AATS Foundation/WTS Mid-Career Investigator Award
The AATS Foundation/WTS Mid-Career Investigator Award funds mid-career female cardiothoracic surgeon scientists to advance impactful research and promote academic leadership.
Funder: American Association for Thoracic Surgery
Due Dates: December 1, 2026 | December 2, 2026
Funding Amounts: Up to $50,000 per year for up to two years (maximum $100,000 total); smaller requests also considered.
Summary: Supports mid-career female cardiothoracic surgeon scientists with research funding to overcome professional barriers and advance academic careers.
Key Information: Only one awardee is selected annually; funds cannot be used for indirect institutional costs.
Description
This award, a partnership between the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) Foundation and Women in Thoracic Surgery (WTS), aims to foster the advancement of mid-career female cardiothoracic surgeon scientists. It addresses the unique barriers women face in academic cardiothoracic surgery, such as caregiver roles, non-promotable service burdens, and limited access to mid-career research funding. The grant supports clinical, translational, or basic science research projects that will generate preliminary data and strengthen future applications for larger, independent research grants, thereby promoting academic growth and leadership among women in the field.
