Established by the Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF) of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons in 1983, the Research Fellowship provides training for neurosurgeons who are preparing for academic careers as clinician investigators. Applicants must be MDs who have been accepted into, or who are currently in, approved residency training programs in neurological surgery in North America.

The Fellowship is offered as a two-year commitment, totaling $70,000 or a one-year grant of $40,000. Applications related to any field of neurosurgery are encouraged. The NREF encourages both patient-oriented clinical research and basic science research projects.

The NREF through the Corporate Associates Program partners with corporations to offer a number of co-sponsored grants. Companies supporting residents and junior facility research grants include Biomet Microfixation, DePuy Spine, a Johnson & Johnson company, Kyphon Inc. and Porex Surgical.