Stroke Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Groups Travel Grant and the Bernard J. Tyson Career Development Award

The Council on Stroke is offering a travel grant to underrepresented racial and ethnic groups (UREG) early career investigators and students who will be presenting research at the International Stroke Conference (ISC). The award will honor accomplished UREG students and early career investigators while enabling them to get more involved in the AHA/ASA and the International Stroke Conference. These awards provide travel funding for UREG early career investigators who have abstracts accepted to the AHA/ASA's International Stroke Conference. A limited number of grants are available and based on the applicant's abstract score as determined by AHA/ASA reviewers.

In addition to the travel grant, winners will receive a Bernard J. Tyson Career Development Award. This award provides those selected for the Stroke UREG Travel Grant with the opportunity to participate in one year of mentorship with a science leader in the field, and to networking and engagement opportunities including annual, exclusive webinar discussions with science and council leaders. The mentorship will include support for future abstract submissions.

A limited number of grants are available and based on the applicant's abstract score as determined by AHA/ASA reviewers.

Eligibility Criteria

• All applicants for the Travel Grant must be members of the AHA with affiliation to the Stroke Council at the time of application. If you need to become an AHA/ASA Professional Member, you should do so no later than one week prior to the award submission deadline for your membership to be processed in time. Learn more about becoming an AHA Professional Member.
• The candidate must be a UREG by the standard NIH definition: He or she belongs to a population underrepresented in the extramural scientific workforce, based on their representation in the total population. This includes American Indians (including Alaskan Natives, Eskimos, and Aleutians), Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders, Blacks or African Americans and Hispanics or Latinos.
• The candidate must be a U.S. citizen, a noncitizen national (born in American Samoa or Swains Island), or a U.S. permanent resident.
• The candidate must submit a previously unpublished abstract in accordance with AHA rules and regulations for submitting abstracts to the International Stroke Conference.
• All applicants for travel grants sponsored by a scientific council must be members of the AHA Stroke Council at any level.
• 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), as of the award application date.
• Applicants may apply for a travel grant 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 grant, even if multiple abstracts are accepted to the International Stroke Conference.
• Winners are not eligible to receive funding for the same grant in subsequent years.
• The applicant must be able to present the abstract during the International Stroke Conference, 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.

How to Apply/Required Documents

Electronic submission through the Council Awards Application System is required. Hard copies of any part of the nomination cannot be accepted. Application file should contain the following documents in PDF format (Hard copies of any part of the application cannot be accepted):

• A copy of the unpublished abstract that has been submitted for presentation in accordance with AHA/ASA rules and regulations for submitting abstracts to the International Stroke Conference. The candidate should be the first and presenting author on the abstract.
• Candidate Curriculum Vitae or resume.
• A 1-2 paragraph candidate statement about what this award would mean for you and your career.
• Original letter on electronic letterhead, signed by the candidate's supervisor or an appropriate institutional officer, confirming the applicant’s status as an early career investigator who is underrepresented in the extramural scientific workforce based on the NIH definition. This letter will not be used as a recommendation letter (i.e. only the information requested should be in the letter):
  • He or she belongs to a population underrepresented in the extramural scientific workforce, based on their representation in the total population.
  • Active in research and still be in training as an undergraduate or pre-doctoral student, or 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).

Follow these instructions to access the AHA Council Awards System and to complete an application.

Awardee Selection

The application will be judged based on the scientific ranking of the candidate's abstract and how it ranks against other applicants, the candidate’s statement, and CV.

Abstract presenters for ISC will be notified by October. Applicants for this award should submit their applications before presenter notifications are received. However, only those who have abstracts accepted for presentation will ultimately be eligible to receive a travel grant. Applicants whose abstract is not accepted for presentation may be eligible for a mentorship assignment.

Prizes

Up to 5 candidates from the pool of eligible applicants may be awarded.

Each winner will receive:

• One (1) complimentary ticket to the ISC Member Welcome Reception and the Bernard J. Tyson Career Development Award Reception. Attendance at the International Stroke Conference and the council hosted events are mandatory and will be verified before the grant is awarded.
• Reimbursement for eligible travel expenses up to $2,000

Winners will be notified in October and will be required to pay their registration for the meeting. In addition to the travel grant, winners will receive a Bernard J. Tyson Career Development Award. This award provides those selected with the opportunity to be paired with a Stroke Council Minority (UREG) Affairs Committee member to help them navigate the International Stroke Conference. They will also be invited to participate in one year of mentorship with a science leader in the field and to networking and engagement opportunities.