Kathleen A. Dracup Distinguished Lecture and Exemplary Career in Mentoring Award

Applicants or nominees for this award must meet the following criteria:

• Be current member and have maintained an active member status in the AHA Scientific Council sponsoring this award for a minimum of five years. Your council affiliation will be validated during the application process. Membership must be completed online. Please note that membership processing may take 3-5 days; do not wait until the proposal deadline to Join or Renew.
• Have notable involvement in the CVSN Council.
• Have an established track record in mentoring future leaders in cardiovascular and stroke research, practice or leadership.
• Be available to present as keynote speaker of the early career sessions at AHA Scientific Sessions.
• Current CVSN Early Career Awards Committee members are not eligible to apply for or be nominated for the award.

The letters of support must clearly address the following areas:

• The candidate has received previous recognition for mentoring (college, university, chapter, or national recognition.)
• The candidate’s mentees have received national recognition for their contribution to cardiovascular and stroke science as evidence by contributions to the literature, contributions to evidence-based practice, contributions to health systems.

Applications will be reviewed by a panel of accomplished researchers, scientists, clinicians and academicians representing the breadth of cardiovascular sciences.

• AHA Policies and Guiding Values
• Code of Ethics
• AHA’s Peer Reviewer Certification Statement (PDF)

Contacting the review panel, including but not limited to phone calls, emails, social media messages, or any other form of communication, before submitting your application or during the review process will result in disqualification.

• June 1, 2025 – Deadline to have an active AHA professional membership with the council sponsoring the award. Membership must be completed online. Please note that membership processing may take 3-5 days; do not wait until the proposal deadline to Join or Renew.
• June 6, 2025, 6 p.m. (CDT) – Deadline to apply for the award in the Council Awards Application System. This deadline will not be extended.
• July 2025 – Nominator/Nominee is notified of their award status (selected or not selected).

Electronic submission through the Council Awards Application System is mandatory. Hard copies of any part of the application will not be accepted.

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

• Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of Nomination or Candidate Statement: Original letter drafted on electronic letterhead with a signature. The letter should outline and provide clear examples of how the candidate meets the criteria.
• List of Mentees and Current Positions
• Up to Three Optional Letters of Support from Mentees

Visit the Council Awards Application System to complete an application.

A username and password previously set up through online registration at Professional Heart Daily (PHD) 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.

An active AHA Professional Membership is required of all applicants for this award. If you are joining the AHA to apply, please wait for your AHA member 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 one week prior to the application submission deadline for the member ID number to be processed and delivered in time for the application deadline. The membership number will be required on the award application form.

1. Click the link for the Council Awards Application System.
2. Sign in with your Professional Heart Daily username and password.
3. Follow these instructions to set up your profile in ProposalCentral. Setting up your ProposalCentral profile will only need to be done the first time you login to apply for an American Heart Association Council Awards. Please note that the grant maker named American Heart Association is for AHA Research Awards and is a separate log in.
4. To apply for award, follow these steps:
   • Create New Proposal: Start by selecting "Create New Proposal."
   • Filter by Grant Maker: Choose "American Heart Association Council Awards."
   • Select Program: From the Programs list, select "Scientific Sessions Career Achievement Awards in Mentoring."
   • Apply Now: Click the "Apply Now" button.
   • Choose Award: Within the application, select the award.
   • For more detailed information on ProposalCentral, also included are additional materials on specific ProposalCentral functionality.
     1. How to Create an Application in ProposalCentral (PDF)
     2. How to Register a ProposalCentral User (PDF)
     3. How To Add Publications in ProposalCentral (PDF)

• Complimentary registration to Scientific Sessions
• Two (2) complimentary tickets to the CVSA Council Dinner
• An engraved plaque
• $1,000 honorarium