AATS Foundation Research Scholarship

Program Overview

In 1985, the AATS established a two-year research scholarship awarded annually to a North American surgeon committed to pursuing an academic career in cardiothoracic surgery. The AATS Foundation's Research Scholarship provides one early-career investigator with a two-year grant of $80,000 each year to pursue research, training and clinical experience.

Successful applicants will receive complimentary registration to the 2021 AATS Annual Meeting in Seattle, WA taking place May 1-4, 2021 as well as to the 2022 Annual Meeting to be held in Boston, MA May 14-17, 2022. During the Annual Meeting, the awardee(s) will be formally acknowledged during the AATS Foundation Reception.

View previous Research Scholarship recipients

Application Guidelines

Please note the following guidelines when submitting a proposal;

• All applications will be subjected to a rigorous peer-review process which will be established and overseen by the Program's Review Committee.
• The yearly stipend shall be $80,000 paid to the host institution for support of salary, research supplies, travel and other legitimate academic expenses of the scholar.
• The stipend is to be used for direct salary support and related research expenses only; it cannot be used to support indirect institutional costs.
• The Scholarship will begin July 1, 2021 and concludes on July 1, 2023. The scholar shall submit an interim and a final written report of his/her research activities to the Board of the Foundation.
• After completion of research, investigators will be required to submit a final report of their research activities and findings to the AATS Foundation Board.
• All publications emanating from the research must include acknowledgement of the award.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an award, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• A candidate should have completed his/her formal training in cardiothoracic surgery and be certified or in the process of obtaining certification by the appropriate Thoracic Surgery Board in the United States, Canada or international equivalent;
• Applications for the scholarship must be submitted during the candidate's first two years in an academic position at a U.S. or Canadian institution;
• Candidates must have completed their cardiothoracic residency within 3 years of application.

Application Process

Applications for the Research Scholarship will be accepted annually. Candidates will be required to submit the following materials within their online application;

• Curriculum Vitae;
• Description of the proposed research, including Background, Specific Aims, Significance and Research Plan – 5 page limit;
• Description of research facilities;
• Detailed budget, including indirect costs;
• Letter of support from 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;
• First most significant Publication;
• Second most significant Publication;
• One page narrative describing the relationship of the proposed research to the applicant’s career goals.

The deadline for this award passed on December 1st.