Association of Clinical Research Professionals Opens Applications for 2026–27 Scholarships and Grants Program

Made possible through support from Peter the Protocol Reader by Care Access, the program expands opportunities for education, certification, and professional growth in clinical research

Washington, DC, Sept. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) today announced the opening of applications for its 2026–27 Scholarships and Grants Program. With support from Peter the Protocol Reader by Care Access, the program helps current and future clinical research professionals pursue education, certification, and career-building opportunities that support long-term success in the profession.

For 50 years, ACRP has advanced excellence in clinical research by supporting the professionals who make it possible through gold-standard training, industry-leading certification, and professional advocacy. Yet financial barriers can stand between talented professionals and opportunities to learn, grow, and advance, making scholarships and grants more important than ever.

The demand for these opportunities continues to grow. Earlier this year, ACRP reported record engagement in its Scholarship and Grant Program, underscoring the increasing need for education, certification, and professional development opportunities across the global clinical research community.

“Every medical breakthrough relies on the clinical research professionals behind it,” said David Vulcano, FACRP, Chief Executive Officer of ACRP. “When talented individuals have access to education and professional development opportunities, the benefits extend far beyond a single career. They strengthen research teams, improve research quality, and help build the future of our profession. We are grateful to Peter the Protocol Reader for supporting our efforts to expand opportunities and invest in the people who will shape the future of the profession.”

The 2026-27 Scholarship and Grant Opportunities Include:

• ACRP Access for Students to Clinical Research Training (ASCRT) Scholarships, which help reduce financial barriers and create pathways into the profession for students pursuing associate, undergraduate, or graduate degrees in clinical research.
• ACRP Continuing Education Grants, which provide clinical research professionals with the opportunity to attend the ACRP 2027 Annual Conference, build professional networks, and learn from industry experts.
• ACRP Certification Scholarships, which help professionals pursue ACRP-CP®, CCRA®, CCRC®, and CPI® credentials that demonstrate competency and commitment to high-quality clinical research practice.

Together, these programs support individuals at every stage of their careers. Whether pursuing a first role in clinical research, earning a professional credential, or participating in advanced educational and networking opportunities, recipients gain experiences that can shape the trajectory of their careers.

As the exclusive Premier Sponsor of the 2026–27 ACRP ’50 for 50′ Scholarships and Grants Program, Peter the Protocol Reader by Care Access is helping expand access to learning and professional development across the clinical research community. For Care Access, the sponsorship brings together two forms of practical support: Peter, a purpose-built tool designed around the real operating needs of research sites, and ACRP Scholarships and Grants that help people gain the skills and connections they need to enter clinical research, grow in the profession, and do this important work well.

“Our partnership with ACRP is personal to me because I got into this field as a clinical research coordinator,” said Michael Lin, Co-Founder of Care Access. “Peter was built to support clinical research professionals as they navigate the real challenges of day-to-day site work—starting by helping them get to the right information at the right moment. Supporting these scholarships and grants is another practical way to strengthen the workforce and increase the field’s capacity to conduct high-quality research.”

The impact of these opportunities can be seen in the experiences of past recipients.

"The ACRP Certification Scholarship opened doors to formalize and strengthen the competencies I've developed in trial management, regulatory compliance, and ethical research conduct, opportunities that would have been challenging to pursue without this scholarship," said Catherine Chacín Cordido, DDS, MPH, of the GAMMA Project's Vaccine Research Unit at the University of Puerto Rico, and a 2025–26 ACRP Certification Scholarship recipient.

Scholarships and grants like these help remove barriers to opportunity while creating pathways for individuals to learn, grow, and advance within the clinical research profession.

Applications for the 2026–27 ACRP Scholarships and Grants Program are now open. To learn more about available opportunities, eligibility requirements, and deadlines, please visit acrpnet.org/scholarships-and-grants.

About the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP)
With more than 22,000 members, the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) is the only non-profit solely dedicated to representing, supporting, and advocating for clinical research professionals. ACRP supports individuals and life science organizations globally by providing community, education, and credentialing programs. Founded in 1976, ACRP is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to promote excellence in clinical research and whose vision is that clinical research is performed ethically, responsibly, and professionally everywhere in the world. Advancing People Advancing Health™.

About Peter the Protocol Reader by Care Access
Peter the Protocol Reader is an AI-powered protocol assistant built by Care Access to help clinical research professionals navigate the day-to-day challenges of their work. Peter is one of the practical ways Care Access tackles problems across clinical research—a tool shaped by the firsthand experience of hundreds of coordinators and investigators across Care Access’s global network of research sites. More broadly, Care Access builds solutions that address the needs of frontline research teams and the barriers communities face in learning about and taking part in research. To learn more, visit www.AskPeter.com.

Attachments

• ACRP is Supporting the People Who Power Clinical Research
• Peter the Protocol Reader by Care Access Named Exclusive Premier Sponsor of ACRP's '50 for 50' Scholarships and Grants Program

Lisa Townsend
Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP)
lisa.townsend@acrpnet.org

Joseph Oh
Care Access 
media@careaccess.com