GPM International Travel Grant

The Council on Genomic and Precision Medicine (GPM) proudly supports and encourages the research efforts of early career investigators and trainees from the United States and abroad. The Council is offering a travel grant to international students and early career members to attend Scientific Sessions, to present abstracts. The award will honor accomplished international students and early career investigators while enabling them to get more involved in the AHA and in Scientific Sessions.

Eligibility Criteria

• The applicant must be conducting genomics, proteomics and metabolomic research and translational science in the field of cardiovascular disease.
• Applicants must have submitted an abstract to the AHA Scientific Sessions in accordance with the rules and regulations for submitting abstracts to one of the categories primarily sponsored by the Council on Genomic and Precision Medicine. Please view a list of Scientific Sessions Council Awards and Travel Grants Available by Abstract Category and Community (PDF) and their affiliated early career investigator awards. If your abstract is not submitted to and accepted in a GPM-sponsored category, you are not eligible to apply for this specific grant.
• All applicants for this award must be members of the Council at the time of application. If you need to become an AHA/ASA Professional Member, you should do so at least 2 weeks prior to the application submission deadline. Learn more about AHA membership.
• Applicant must be active in research and still be in training as an undergraduate or pre-doctoral student, or be within 10 years of completing medical fellowship (or residency as NIH states, MDs would be Fellows for 3-6 years of the 7-10), terminal degree or highest certificate (e.g. BSc, MSc).
• Winners are not eligible to re-enter the competition in subsequent years.
• The applicant must be able to present the abstract at the AHA Scientific Sessions, either in an oral abstract session or a poster session. If the applicant is unable to present the abstract, he/she will be disqualified from the award.
• Applicants may apply for a travel award multiple times with different abstracts, as long as the applicant is the presenting author on each abstract. However, an applicant is eligible to receive only one travel stipend, even if multiple abstracts are accepted to Scientific Sessions.
• The candidate must not be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States and the candidate must currently be working outside the United States.
• Each applicant for AHA council-sponsored awards, regardless of award category, is eligible to receive only one council-sponsored award per AHA conference per year. (For example, an Early Career Investigator Award finalist will not be eligible to receive a travel grant for the same meeting.)

Evaluation Criteria

The selection committee will consider the following criteria to determine the most deserving applicants:

• Academic record of the applicant
• Applicant’s perceived interest in biomedical research
• Mentor’s assessment of the applicant’s commitment to biomedical research
• Evidence of an excellent environment for research training for the applicant

The applicant’s abstract must have also been selected for presentation at Scientific Sessions.

How to Apply/Required Documents

Electronic submission through the Council Awards Application System is required by the application deadline date. Hard copies of any part of the application cannot be accepted. Abstracts and application material must be submitted in English.

**Candidates may apply for more than one travel grant; however, an applicant is eligible to receive only one travel grant.

Your application file should contain the following documents in electronic format:

• Curriculum vitae and bibliography
• Proof of citizenship in specified country (ID card or passport copy)
• A copy of the unpublished abstract that has been submitted for presentation to Scientific Sessions in accordance with AHA rules and regulations for submitting abstracts to Scientific Sessions. The candidate should be the first and presenting author on the abstract. Please note the abstract control number you receive after submitting your abstract as it will be needed on your award application form.
• Original letter on electronic letterhead, signed by the candidate’s supervisor or an appropriate institutional officer, which includes the following (No additional references are required):
  • Applicant's status as a graduate student, postdoctoral fellow, instructor, or research fellow.
  • Supportive statements of the candidate and his/her relevant qualifications as a researcher are also encouraged. 

Visit the Council Awards Application System to complete an application.

A username and password previously set up through online profile registration at Professional Heart Daily will be necessary to access the Application System. . If you have not created an online profile yet, you may register as you enter the Application System by clicking "Sign Up" next to the Log In button on the sign-in page. AHA Professional Members who are creating an online profile for the first time should make sure to register using their AHA membership identification numbers.

AHA Professional Membership is required of all applicants for this award. If you are joining the AHA to apply, please wait on your AHA membership number to arrive from AHA Member Services via e-mail before creating an online profile and starting your application file. We suggest that new members join the AHA at least 1 week prior to the application submission deadline. The membership number will be required on the award application form.

Prize

Up to two $1,000 travel grants will be awarded annually. The honorees will receive up to $1,000 each to help defray travel expenses to attend AHA Scientific Sessions to present their abstracts.

Reimbursement up to $1,000 each will be made after eligible travel receipts (airfare, hotel, ground transportation) are submitted to the AHA after the meeting. Meals are not included as reimbursable expenses. Awardees will be required to pay his or her own registration costs for the meeting.

• For rules and regulations for submitting abstracts to the Scientific Sessions, visit Abstract Submission Guidelines (PDF)
• Submit your application at Council Awards System
• Join or renew AHA/ASA Professional Membership

Questions

• Awards: [email protected]
• Membership: [email protected]
• Password/Login: [email protected]
• Abstract Submission: [email protected]