AATS Foundation/WTS Mid-Career Investigator Award
This grant funds mid-career female cardiothoracic surgeons to advance clinical, translational, or basic science research and help overcome barriers to career advancement.
Funder: American Association for Thoracic Surgery
Due Dates: December 1, 2026 (Application deadline, 11:59pm Eastern) | December 2, 2026 (Alternate deadline listed)
Funding Amounts: Up to $50,000 per year for up to two years; smaller short-term requests also considered.
Summary: Supports mid-career female cardiothoracic surgeon scientists with research funding to overcome career barriers and advance academic progression.
Key Information: For mid-career women in cardiothoracic surgery facing external barriers; research can be clinical, translational, or basic science.
Description
This award is a collaboration between the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) Foundation and Women in Thoracic Surgery (WTS), created to address the lack of funding opportunities for mid-career female cardiothoracic surgeon scientists. It is designed to support those who have encountered external barriers to professional growth by providing research funding for clinical, translational, or basic science projects. The goal is to help recipients generate preliminary data or foundational work necessary for future applications to larger independent grants, thereby advancing their research careers. Applicants must demonstrate prior research experience, articulate a plan for continued research funding beyond the award, and describe how the support will help overcome challenges to career advancement.
