Purpose

This award is designed to provide salary and/or direct experimental support for surgical trainees who wish to acquire investigational skills. Although a specific research program is required as the major component of the application, emphasis in making the award is placed on the potential of the applicant based on prior accomplishments, and the quality of the educational experience for the applicant. Particular emphasis is placed on evidence of supervisory interaction in preparation of the application, the extent to which research training and a productive educational experience is convincingly described, and the training environment. Additional criteria include the probability of successful project completion and an assessment of the importance of the particular educational effort toward the advancement of cardiothoracic surgery.

Eligibility

• Any general surgery or cardiothoracic surgery trainee who intends to pursue a career in investigative cardiothoracic surgery;
• General surgery or cardiothoracic surgery trainees whose program director indicates that the applicant will be allowed not less than 80% protected time for research; or
• General surgery or cardiothoracic surgery residents who have not yet completed their training but wish to acquire an investigative education with a specified mentor.

Award Amount

Support of up to $60,000 per year for up to two years for general surgery or cardiothoracic surgery residents who have not yet completed cardiothoracic surgical training. No additional funds will be paid out for indirect, fringe, or other expenditures.

Requests for support for a single laboratory year are discouraged unless this represents the second of two consecutive research years. 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.

Required Application Materials

• Biographical Information
• Lay Summary: 500 words or less
• Training Plan and Environment: 3,500 words or less
• Specific Aims: 700 words or less
• Background and Significance: 700 words or less
• Research Plan: 3,500 words or less
• Applicant’s NIH Biosketch
• Mentor’s NIH Biosketch
• 2 Letters of Support
• Budget
• 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.