Nina Starr Braunwald Research Fellowship Award

About the Award

This award is designed to provide salary and/or direct experimental support for women cardiac surgical trainees who wish to acquire investigational skills. Although a specific research program is required as the major component of the application, emphasis 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 cardiac surgery.

Eligibility

• Women residents working in a cardiac surgical clinic or laboratory research program who have not yet completed cardiothoracic surgical training.
• Women general or cardiac surgical trainees who intend to pursue a career in investigative cardiac surgery and whose program director indicates that the applicant will be allowed not less than 80% protected time for research.

Award Amount

Support of up to $55,000 per year for up to two years. 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. No additional funds will be paid out for indirect, fringe, or other unrelated expenditures.

Required Application Materials

• Biographical Information
• Career Goals (150 words)
• Lay Summary of your Research Project (500 words or less)
• Research Training Plan and Institutional Resources (1,600 words or less)
• Specific Aims (700 words or less)
• Background and Significance (1,000 words or less)
• Research Plan (3,500 words)
• Budget and Justification (1,400 words or less)
• Literature References (optional)
• Applicant’s NIH Biosketch
• Mentor’s NIH Biosketch
• 2 Letters of Support
• Headshot Photograph
• Optional: Other relevant data, such as figures, additional letters of support, etc.

Timeline

• Application Open: July 1, 2026
• Application Deadline: September 15, 2026
• Applicants Notified of Award or Regrets: December 2026 - January 2027