• Abstract must be submitted to one of the categories for presentation at Scientific Sessions in which the Council on Basic Cardiovascular Sciences is the lead/primary sponsor.  Please view a list of early career investigator awards and their affiliated Scientific Sessions 2013 abstract categories.  Make sure that your abstract has been submitted in a category listed under the award for which you want to apply.
• Candidates include Ph.D.s and/or M.D.s 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 applicant sponsors for the award must be members of the Council on Basic Cardiovascular Sciences.   If you need to become an AHA/ASA Professional Member, you should do so by May 30 for your membership to be processed in time for the application submission deadline.  Learn more about AHA membership.
• An individual may not compete for similar young investigator awards from other American Heart Association scientific councils during the same year for the same meeting.
• Only one manuscript 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.
   

• Abstract must be submitted to one of the categories for presentation at Scientific Sessions in which the Council on Basic Cardiovascular Sciences is the lead/primary sponsor.  Please view a list of early career investigator awards and their affiliated Scientific Sessions 2013 abstract categories.  Make sure that your abstract has been submitted in a category listed under the award for which you want to apply.
• Candidates include Ph.D.s and/or M.D.s 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 applicant sponsors for the award must be members of the Council on Basic Cardiovascular Sciences.   If you need to become an AHA/ASA Professional Member, you should do so by May 30 for your membership to be processed in time for the application submission deadline.  Learn more about AHA membership.
• An individual may not compete for similar young investigator awards from other American Heart Association scientific councils during the same year for the same meeting.
• Only one manuscript 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
• Oral abstract presentation at Scientific Sessions (finalists only.)  The finalist must be the presenter of his/her submission and no alternates or proxy will be allowed.

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 on the award application form.
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 & Fellowships 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.  A link is provided on the system home page to aid you if you have forgotten your username and/or password.  If you do not have a username or password with us yet (an online profile), please set up a my.americanheart.org account prior to accessing the Council Awards & Fellowships Application System. This will enable you to create a profile, username and password free of charge and without obligation. Once completed, you will be taken back to 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 ASAP for the membership number to be processed and delivered in time for the application deadline.

Finalists for the Early Career Investigator Awards competitions associated with Scientific Sessions will be announced in August 2013.  The top candidates for the Katz Prize will present their research results at Scientific Sessions 2013.  The winner will be announced at the Annual BCVS Council Dinner.   Each finalist will also receive the following:

• Cash award: The first-prize winner will receive a plaque and $1,500; the other finalists will each receive a plaque and $500.
• Complimentary council dinner ticket, along with recognition and presentation of the plaque at the council dinner.