The Boston Athletic Association announced on Tuesday a new research funding opportunity for scientific researchers surrounding the Boston Marathon. The new BAA medical research funding program will provide an annual request for proposals to conduct research at the world’s oldest annual marathon. Researchers will be asked to submit scientific proposals for projects which will be considered in conjunction with the race.Clinical and scientific questions surrounding athlete health and performance are often studied in field projects such as organized road races. Over the last several decades, at least one study has been annually conducted in conjunction with the April event."Scientific research related to athletic performance and health and safety is a long-standing tradition at the Boston Marathon," Dr. Michael P. O’Leary, chairman of the BAA board said in a news release. "The Boston Marathon medical research program will promote future work to address key areas of clinical and scientific research relevant to endurance athletes.”The program will provide researchers with a one-time itemized budget of up to $25,000 to complete the proposed work. The BAA said it may also choose multiple proposals at lower amounts to support depending on the total number of submissions received.The BAA said proposals for field studies aimed at delineating key aspects of athlete health and performance are encouraged, as well as studies inclusive of para-athletes and studies that examine issues related to gender and diversity. According to the BAA, all proposals received by the Oct. 31 submission deadline will be considered by race leadership, medical directors and an external panel of scientific experts. The BAA said proposals and any program questions should be emailed to medical@baa.org for review.The 127th Boston Marathon will be held on April 17, 2023, featuring a field size of 30,000 participants.