Surgical Investigator Program

Program Overview

The Surgical Investigator Program supports innovative clinical or translational research for young cardiothoracic surgeons, including (but not limited to) topics related to outcomes research, as well as robotically assisted surgery, minimally invasive surgery, or other applications of new and innovative technologies in cardiothoracic surgery.

Application Guidelines

Please note the following guidelines when submitting a proposal:

• Applications requesting up to $50,000 per year for up to two years will be welcomed, in addition to smaller short-term requests. For requests of more than one year, a progress report and request for additional funding are required prior to the end of the originally funded year. Additional funding will be made after review of the progress report.
• All applications will be subjected to a rigorous peer-review process which will be established and overseen by the program's Review Committee.
• If selected, the award will be paid to the successful applicant’s institution for support of salary, research supplies, travel, and other legitimate academic expenses.
• After the research has concluded, 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:

• 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 or Canada;
• Must have a current academic or hospital appointment;
• Must have completed their cardiothoracic residency within seven years of application.

Application Process

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 (up to 10% of the total funding can be used for indirect costs and/or overhead assessments);
• 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;
• First most significant reprint;
• Second most significant reprint;
• One page statement describing the relationship of the proposed research to the applicant’s career goals.