Purpose

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons and its charitable arm, The Thoracic Surgery Foundation, are collaborating with AstraZeneca to establish the AstraZeneca/TSF Lung Cancer Research Award. The award provides support to investigators conducting research related to lung cancer. This grant is for cardiothoracic surgeons, pulmonologists, or research or physician-scientists who are seeking initial support and recognition for their original research project. Proposed projects should aim to reduce the burden of lung disease through the advancement of clinical, transitional, and/or basic scientific research.

Eligibility

1. Cardiothoracic surgeon who has completed a program leading to certification by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery or its equivalent in a country outside of the United States, and who is within 7 years of first faculty appointment. Eligibility beyond seven years of first faculty appointment may be considered under extraordinary circumstances. Examples include: career interruptions caused by military service, health challenges, or unusual family responsibilities. Exceptions must be requested in writing and approved by the President of the TSF Board of Directors prior to the application deadline.
2. Pulmonologist – Must hold a doctoral degree and have a faculty appointment or equivalent with demonstrated institutional commitment (salary support, research space) in a recognized academic or other not-for-profit institution. Medical residents currently in training, graduate students enrolled in a degree program and established investigators are not eligible to apply.
3. Research or Physician Scientist – At the time of application, the applicant must hold a doctoral degree and have a faculty appointment or equivalent with demonstrated institutional commitment (salary support, research space) in a recognized academic or other not-for-profit institution; Fellows and PhD post-docs are eligible to apply only if their Department Chair can assure a promotion to faculty status by the start of the award.

AstraZeneca and The Thoracic Surgery Foundation recognize that the support provided by the AstraZeneca/TSF Lung Cancer Research Award may not be sufficient to fully fund operational costs. Therefore, TSF’s Research Grant awardees are permitted to secure other research grants to supplement a TSF Research Grant. However, all awardees are expected to have 30% of their time protected for research pursuits. Prior receipt of an NIH grant (K08, K23, R01) will weigh heavily against an applicant’s candidacy in the absence of mitigating circumstances. Application for NIH support during the TSF award period is strongly encouraged. If an awardee receives NIH funding during the period of a TSF award, the TSF funding will be managed administratively on a case-by-case basis; a TSF awardee is obligated to notify the TSF in the event of such an award.

Award Amount

Awards of up to $50,000 per year for up to two years will be granted to support the work of early-career cardiothoracic surgeons, pulmonologists, or research scientists. The awarded funds must be used solely for the direct expenses related to the proposed research project, including salary, services, and supplies; no additional funds will be provided. The award is not to be used to cover indirect expenses, fringe benefits, or expenditures that are not related to the project.

Evaluation

‍AstraZeneca/TSF Lung Cancer Research Award Applications will undergo a structured, unbiased, scientific peer review process by a committee of TSF volunteer cardiothoracic surgeons. AstraZeneca is not involved in the selection process.

Preference will be given to clinical or laboratory-based investigations judged likely to generate data that will, in turn, facilitate subsequent funding support for the applicant. In making the awards, emphasis will be placed on multiple parameters including originality, the feasibility of project completion, and its potential for meaningful advancement of lung cancer research and treatment. If two years of funding are requested and awarded, a progress report must be approved by the chairperson of the TSF Research Committee prior to release of payment for the second year.

Required Application Elements

• Biographical Information
• Lay Summary (500 words or less)
• Career Goals (100 words or less)
• Career Development Plan and Environment (1,400 words or less)
• Specific Aims (700 words or less)
• Background and Significance (700 words or less)
• Research Plan (3,500 words or less)
• Budget
• Budget Justification (1,400 words)
• Literature References
• Applicant’s NIH Biosketch
• Mentor’s NIH Biosketch
• 2 Letters of Support (Department Chair and Mentor)
• Headshot Photograph
• Optional: Other relevant data, such as figures, additional letters of support, etc.

Timeline

Application Open: July 1, 2024
Application Deadline: September 15, 2024
Applicants Notified of Award or Regrets: December 2024 - January 2025
See full award timeline here.