Nina Starr Braunwald Research Award
Purpose
Operational support of original research efforts by women cardiac surgeons who have completed their formal training, and who are seeking initial support and recognition for their research program. Awards of up to $85,000 per year for up to two years are made each year to support the work of an early-career woman cardiac surgeon (within five years of first faculty appointment). No additional funds will be paid out for indirect, fringe, or other expenditures.
This award provides operational funding of up to $85,000 per year for up to two years to support the costs of original research. Preference will be given to either clinic or laboratory based investigations that are 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 originality, clear, concise presentation of a logical project, high probability of successful project completion, and importance of the work toward the advancement of cardiac surgery.
If two years of funding are requested and awarded, a progress report approved by the chairperson of the TSF Research Committee is required prior to release of payment for the second year.
Eligibility
Any woman cardiac 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 or who will successfully complete such training by the grant start date is eligible for a TSF Nina Starr Braunwald Research Award.
TSF recognizes that the support provided by a TSF Grant may not be sufficient to fully fund operational costs. TSF’s Nina Starr Braunwald Research Grant awardees are permitted to secure other research grants to supplement a TSF Research Grant, but are expected to have 30% of their time protected for research pursuits. Prior receipt of an NIH grant (KO8, RO1) will weigh heavily against an applicant’s candidacy in the absence of mitigating circumstances. Award of NIH funding during the period of a TSF award 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. Initial application for NIH support during the award years is strongly encouraged.
Application Deadline: September 15, 2023
Required Application Materials:
- Completed online application*
- Applicant’s NIH Biosketch (pdf)
- Mentor’s NIH Biosketch (pdf)
- 2 Letters of Support (pdf)
- Budget (pdf)
- Optional: Applicant’s Photo (jpeg)
- Optional: Other relevant data, such as figures, additional letters of support, etc. (pdf)
- *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 and Justification: 1,400 words or less
Click here to view the 2024 Awards Timeline.
