Cardiac Surgical Resident Investigator Award

The Cardiac Surgical Resident Investigator Award is a grant from the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) that funds cardiac surgical residents conducting clinical and translational research in the laboratory of an established cardiac surgical investigator. The program supports research including quality and outcomes studies, and investigations of innovative therapies and technologies in cardiothoracic surgery.

Eligible applicants are cardiac surgical residents enrolled in accredited I6 programs or general surgery residents in traditional 5-2 or 4-3 Early Specialization pathways in the U.S. or Canada; applicants must work under an active AATS member mentor. Awards are up to $40,000 per year for up to two years, totaling $80,000. The application deadline is December 2, 2026.

Cardiac… | The American Association for Thoracic Surgery | AATS Cardiac Surgical Resident Investigator Award Deadline ends at 11:59pm Eastern on 12/1/2026 The AATS Foundation’s Surgical Investigator program focuses on clinical and translational research initiatives including, but not limited to, topics related to quality and outcomes research, studies of new and innovative therapies, procedures, and technologies in cardiothoracic surgery.

The AATS Foundation Cardiac Surgical Resident Investigator Award is intended to support cardiac surgical residents enrolled in an I6 program, or general surgery residents intending to follow either a traditional 5-2 training pathway or a 4-3 Early Specialization Program in cardiothoracic surgery, to conduct research in the laboratory of an established cardiac surgical investigator.

This mentored award affords funding for the research activities of residents working directly with a senior cardiac surgeon. The established cardiac surgical investigators would direct the research projects and serve as research mentors. The timing of the research interval during the resident's training years can occur at variable times.

For I6 residents, the usual time would be between years 3 and 4. For residents in the traditional or early specialization pathway, the usual timing would be between the General and Thoracic Surgical residency years.

View Cardiac Surgical Resident Investigator Awardees Cardiac surgical resident who is currently enrolled in an accredited I6 program or general surgery residents intending to follow either a traditional 5-2 training pathway or a 4-3 Early Specialization Program in cardiothoracic surgery in the United States or Canada.

Must be engaged in cardiac research in the laboratory of an established cardiac surgical investigator who is an active AATS member in good-standing who will serve as their mentor for the duration of the project. Must submit a complete education plan on the proposed research.

Applications will only be considered meritorious if the selected mentor has provided adequate documentation highlighting their involvement and backing of the project. Training Plan and Environment; outlining the proposed training goals, core laboratory experience and didactic curriculum and mentoring/career counseling plans.

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).

Disclosure of other currently funded research projects and pending applications for support. Letter of support from the sponsoring research mentor addressing his/her endorsement of proposal and feasibility of the research proposal being carried out. The mentor letter should also include history of mentorship of previous research residents and outcomes of previous trainees.

It should provide the mentorship/supervision plan, including information on research environment, salary, available laboratory space, and other educational activities during the award cycle.

* Letter of support from the Surgical Chief or Director of Laboratory where research will be conducted guaranteeing protected time and that the applicant will spend the entire funding period focused on described research and that the department is committed to providing additional support, if needed, to ensure completion of the research.

* One-page statement describing the relationship of the proposed research to the applicant’s career goals. *For those looking to send letters of support for the candidate directly to the AATS Foundation, please email foundation@aats. org .

Each award would be for up to a 2-year duration for a total investment of $40,000 in support annually. The funding would be for support of salary, research supplies, travel, and other academic expenses related directly to the research (up to 10% may be allocated for indirect costs).

The 2nd year of funding will be provided based on evidence of progress and accomplishments as documented in a progress report submitted by awardee to the AATS Foundation after the initial 8 months of funding. All applicants will be notified with an official letter from the AATS Foundation within 3-5 months of the program deadline.

Should you have any questions regarding your status prior to receiving this notification, please contact foundation@aats. org . Program currently closed: Program will open September 1, 2026.