ACSM hosts “Fighting Physical Education Decline” webinar July 21, 2026
Physical education requirements are increasingly deprioritized in pre-k through college level curriculum, contributing to a decline in movement and physical activity among younger generations. Join us for this foundational EIM-On Campus (EIM-OC) webinar as we explore the shared purpose that unites us as ACSM members that includes:
- The history of physical education at the national and state level, highlighting significant shifts over time.
- The importance of advocacy in promoting quality physical education and lifelong physical activity opportunities.
- How the EIM-OC initiative can serve as an innovative approach to improving physical activity participation and advancing the future of physical education.
Register here and join us for this event on July 21 from 12-1 p.m. ET.
ACSM’s ExSci Career Explored webinar series presents, “Parkinson’s: Better Everyday”
The next installment of ACSM’s career webinar series will feature health and fitness professional Ben Rossi in “Parkinson’s: Better Everyday”. With more than 28 years of fitness coaching experience and over a decade of dedicated work with the Parkinson’s disease community, Ben brings a wealth of knowledge and insight into the field. He is a co-founder and the Chief Program Officer at InMotion® where he created their signature system, Better Every Day™. In this session, Ben will share his career journey, the experiences that led him to co-found InMotion®, and how the organization has provided life-changing support to more than 1,500 individuals at no cost to participants. Whether you are an aspiring or experienced health and fitness professional, you’ll gain valuable insights and practical advice to advance your own career path.
Register here to join us on July 22 from 12-1 p.m. ET.
ACSM and Gatorade Sports Science Awards open to first generation grad students
ACSM Foundation and Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI) are currently accepting applications for the GSSI Pathways in Sports Science Award! Designed to empower the passion, resilience and academic excellence of first-generation college students pursuing graduate degrees in exercise physiology, sports science, kinesiology and/or sports nutrition, the award will recognize four individuals who are breaking new ground, not only in their families, but in the science of human performance.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be ACSM national members in good standing before applying for funding. ACSM chapter membership alone does not fulfill this requirement.
- Applicants must be a first-generation college student which is someone whose parents (or legal guardians) have not earned a bachelor’s degree in the U.S. — meaning that neither parent (or legal guardian) has completed a four-year college program.
- Open to master’s and doctoral students enrolled in full-time programs at a U.S. school in exercise physiology, sports science, kinesiology, and/or sports nutrition with a GPA of at least 3.0.
- Applicants directly associated with or engaged in any fashion with GSSI will not be eligible. Submitted work funded, partially or wholly, by GSSI or PepsiCo is not eligible.
- Previous winners of any GSSI award through ACSM and/or the ACSM Foundation are not eligible to apply.
- Previous ACSM research grantees must submit final grant and expenditure reports prior to receiving this award.
Requirements:
- Essay describing current research and how mentorship from GSSI and attendance to the ACSM Annual Meeting will support professional development (750 words)
- Personal statement (200 words)
- Two letters of recommendation
Awards:
- A pair of $4,000 awards to two master’s students and a pair of $6,000 awards to two doctoral studentsas well as one year of 1:1 mentorship from a GSSI scientist and complementary registration to ACSM’s 2027 Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, IN.
Deadline: Applications are due at 11:59 p.m. ET on July 24, 2026
These awards are available exclusively to ACSM members, so you may already be qualified! If you are not a member, ACSM Student Membership is just $30 per year. Join today and apply!
Please contact the ACSM Foundation with questions.
Parkinson’s Professional Exchange webinar
The Parkinson’ Foundation will host “Moving through Parkinson’s: Does Intensity and Dose Matter?”on July 21 from 12-1 p.m. ET. The exchange will feature special guests, Jimmy Choi and Daniel Corcos, PhD, and moderator Sneha Mantri, MD, MS, Parkinson’s Foundation Chief Medical Officer. Learn about new exercise research focusing on high vs. moderate intensity, domains of exercise, and implementation strategies for people with Parkinson’s Disease as exercise is now recognized as a key part of treatment plans. Register here.
