• Candidate must be actively involved in research related to peripheral vascular disease.
• Abstract must be submitted to one of the categories listed under the award you would like to apply for at Scientific Sessions in which the Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease is the lead/primary sponsor.  Please view a list of early career investigator awards and their affiliated Scientific Sessions 2013 abstract categories. 
• Candidates include medical students, trainees/fellows, and Ph.D.s and/or M.D.s in active research who have completed training only within the last four years; or Ph.D.s and/or M.D.s who are still within in the first four years after their first faculty appointment, as of the award application date.
• All applicants and primary applicant references/sponsors for the award must be members of the Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease.   If you need to become an AHA/ASA Professional Member, you should do so by May 30.
• Only one application per candidate will be considered.
• The applicant must be the first and presenting author, although the manuscript may have co-authors.
• Finalists are not eligible to re-enter the competition in subsequent years.
• There are no citizenship requirements.
• The work covered by the abstract must not have been published (manuscript or abstract) before the date and time of presentation at Scientific Sessions 2013.  Abstract data may not be presented at a national or international meeting or world congress before the date and time of presentation at Scientific Sessions 2013. The abstract must comply with the AHA Abstract Submission Guidelines as outlined by the Committee on Scientific Sessions Program.
• Abstracts/manuscripts eligible for this award must be based upon projects that adhere to the American Heart Association’s policies governing all research awards, regardless of whether the project was funded by the American Heart Association.  These policies are available here and include (but are not limited to) research using human subjects or animals and stem cell research.
• Notwithstanding the above, the AHA Officers have the discretion to determine eligibility for the award in extraordinary circumstances when there is an issue relating to AHA policy or positions or other potentially controversial issue relating to the positioning or perception of the AHA.

• Candidate must be actively involved in research related to peripheral vascular disease.
• Abstract must be submitted to one of the categories listed under the award you would like to apply for at Scientific Sessions in which the Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease is the lead/primary sponsor.  Please view a list of early career investigator awards and their affiliated Scientific Sessions 2013 abstract categories. 
• Candidates include medical students, trainees/fellows, and Ph.D.s and/or M.D.s in active research who have completed training only within the last four years; or Ph.D.s and/or M.D.s who are still within in the first four years after their first faculty appointment, as of the award application date.
• All applicants and primary applicant references/sponsors for the award must be members of the Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease.   If you need to become an AHA/ASA Professional Member, you should do so by May 30.
• Only one application per candidate will be considered.
• The applicant must be the first and presenting author, although the manuscript may have co-authors.
• Finalists are not eligible to re-enter the competition in subsequent years.
• There are no citizenship requirements.
• The work covered by the abstract must not have been published (manuscript or abstract) before the date and time of presentation at Scientific Sessions 2013.  Abstract data may not be presented at a national or international meeting or world congress before the date and time of presentation at Scientific Sessions 2013. The abstract must comply with the AHA Abstract Submission Guidelines as outlined by the Committee on Scientific Sessions Program.
• Abstracts/manuscripts eligible for this award must be based upon projects that adhere to the American Heart Association’s policies governing all research awards, regardless of whether the project was funded by the American Heart Association.  These policies are available here and include (but are not limited to) research using human subjects or animals and stem cell research.
• Notwithstanding the above, the AHA Officers have the discretion to determine eligibility for the award in extraordinary circumstances when there is an issue relating to AHA policy or positions or other potentially controversial issue relating to the positioning or perception of the AHA.

Panels of distinguished researchers, scientists, clinicians and academicians representing the breadth of cardiovascular disease and stroke will judge applications.   Applications will be judged on the following:

• Scientific merit of the abstract
• Quality and originality of the manuscript
• Letter from the candidate's sponsor and any other reference letters
• Candidate's curriculum vitae

Electronic submission through the Council Awards Application System is required.  Hard copies of any part of the application cannot be accepted. 

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

1. AHA abstract in accordance with AHA rules and regulations for submitting abstracts to Scientific Sessions 2013.  Please note that this abstract must first be submitted through the AHA's Scientific Sessions 2013 website before the abstract submission deadline.  Visit Scientific Sessions to submit your abstract before submission of this award application as your abstract control number will be needed for the award application.
2. An unpublished manuscript based on independent research.
3. Curriculum vitae and bibliography. 
4. A letter detailing how much of the design and research work was done by the candidate and by any co-investigators.  The candidate's immediate supervisor, division head, department chairman, or institute director must write this statement.  In case of multi-authored manuscripts, the supervisor should also indicate that among all the co-authors the applicant is the most appropriate candidate for the award, and offer rationale for this opinion.  Supportive statements of the candidate and his or her relevant qualifications as a researcher are also encouraged.

Though not required, up to two additional letters of support or reference from individuals familiar with the applicant, his or her background, or his or her research may be submitted. Inclusion of additional support letters does not guarantee higher consideration of an application, but can be beneficial.

Visit the Council Awards Application System to complete an application. 

A username and password previously set up through online registration at My.AmericanHeart for Professionals will be necessary to access the Application System.  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 by May 30 for the membership number to be processed and delivered in time for the application deadline.

The winner will be notified in August and will receive the following:

• $500 travel stipend to attend Scientific Sessions to present his or her research
• Complimentary ticket to the PVD Council Dinner at Scientific Sessions in November, along with recognition and presentation of an engraved plaque at the dinner.
• Letter of recognition written by PVD Council officers to the awardee’s department chairperson