Giving Circle for the Advancement of Women (GCAW) Award

Eligibility

Applicants must meet four criteria to be eligible to apply for the GCAW award. These criteria are in place for the 2025–2026 calendar years and open to change based on GCAW Founding Circle and Legacy Circle discussion and the availability for the SIR Foundation staff to implement.

• Applicants must be citizens of the United States or Canada or those who have permanent resident status therein.
  • Permanent residents must submit documentation of their status.
  • An exception can be made if an applicant is at an institution in the U.S. or Canada and is on a visa. A letter will be required from the department chair guaranteeing completion of the project. 

• Active SIR member
• MD, DO, PhD or PhD equivalent
• Identify as a woman

How to apply

Applicants will submit their award applications online through our dedicated portal. The application process includes providing:

• Personal, professional and academic information
• A personal statement outlining their leadership goals
• A course description and summary of total costs of the course
• Letters of recommendation 

All applications will be reviewed by the selection committee.

Review process

SIR Foundation staff review eligibility of applicants. Founding Circle members score blinded applications and present them to all GCAW Circle members. GCAW members will vote on one or more opportunities to fund for the cycle. GCAW awardees will be informed on October 1, 2025. After completion of the program, recipient(s) will share with GCAW their experience either in person at the SIR Annual Scientific Meeting or at the virtual meeting.

Potential funding opportunities

Gain practical insights from top radiology leaders and business experts in an interactive, immersive weekend. Whether you're new or experienced, you'll gain valuable strategies, tools and connections to tackle business and leadership challenges. 

• Dates/location: Sept. 26–28, 2025, Boston, MA
• Cost: $1,450 early bird; $1,850 regular
• Registration deadline: September 26, 2025

• Dates: Live and on demand
• Cost: Pricing is being finalized
• Registration deadline: January 2026

• Dates: On demand
• Cost: $199 member; $499 non-member
• Application deadline: None

Designed for women physicians at every career stage and across all specialties, geographies and aspirations, AMWA ELEVATE delivers content with a dynamic, experiential approach that guides participants to leverage their personal strengths and embrace their unique leadership styles. This fully virtual program enables you to participate from anywhere in the U.S. or around the world. With a blend of self-paced modules and monthly group coaching sessions, AMWA ELEVATE offers the flexibility to fit seamlessly into even the busiest schedule. Graduates consistently report that applying concepts and strategies gained together has profoundly transformed their lives. In choosing to participate in AMWA ELEVATE, you are giving yourself the opportunity to capitalize on your strengths, stretch your capabilities and accelerate your growth as a physician leader.

• Dates: September 2025–June 2026
• Cost: $2850 without individual coaching ($3500 nonmember); $4500 with 1:1 leadership coaching ($5200 nonmember)
• Application deadline: Rolling acceptance until cohort is filled

Begin your journey to mastery in radiology business management with RBMA Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) Certificate programs. Each CBK Certificate Bundle is specifically crafted to deepen your expertise in essential aspects of the field. Upon completion of a bundle and its corresponding post-test, you'll earn a digital badge and certificate, symbolizing your proficiency and commitment to the radiology business management sector.

• Dates: On your own time
• Cost: $450/certificate course
• Application deadline: None, ongoing

This popular and highly interactive seminar provides women at the assistant professor level with foundational leadership knowledge and skills that will enable them to achieve their career goals, advance and thrive as a successful leader in academic medicine and science.

• Dates/location: July 22–25, 2025, Charlotte, NC
• Cost: $2,275
• Application deadline: deadline has passed

This 2-week intensive, on-site program brings together physicians in administrative positions in academic medical centers to Harvard’s Longwood Campus for an intensive and systematic study of the critical leadership and management issues facing academic medical centers.

• Dates: October 5–17, 2025 
• Cost: $11,200.00
• Application deadline: Deadline has passed

***Submission of an application for the Giving Circle for the Advancement of Women (GCAW) Award does not constitute an assurance of acceptance into the proposed program or of receiving funding, whether partial or full, for the proposed program.

***In accordance with SIR Foundation and Giving Circle for the Advancement of Women (GCAW) bylaws, funds will be disbursed only after GCAW has completed its review of submitted applications and selected award recipients. Please note that funds cannot be advanced prior to the proposed meeting, program or event if the application deadline falls before the GCAW award review period.