• 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 Functional Genomics and Translational Biology.  Please view a list of early career investigator awards and their affiliated Scientific Sessions 2013 abstract categories.  If your abstract is not submitted to and accepted in a FGTB-sponsored category, you are not eligible to apply for this specific grant.
• All applicants for the FGTB Minority Travel Grant 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 no later than July 31 for your membership to be processed in time for the application submission deadline.  Learn more about AHA membership.
• Applicants must currently be medical students, trainees, or Early Career Investigators.  Trainees are Ph.D.s and/or M.D.s (or doctoral equivalent) who are in a residency or fellowship position.  Early Career Investigators are Ph.D.s and/or M.D.s who have completed training only within the last four years or who are still within in the first four years after their first faculty appointment, as of the award application date. 
• The candidate must be a minority by the standard NIH definition: He or she belongs to a minority group underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral science careers, based on their minority group's representation in the total population. This includes American Indians (including Alaskan Natives, Eskimos and Aleutians), Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders, African Americans and *Hispanics.  Other candidates considered a minority are those from medically underserved populations with low socio-economic status and those living in rural areas to include whites.   *Hispanic countries include the following: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba,   Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela
• 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. 
• There are no citizenship requirements.

• 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 Functional Genomics and Translational Biology.  Please view a list of early career investigator awards and their affiliated Scientific Sessions 2013 abstract categories.  If your abstract is not submitted to and accepted in a FGTB-sponsored category, you are not eligible to apply for this specific grant.
• All applicants for the FGTB Minority Travel Grant 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 no later than July 31 for your membership to be processed in time for the application submission deadline.  Learn more about AHA membership.
• Applicants must currently be medical students, trainees, or Early Career Investigators.  Trainees are Ph.D.s and/or M.D.s (or doctoral equivalent) who are in a residency or fellowship position.  Early Career Investigators are Ph.D.s and/or M.D.s who have completed training only within the last four years or who are still within in the first four years after their first faculty appointment, as of the award application date. 
• The candidate must be a minority by the standard NIH definition: He or she belongs to a minority group underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral science careers, based on their minority group's representation in the total population. This includes American Indians (including Alaskan Natives, Eskimos and Aleutians), Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders, African Americans and *Hispanics.  Other candidates considered a minority are those from medically underserved populations with low socio-economic status and those living in rural areas to include whites.   *Hispanic countries include the following: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba,   Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela
• 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. 
• There are no citizenship requirements.

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.

Electronic submission through the Council Awards Application System is required.  Hard copies of any part of the application cannot be accepted.  This award will be available in the system for application after April 17, 2013.

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

• Curriculum vitae, including bibliography.
   
• 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 2013.   The candidate should be the first and presenting author on the abstract. 
   
• Applicant’s personal statement (no longer than one page, double-spaced), outlining the following:
  (1)   Your research interests and long term career goals
  (2)   How functional genomics and/or translational biology within the cardiovascular field fit into your long term goals 
  (3)   How receipt of the FGTB’s Minority Travel Grant will enhance future long-term goals
   
• Reference letter, preferably on electronic letterhead, signed by the candidate’s supervisor or an appropriate institutional officer which includes the following:
  • Confirmation of the applicant as a student, postdoctoral fellow, or faculty within four years of appointment and confirmation of the applicant's specific minority status
  • Candidate’s key accomplishments to date (or other forms of demonstrated excellence and recognition in the case of very junior trainees)
  • Assessment of relevant scientific attributes (intellectual curiosity, drive, critical thinking, problem-solving)
  • Potential for future success as a competitive investigator 

Visit the Council Awards & Fellowships Application System to complete an application. 

A username and password set up through online registration at My.AmericanHeart for Professionals 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 no later than July 31 for the membership number to be processed and delivered in time for the application deadline. The membership number will be required on the award application form.

A $500 travel grant will be awarded to one honoree annually.  The honoree will receive up to $500 to help defray travel expenses to attend AHA Scientific Sessions to present his or her abstract.

Reimbursement up to $500 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.  Awardee will be required to pay his or her own registration costs for the meeting.