2020 Thoracic Surgery Foundation Awards Are Now Available

Applications are now being accepted for 2020 Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF) awards in the areas of cardiothoracic surgery research, education, leadership, and surgical outreach. Visit the TSF website to apply for funding. The 2020 TSF Awards program includes:

RESEARCH

TSF Research Award (CT Surgeons Only)
Operational support of original research efforts by cardiothoracic surgeons who have completed their formal training, and who are seeking initial support and recognition for the research program.

• For early-career cardiothoracic surgeons (within 7 years of first faculty appointment at time of application deadline).
• Up to $40,000 per year for up to 2 years
• Deadline: 09/15/19

STS Research Award (CT Surgeons Only)
Operational support of original research efforts by cardiothoracic surgeons who have completed their formal training, and who are seeking initial support and recognition for the research program. The STS Research Award designation is given to the highest-ranking TSF research application awarded by TSF based on merit as judged by a rigorous peer review process.

• For early-career cardiothoracic surgeons (within 7 years of first faculty appointment).
• Up to $40,000 per year for up to 2 years
• Deadline: 09/15/19

TSF Resident Research Fellowship Award (Residents Only)
To support the research fellowship of a resident who has not yet completed cardiothoracic surgical training. During the fellowship, the resident will work in a cardiothoracic surgical clinical or laboratory research program.

• For residents who have not yet completed cardiothoracic surgical training.
• Up to $30,000 per year for up to 2 years
• Deadline: 09/15/19

Nina Starr Braunwald Research Award (Women Cardiac Surgeons Only)
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.

• For an early-career woman cardiac surgeon (within 5 years of first faculty appointment).
• Up to $40,000 per year for up to 2 years
• Application Open: 07/15/19 - Deadline: 09/15/19

Nina Starr Braunwald Research Fellowship Award (Women Residents Only)
To provide salary and/or direct experimental support for women cardiac surgical trainees who wish to acquire investigational skills.

• For a woman resident working in a cardiac surgical clinic or laboratory research program who has not yet completed cardiothoracic surgical training.
• Up to $30,000 per year for up to 2 years
• Deadline: 09/15/19

TSF/Southern Thoracic Surgical Association (STSA) Resident Research Award (Residents Only)
To provide salary and/or direct experimental support for surgical trainees who wish to acquire investigational skills.

• For residents who have not yet completed cardiothoracic surgical training.
• Up to $30,000 per year for up to 2 years
• Application Open: 07/15/19 - Deadline: 09/15/19

American Lung Association/The Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF) Lung Cancer Research Award
The Thoracic Surgery Foundation is collaborating with the American Lung Association to establish the TSF Lung Cancer Research Award. The purpose of the award is to provide support to investigators conducting research related to lung cancer.

• For early-career cardiothoracic surgeons, pulmonologists, or research scientists. 
• Up to $40,000 per year for up to two years
• Deadline: 09/15/2019

EDUCATION

Michael J. Davidson Fellowship Award (CT Surgeons Only)
To support a deserving early-career surgeon committed to the vision of innovative and collaborative cardiovascular care and who are seeking to enhance their surgical skills in transcatheter valve techniques.

• For an early-career cardiothoracic surgeon (within 7 years of first faculty appointment at the time of application deadline).
• $25,000 for 1 year (or 6 months)
• Deadline: 09/15/19

Carolyn E. Reed Traveling Fellowship Award (Women CT Surgeons and Women CT Residents Only)
Carolyn E. Reed, MD, was a thoracic surgeon, an educator and successful researcher, who died early while still in her prime. This award in her name provides support to travel to another institution for the purpose of learning a new skill or technology.

• For a clinically-established woman cardiothoracic surgeon, or woman resident in her last year of cardiothoracic surgery residency.
• Up to $10,000
• Deadline: 09/15/19

Robert L. Replogle Traveling Fellowship Award (Congenital Surgeons, CT Residents & Congenital Fellows Only)
Robert L. Replogle, MD, was a talented pediatric cardiac surgeon as well as an educator, researcher, and national leader in cardiothoracic surgery. The award named in Dr Replogle’s honor will be used for travel to another institution for the purpose of learning a novel technique, adapting innovative technology, and or fostering collaboration between surgical investigators in order to further the progress of congenital heart surgery at the recipient’s home institution.

• For early career congenital heart surgeons or who are within 7 years of completion of an ACGME-accredited congenital heart surgery fellowship (or its equivalent).
• Up to $10,000 for up to 4 weeks
• Deadline: 09/15/19

Sarns Terumo Perfusion Fellowship Award (Perfusionists Only)
Support to facilitate the continuing education of a deserving Board certified perfusionist committed to expanding cardiovascular perfusion education and knowledge base. To be used for travel to another institution for the purpose of learning unique techniques, simulation approaches, and opportunities to adapt innovative technology to further the progress and care of cardiothoracic surgery patients at the recipient’s home institution.

• For Board certified perfusionists.
• Up to $10,000
• Deadline: 09/15/19

Advanced Robotic Cardiac Surgery Fellowship (STS Workshop on Robotic Cardiac Surgery attendees Only)
This advanced fellowship opportunity will be awarded to a surgeon and their institution to support and facilitate the successful initiation of a high quality robotic cardiac surgery program at his/her home institution. Surgeon applicant and first assistant must have attended the STS Workshop on Robotic Cardiac Surgery, meet specific requirements confirming institutional support and resources, and have experience performing mitral valve repair and replacement and/or have significant OPCAB experience. The fellow will be assigned to a proctor, and the primary mentor/sponsor will assist the fellow with five robotic cases, at the fellow’s institution. This fellowship is supported by the generosity of Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

• For cardiothoracic surgeons (minimum of 3 years after first faculty appointment)
• Up to $25,000
• Deadline: 08/01/19

LEADERSHIP

The Levi Watkins Innovation and Leadership Development Scholarship (CT Surgeons Only)
Levi Watkins, MD, was an accomplished cardiothoracic surgeon and social activist at Johns Hopkins Medical Center, and made medical history by working with innovative physicians and engineers to implant the first automated internal cardiac defibrillator in a human-being. The award will support travel to a center of excellence to acquire additional clinical, translational or leadership training to enhance skills and practice in an area of innovation or surgical significance. The scholarship will be open to all applicants with particular consideration to the merits of candidates, the strength and achievability of the proposal and demonstration of a record of overcoming social and personal hurdles in the early stages of career development as surgeons.

• For cardiothoracic surgeons who are within 10 years of first faculty appointment.
• Up to $5,000 for up to 2 weeks
• Deadline: 09/15/19

TSF Alley-Sheridan Scholarship (CT Surgeons Only)
Ralph Alley, MD, was a Founding Member of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and served as President from 1975-1976. David Sheridan was an inventor and close friend of Dr Alley who held more than 50 patents for innovations that have improved health care. Moved by his collaborator and friend’s commitment to thoracic surgery, Sheridan created the Alley-Sheridan Fund, which provides the following educational opportunities for cardiothoracic surgeons:

1. Leadership Program in Health Policy Management: Up to 10 partial scholarships of $2,500 towards the cost to attend the Leadership Program at the Heller School of Public Policy and Management at Brandeis University.
   Deadline: 02/15/20
2. Surgeons as Educators: Support up to 2 scholarships of $2,500 towards the cost of tuition to attend the Surgeons As Educators Course hosted by the American College of Surgeons.
   Deadline: TBD

SURGICAL OUTREACH

TSF Every Heartbeat Matters Award (CT Surgeons Only)
Through the generosity and philanthropy of the Edwards Lifesciences Foundation, support is available for programs that educate, screen and/or treat underserved populations to reduce the global burden of heart valve disease, or to support other programs that advance health care and address underserved populations. Watch a video about this award here.

• For qualified surgeons who conduct charity work in underserved regions/populations.
• Up to $37,500
• Deadline: 10/15/19

TSF International Medical Volunteer Scholarship (CT Surgeons and Residents)
Through the generosity and philanthropy of the Edwards Lifesciences Foundation, a travel scholarship is available to support international medical volunteerism (charity work) in underserved regions/populations. The TSF International Medical Volunteer Scholar will join an upcoming TSF International Cardiac Surgery Outreach Award cardiac mission trip scheduled to occur in 2020. Watch a video about this award here.

• For cardiothoracic surgery residents, and early-career cardiothoracic surgeons (within 7 years of completion of CT surgery residency).
• $2,500
• Deadline: 03/27/20

TSF Latin America CT Surgery Conference Travel Scholarships (CT Surgeons and Residents)
Cardiothoracic surgeons, physicians, and residents from around the world who demonstrate a financial need are eligible for a $1,000 travel scholarship to attend the 2019 STS/EACTS Latin America Cardiovascular Surgery Conference, November 22-24, 2019 in Cancun, Mexico.

• Deadline: 10/01/19

*Subject to Change

The Thoracic Surgery Foundation is the charitable arm of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.