research focused on the development of novel biologic approaches for joint preservation, tissue repair and accelerated healing in arthroscopic procedures. Proposals may include regenerative medicine strategies such as stem cell therapies, platelet-rich plasma and growth factors.

Surgical Skill Development

Research projects designed to develop high-fidelity surgical simulation tools and platforms that closely replicate real-world arthroscopic scenarios, including the use of virtual reality, haptic feedback and artificial intelligence.

Return to Sport or Duty

Research examining optimization of surgical treatment, postoperative protocols and rehabilitation strategies to support return to sport or duty, including digital health tools and patient-reported outcome measures.

Patient-Reported Outcomes

Projects focused on developing strategies and tools that leverage patient-reported outcomes, occupational and sport-specific variables and clinical data to support precision medicine approaches.

Additional Research Considerations

The MAST Research Initiative encourages innovative proposals that advance arthroscopy, sports medicine and orthopaedics beyond the priority areas listed.

Eligibility

Investigative teams must include at least one member of AANA, AOSSM or SOMOS in good standing. Resident submissions must include an active member of one of the partner organizations.

Publication and Acknowledgment Requirements

The recipient of the MAST Research Initiative agrees to acknowledge MAST funding and Arthroscopy will be given the right of first refusal for publication.

The following recognition must appear as a footnote on the first page of manuscripts or printed text:

“Supported by a grant administered by The Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA), with funding provided by the Military Advanced Surgical Treatment (MAST) Program.”

The same credit line must be included at any presentation at a professional or scientific meeting based on a study funded by any of the partner societies.