AATS Foundation/WTS Mid-Career Investigator Award
The AATS Foundation/WTS Mid-Career Investigator Award funds research by mid-career female cardiothoracic surgeon scientists to advance scientific discovery and support career development.
Funder: American Association for Thoracic Surgery
Due Dates: December 1, 2026 (Full application, 11:59pm Eastern) | December 2, 2026 (Full application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $50,000 per year for up to two years; smaller short-term requests also considered; no indirect costs allowed.
Summary: Supports mid-career female cardiothoracic surgeon scientists with research funding to overcome barriers to career advancement.
Key Information: Applicants must be within 15 years of cardiothoracic residency and hold a US or Canadian appointment.
Description
This award, a collaboration between the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) Foundation and Women in Thoracic Surgery (WTS), is designed to advance the careers of mid-career female cardiothoracic surgeon scientists who have encountered barriers to professional growth. It provides research funding for clinical, translational, or basic science projects, with the goal of generating preliminary data and resources to support future applications for larger independent grants. The program specifically seeks to address known challenges faced by women in the field, such as caregiver responsibilities, disproportionate non-promotable service loads, and systemic biases, thereby supporting faculty development and academic progression.
