Cardiology Grants

2009 National Fellow-to-Faculty Transition Award Program Description

Application Deadline: Jan. 22, 2009 (11:59 p.m. Central Time)
Award Activation: July 1, 2009

Contact Information
(214) 360-6104, -6106, -6107, -6113
E-mail: ncrp@heart.org
Fax: (214) 360-6124

Science Focus
The American Heart Association funds research broadly related to cardiovascular disease and stroke. We support research in clinical and basic sciences, bioengineering, biotechnology and public health.

Applications related to obesity, women and heart disease, and resuscitation are particularly encouraged.

Objective
This program provides funding for trainees with outstanding potential for careers as physician-scientists in cardiovascular or stroke research during the crucial period of career development that spans the completion of research training through the early years of the first faculty/staff position. The award provides a supportive mentored experience during this period of transition. The award will (1) greatly enhance the awardee's chances of obtaining a high-quality faculty/staff appointment; (2) improve the awardee's success and retention in an investigative career in cardiovascular science; and (3) develop the mentoring skills of the awardee as a potential future mentor.

The award will provide support for beginning physician-scientists for a minimum of one year and a maximum of three years of research training and the first years of the first faculty/staff (or equivalent) appointment, for a maximum of five years of support. It is strongly encouraged that the five years of the award run consecutively, but the applicant and mentor may propose and justify an alternative plan for peer review consideration.

Individual awardees may take the award from the institution providing the research training component to another institution for the career development component (first faculty/staff appointment). The intent is to make the awardee a "free agent" who is empowered to stay at or move from the training institution while retaining the award. The mentor during the faculty stage of the award may or may not be the same person who was the mentor during the training phase.

Disciplines
All basic disciplines as well as epidemiological, community and clinical investigations that bear on cardiovascular and stroke problems.

Target Market, Eligibility

* Physicians who hold an M.D., M.D./PhD., D.O. or equivalent doctoral degree at the time of application submission and who seek additional research training under the supervision of a sponsor/mentor prior to embarking on a career of independent research.
* Applicants must be enrolled in or have completed an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-approved residency or a clinical fellowship program associated with an ACGME-approved residency.
* Applicants must have completed the clinical portion of their training program by the time of award activation. The applicant is responsible for identifying and working with a sponsor/mentor to develop the application.
* Candidates may have had no more than five years of postdoctoral research training (beyond clinical training) at time of application.
* The award is not intended for individuals of faculty/staff rank.
* At the time of award activation, applicant may not hold a faculty/staff appointment. The exceptions are M.D. or M.D./Ph.D. with clinical responsibilities who hold a title of instructor or similar due to their patient care responsibilities but who devote at least 80 percent full-time effort to research training.
* The mentor may hold an M.D., PhD., D.O. or other equivalent degree. Because of the strong mentoring component of this award and the importance of developing a meaningful relationship between awardee and mentor, an individual mentor may sponsor only one applicant to the program per year.

Citizenship
At time of application, must have one of the following designations:

* U.S. citizen
* Permanent resident
* Pending permanent resident. Applicants must have applied for permanent residency and have filed form I-485 with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and have received authorization to legally remain in the United States (having filed an Application for Employment Form I-765).
* E-3 -- specialty occupation worker
* H1-B Visa -- temporary worker in a specialty occupation
* O-1 Visa -- temporary worker with extraordinary abilities in the sciences
* TN Visa -- NAFTA Professional

Individuals with J1 visas are not eligible.

Awardee must meet American Heart Association citizenship criteria throughout the award.

Exception: Postdoctoral applicants who are outside the United States at time of application, and who meet all other eligibility requirements for the Fellow-to-Faculty Transition Award, must provide visa documentation prior to award activation.

Location
The training component of the award may be completed at any accredited institution in the UnitedStates, although U.S. citizens or permanent residents may complete this training portion at a non-U.S. institution. All awardees must complete the faculty component at an institution in the United States. Applicants are not required to reside in the United States for any period of time before applying for the award.

Budget/Annual Award Amount

Training Stage of Award:

* PI Salary/Fringe: Yes, up to $50,000 (institution may supplement)
* Project Support: Yes, up to $10,000/yr; travel limited to $2,000/yr, salaries of technical personnel essential to the conduct of the project, supplies, equipment, volunteer subject costs, publication costs; $5,000/yr is available to support mentor salary, projects costs, mentor travel to accompany awardee to professional meetings
* Fringe Benefits: Yes, included in $50,000
* Indirect Costs: No
* Dependent Allowance: No
* Tuition: No
* Maximum Annual Amount: $65,000

Faculty Stage of Award:

* PI Salary/Fringe: Yes, $90,000 (institution may supplement salary)
* Project Support: Yes, $25,000/yr; travel limited to $2,000/yr, salaries of technical personnel essential to the conduct of the project, supplies, equipment, volunteer subject costs, publication costs; $5,000/yr is available to support mentor salary, projects costs, mentor travel to accompany awardee to professional meetings
* Fringe Benefits: Yes (included in $90,000)
* Indirect Costs: Yes, $12,000 maximum (10 percent of total award amount)
* Maximum Annual Amount: $132,000
Award Duration
Five years, subject to annual review and satisfactory progress.

Restrictions

* Not intended for individuals of faculty/staff rank.
* Since the fellowship is considered a training award, a staff or faculty appointment cannot be held. (The exceptions are M.D. or M.D./Ph.D. with clinical responsibilities who hold a title of instructor or similar due to their patient care responsibilities but who devote at least 80 percent full-time effort to research training.)
* During the training period, awardees are expected to devote more than 80 percent full-time equivalent effort to research or activities directly related to their development into independent researchers, as opposed to administrative, patient care, or teaching responsibilities. A 75 percent full-time equivalent effort to research is required during the faculty component of the award.
* Current AHA predoctoral and postdoctoral awardees may apply for this award.
* The fellow cannot hold a comparable fellowship award.
* With one exception, this award may not be held concurrently with another AHA award (national or affiliate). Exception: A Fellow-to-Faculty Transition Award recipient may apply for and receive an affiliate Beginning Grant-in-Aid or Grant-in-Aid during the faculty phase. The awardee may request only project support for these AHA grants, since the Fellow-to-Faculty Transition Award provides significant salary support.
* Current or prior recipients of an AHA Scientist Development Grant, Established Investigator Grant or Established Investigator Award (national or affiliate) are not eligible.
* Prior or current recipients of any NIH K-series awards are not eligible.
* The Fellow-to-Faculty Award is not renewable (an individual may hold this award only once).
* A minimum of one year of research training after award activation is required prior to the transition to a faculty/staff appointment.
* An applicant may submit only one national application per deadline.
* The same or similar application submitted for the fourth time will be administratively withdrawn and returned to the applicant.

Applicants should never contact reviewers regarding their applications. Discussing scientific content of an application or attempting to influence review outcome will constitute a conflict of interest in the review. Reviewers are directed to notify the AHA if an applicant contacts them.

Applying to National and an Affiliate
If eligible, an applicant may simultaneously submit applications for affiliate and national awards. If both are funded, the applicant must choose one award. A person cannot hold more than one association award concurrently, unless there is a stated exception. The proposed research plan may need to be adjusted based upon different length of award and dollars available. The deadline dates may be different for each submission.

Interim Reporting and Progress Assessment
Research Committee assessment of annual progress reports to include research findings, abstracts, and publications. Audit of annual expenditure reports. Non-competing review of information submitted by the awardee at the time of completion of the training portion of the award.

Carryover of funds will be allowed as specified in current AHA policies/procedures. Any publications resulting from this award should acknowledge the American Heart Association's support.

Evaluation
Response to program promotion (application volume).
Publications and citations by others resulting from the AHA-funded projects. Subsequent funding obtained by the awardee. Career progress of award recipients. Assessment of impact of research funded.

Success Rate (January 2007 deadline)
# Applications Reviewed: 52
# Applications Awarded: 9
Success Rate: 17.31 percent

Henry I. Russek Travel Award
Description: The award honors Dr. Henry I. Russek, who served as Director of the ACC Extramural Program "New York Cardiovascular Symposium" for 25 years. The award provides funding for 8 Fellows in Training to attend this seminar held each year in December.
Eligibility: All current ACC Fellow in Training members are eligible. No more than one award will be granted from any single training program.
The Award: Scholarships of up to $1,250 each will be awarded in a random drawing. This award will cover the reduced FIT registration fee of $535 and up to $715 in travel and hotel costs for the "41st Annual New York Cardiovascular Symposium" in New York City December 12-14, 2008. Awardees are reimbursed after the meeting and are required to document use of funds.
How to Apply: Your Training Director must send an email with your contact information to Kelli Bohannon.
Application Deadline: September 15, 2008
For More Information: Contact Kelli Bohannon, Member Services at 800-253-4636, ext. 6635.

American College of Cardiology
Heart House 2400 N Street, NW Washington, DC 20037

Cardiac Care Associates Travel Awards

Description: Twenty applicants will be awarded travel expenses to the ACC's 58th Annual Scientific Session in Orlando, FL, March 28-March 31, 2009. Travel awards are available to Cardiac Care members only*.

*Includes Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Physician Assistant members, only.

The Award: Each travel award will cover up to $1,250 per person in expenses and includes registration, transport, and hotel. Awardees are reimbursed after the meeting and are required to submit the approved expense report template, which will be provided to all awardees. All relevant receipts should be submitted with the expense report.
How to Apply: Please e-mail the following information to Kelli Bohannon:
Name:
Address:
Phone Number:
E-mail:
Institution:

Winners will be drawn at random.
Application Deadline: October 6, 2008
For More Information: Contact Kelli Bohannon, Member Services at 800-253-4636, ext. 6635.

American College of Cardiology
Heart House 2400 N Street, NW Washington, DC 20037

American College of Cardiology Foundation/GE Healthcare Career Development Awards in Cardiovascular Imaging Technologies and Targeted Imaging Agents
Description: Two awards are available to foster the early research career development of junior cardiovascular faculty in the research area of imaging technologies and targeted imaging agents. These awards will furnish a portion of the faculty member's total salary support. It is anticipated that the balance of the salary will come from other sources.
Eligibility: Applicants eligible for the award are those who: 1.) Will hold rank of instructor or assistant professor at the time of the initiation of the award and have completed adult, pediatric, surgical cardiology fellowship training in a program approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or the American Osteopathic Association; 2.) Are members of the American College of Cardiology; 3.) Are no more than five (5) years out of training; 4.) Have the recommendation and agreement of their division chiefs and the chief's assurance that the awards' support will provide protected time for the applicants to pursue their research programs; and 5.) Have an agreement with their institutions that the full amount of the award will be designated for the salary support.
Selection: Criteria for selection includes scientific quality of the project; Qualifications and commitment of the applicant; support of the environment to foster the proposed project and applicant's success.
The Award: $65,000 each year for two years
How to Apply: Please go to http://acc.gsubmit.net/cgi-bin/main.plex to submit an application.
Application Deadline: October 6, 2008
For More Information: Contact Kelli Bohannon at 800-253-4636, ext. 6635 or kbohanno@acc.org for more

American College of Cardiology Foundation/Merck Research Fellowships in Cardiovascular Disease and Cardiometabolic Disorders

In selecting applicants, proposals addressing diabetes or the metabolic syndrome as they relate to cardiovascular disease are encouraged. This consideration should not, however, be considered limiting and all meritorious applications will be reviewed.

Description: Four one-year fellowships will be awarded to support research in adult cardiology. Preference is given to individuals who have had no more than two years of prior full-time experience either in clinical or basic research. Recipients will be expected to pursue a full-time project in clinical research during their year of supported training.
Research Focus: In selecting applications, proposals addressing CVD and Cardiometabolic disorders are encouraged. Included are proposals that address pathophysiology, molecular genetics, metabolic abnormalities leading to cardiovascular disease, hypertension, heart failure, hyperlipidemia, inflammatory mechanisms and new pathways for drug discovery. Proposals focusing on clinically relevant outcomes as a result of the metabolic syndrome, diabetes or obesity are also encouraged. Outcomes studies should focus on clinical/and or systems of care (e.g., quality improvement) interventions, and use outcomes measures of importance to both patients and society, including mortality, significant morbidity or quality of life changes, or economic effects.
Eligibility: Anyone currently in an adult cardiology fellowship training program recognized by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association and who has the recommendation and agreement of his/her training program director and institution.
Selection: Judging will be by the ACCF/Research Fellowship Awards Committee. Criteria for selection will include:
• Scientific quality of the project;
• Relevance to the research focus as described above
• Qualifications and commitment of the applicant, and
• The quality of the training environment.
Successful applicants may pursue this protected year of research either within or following their three years of required training. Preference will be given to individuals who:
• Will pursue clinical research training and experience directly involving patients or human subjects.
• Have had no more than two years of prior full-time research experience either in clinical or basic research.
• Will not hold another major external fellowship or salary award, (e.g., from NIH or AHA) during the ACCF/Merck funded year.

The Award: Four fellowships in the amount of $60,000 each.
How to Apply: Please go to http://acc.gsubmit.net/cgi-bin/main.plex to submit an application.
Application Deadline: October 6, 2008
For More Information: Contact Kelli Bohannon at 800-253-4636, ext. 6635 or kbohanno@acc.org for more information.

American College of Cardiology Foundation/Guidant Foundation Fellowship and Career Development Award in Women’s Cardiovascular Health
Description: Two awards are available to foster the early research career development of fellows and junior cardiovascular faculty. Candidates in their final year of fellowship or first year as junior faculty will be eligible for the Fellowship, while preference will be given to CDA applicants who are no more than five years out of training. Both awards provide two years of salary support to enable such individuals to devote time and effort to clinical research that will broaden scientific knowledge related to the mechanisms or treatment of cardiovascular disease in women. Supported research must focus on issues related specifically to improving the health status of women as it relates to cardiovascular risk or treatment.
Eligibility: Fellowship applicants must:
• currently be in an accredited adult cardiology training program or within one year after completion of such a program;
• have relevant research experience in women’s heart health; and
• have a mentor with recognized experience in the treatment or research of cardiovascular disease in women.
CDA applicants must:
• hold the rank of instructor or assistant professor at the time of the initiation of the award and have completed adult, pediatric, or surgical cardiology fellowship training in a program approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or the American Osteopathic Association;
• be no more than 5 years out of training;

All applicants must:
• have the recommendation and agreement of their division chiefs and the chief's assurance that the awards' support will provide protected time for the applicants to pursue their research programs;
• submit an agreement with their institutions that the full amount of the award will be designated for salary support; and
• be members, or be eligible to become members, of the ACCSelection: Criteria for selection includes scientific quality of the project; Qualifications and commitment of the applicant; support of the environment to foster the proposed project and applicant's success.

Suggested Curriculum: Awardees in both categories are encouraged to pursue didactic work in research methodology appropriate to the project. The Career Development Awardee will be expected to participate in a multidisciplinary women’s heart health clinical program at least one per day week for the duration of the grant. A half day of such participation would be expected of the Fellowship recipient. Additionally, the individuals funded should also be willing to provide lectures or seminars on topics related to women’s heart health at least twice annually during the course of the grant period. Fellowship recipients will be expected to engage in work with a mentor with recognized expertise in the area of women’s cardiovascular health, and to pursue clinical or translational investigation. Applicants from facilities without specific women’s heart health programs must have access to interface with a clinical program in women’s health (i.e. cardiovascular centers, practices that focus on a heavily female client population, internal medicine or women’s health programs that will support cardiovascular investigation).
Host Institution Requirements: The host institution must be an accredited U.S. academic medical institution. Preference will be given to applicants from institutions with a functioning women’s heart health program. The institution must be committed to the area of research outlined in the research proposal, including provision of an appropriate training environment and research facilities for the proper conduct of the applicant’s research.
The Award: $65,000 each year for two years
How to Apply: Please go to http://acc.gsubmit.net/cgi-bin/main.plex to submit an application.
Application Deadline: October 6, 2008
For More Information: Contact Kelli Bohannon at 800-253-4636, ext. 6635 or kbohanno@acc.org for more information.

SPR Richard D. Rowe Award in Perinatal Cardiology

(Presented by the Society for Pediatric Research)

The Richard D. Rowe Award in Perinatal Cardiology was established in 1988 by colleagues, trainees and friends of Dr. Rowe to honor his many personal achievements, commitment to academic excellence, integrity and humility. The award carries a monetary prize of $1,000. The winning applicant is selected on the basis of both the quality of the work presented in the abstract and the information contained in the sponsoring letter.

Check the appropriate box in the PAS abstract submission program and complete the online application form.
Abstract and supplemental materials must be received by the PAS abstract submission deadline.
Have M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent degree and be within 3 years of completion of post-doctoral education (individuals who are in the process of obtaining such an education, but have already completed original work are encouraged to apply.)
First authorship on an abstract submitted to the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies in the field of perinatal cardiovascular development. The abstract must be accepted for presentation at the PAS Annual Meeting to be considered.
A sponsoring letter from a member of the Society for Pediatric Research that contains a short appraisal of the candidate's accomplishments and potential and clearly outline his/her participation in the work contained in the abstract.
Candidate's curriculum vitae.
The recipient must present the study at the PAS Annual Meeting in a related session.
For questions or further information:
SPR Awards
3400 Research Forest Drive, Suite B-7
The Woodlands, TX 77381
Tel: 281-419-0052
Fax: 281-419-0082
E-mail: info@aps-spr.org
URL: www.aps-spr.org