Sir Magdi Yacoub International Mentored Career Development Award

An Honoring Our Mentors Program

Program Overview

The AATS Foundation Sir Magdi Yacoub International Mentored Career Development Award provides grants to international cardiac surgeons to support clinical observational training, translational research, and the opportunity to have a visiting cardiac surgeon-mentor provide training, education, or research support at the applicant’s home institution.

Acceptance into the program includes the following:

• Up to $10,000 to allow for travel for longitudinal visits
• Up to $15,000 would support a cardiac surgeon complete a 1-3 month observational clinical fellowship
• Up to $50,000 would provide partial salary support for a 1-year translational research fellowship

Program Goal

To disseminate science and practice in cardiac surgery. This award is designed to have a significant impact on the specialty, with the selected awardee sharing their findings upon completion of the program.

Hosts

A number of AATS host surgeons/institutions who previously trained with Sir Magdi Yacoub have partnered with the AATS Foundation on this initiative. Interested applicants also have the option to select their own host institution with approval from host. If selecting host institution outside of suggested host sponsors, applicant is required to contact program of their choice and obtain a letter of agreement from host surgeon to be submitted with their application. Potential hosts are listed below.

Duration of the program:

• Longitudinal visits of between 5-10 days
• Observational fellowship of between 1-3 months
• Research fellowship of up to 1 year

Eligibility

Practicing cardiac surgeons or those enrolled in cardiac surgery training program. The program strongly encourages applicants from low – and middle income countries.

• Longitudinal visits with cardiac surgery mentor:

  Letter of support from surgeon mentor

• Observational fellowship:

  Eligible to enter country of proposed observational fellowship and letter of support including observership details from host program

• Research fellowship:

  Eligible for employment in country of proposed research fellowship, letter of support including research plan from host program

Application Process

Candidates are required to upload the following items with their online application:

• Curriculum Vitae;
• In collaboration with the host institution, description of the proposed research, including background, specific aims, significance, and research plan (5 page limit);
• In collaboration with the host institution, description of research facilities;
• Detailed budget (up to 10% of the total funding can be used for indirect costs and/or overhead assessments. If selected, grant will be paid to the recipient's institution where research will take place for support of salary, research supplies, travel, and other legitimate academic expenses);
• Disclosure of other currently funded research projects and pending applications for support;
• Letter of support from the Surgical Chief or Director of Laboratory where research will be conducted addressing his/her endorsement of proposal and feasibility of the research proposal being carried out;
• Most significant reprint;
• One-page statement describing the relationship of the proposed research to the applicant’s career goals and how this award will allow the applicant to impact health care globally.

Review Process

The AATS Foundation’s review committee will review all applications and notify candidates of a final decision. Applications will be graded on all aspects of the award criteria. At the conclusion of the fellowship, a final report is required to be submitted to the Foundation Board of Directors and any publications emanating from the research must include acknowledgment of the award.

The application for this program will be available starting April 1st.