International Visiting Professorship Award

The American Heart Association (AHA) recognizes the need to continue broadening research experiences for many scientists, including those beyond the borders of the United States (U.S.). This is particularly important considering the growing recognition that many critical medical conditions can be best solved using a global research approach. 

In recognition of this need, the American Heart Association is piloting a novel program to bring internationally based scientists to the U.S. for one week to foster scientific exchange. The goal of the program is to expand research experiences and collaborative opportunities for both the awarded Visiting Professor and his/her U.S.-based host in areas of research that align with the mission of the AHA.

Proposals must be submitted jointly by the two co-principal investigators (Co-PIs) – the host researcher based in the U.S. and the visiting international scholar.

Co-PIs must be independent researchers (i.e., must meet their institutions’ eligibility to apply for independent awards). This award is not intended for individuals in research training or fellowship positions.

At the time of proposal submission, each Co-PI must hold an MD, PhD, DO, DVM, DDS, or equivalent post-baccalaureate doctoral degree. Whereas proposals from all non-US institutions will be considered on behalf of the visiting international scholar Co-PI, proposals from visiting international scholar Co-PIs based in a low- or middle-income countries are particularly encouraged to apply.

The visiting international scholar Co-PI must:

• Hold a faculty/staff position solely at a non-U.S. institution (those holding appointments both in the U.S. and outside the U.S. are not eligible for this program).
• Provide a letter of support from their primary department/division head.
• Provide a letter of support from the U.S.-based Co-PI willing to host the applicant.
  • Because AHA cannot currently make awards to international sites, the U.S.-based Co-PI must affirm in the letter that their institution can accept funds for this program and reimburse the applicant for costs incurred directly related to this program.
  • The U.S.-based Co-PI institution additionally agrees to sponsor the application and accept award payments as well as ensuring that annual progress reports and expenditure reports are submitted to the AHA.

Applicants to the AHA’s Visiting International Professorship Award program will submit one application jointly.

The U.S.-based Co-PI institution will administer the project. The Co-PI from the U.S.-based institution will initiate the proposal process and be considered the administrative Co-PI on the application.

The U.S.-based Co-PI who initiates the application in ProposalCentral will add the name of the visiting international scholar Co-PI to the proposal.

The visiting international scholar Co-PI will receive an email invitation to join the proposal. This email is specific to the receiving investigator and should not be shared. A visiting international scholar Co-PI who does not receive an email from ProposalCentral should call 214-360-6107 (option 1).

Once joined to the application, each Co-PI must review and update their own Advanced Profile and upload a biosketch. Each biosketch has a 5-page limit.

The initiating U.S.-based Co-PI is responsible to upload the below submission requirements:

• Plan for Visiting Professorship (maximum 2 pages):
  • Co-PIs should work together to describe a timeline for the AHA’s Visiting International Professorship Award, along with experiences (e.g., lectures or workshops to be delivered and/or attended, training in research and/or analytic techniques, pilot research studies, etc.) and/or experiments to be conducted during the visit and how the proposed studies/plans will address a critical.
  • Co-PIs should work together to describe anticipated outcomes from the AHA’s Visiting International Professorship Award (e.g., preliminary studies for a joint grant submission or abstract submission, etc.) and an expected timeline for completion of outcomes.
  • Co-PIs should work together to describe how the proposed International Visiting International Professorship Award will align with the mission of the American Heart Association.

• Letter of support from the visiting international scholar Co-PI’s primary department head/supervisor (maximum 1 page). This letter should explicitly affirm support of the visiting international scholar Co-PI’s plan for the proposed Visiting Professorship, including time away from the visiting international scholar Co-PI’s home institution and release from concurrent academic and/or clinical responsibilities. The letter should also address the applicant’s research experience and/or potential.

• Letter of commitment from the U.S.-based Co-PI (maximum 1 page). Specific requirements for this letter are to include:
  • affirmation of willingness to host the visiting international scholar Co-PI  for an agreed duration of time consistent with the visiting international scholar Co-PI’s delineated plan, and support of all activities or actions proposed in the plan.
  • assurance that the U.S.-based Co-PI’s institution will accept funds for this program and administer all financial aspects of the program, such as reimbursement of the applicant for costs incurred directly related to this program.

Applicants are also required to complete the following sections in ProposalCentral:

• Project Summary - Write a concise description or abstract describing the collaborative work proposed. Note: This field will not accept any special characters or keystrokes (e.g., β, π, etc.).
  

• Non-Scientist Summary - Enter a description of the project that is written to be understood by non-scientists. This information may be reviewed by people who do not have scientific or medical backgrounds. Be clear and avoid technical and scientific terms, when possible. When formulating your lay summary, it might help to imagine that you are explaining your work to a new acquaintance who does not work in the science field. NOTE: It is incumbent upon the applicant to make a clear link between the project and the mission of the AHA.

Total Award Amount: Up to $10,000 U.S. dollars, including 10 percent indirect costs

Anticipated Awards: The AHA anticipates funding up to 20 awards for this pilot program.

Award Duration: One year. No-cost extensions are not permitted, and the awards are non-renewable. Any residual funds at the end of the one-year period must be returned to the AHA. 

Allowable Expenses:

• Awarded funds may be used for travel expenses incurred during the Visiting Professorship, including airfare to and from the U.S., lodging, food, ground transportation, and incidentals.
• Airfare pricing should reflect economy and/or equivalent pricing.
• Funds may also be used for consumables and/or other supplies necessary for any proof-of-concept studies conducted while at the host institution.

Funding MAY NOT be used for faculty salary or benefits, administrative support, tuition, or capital equipment.

• An applicant may be the Co-PI on only one Visiting International Professorship Award.
• A Visiting International Professorship Awardee may also apply for or hold another AHA research award (e.g., Established Investigator Award, Collaborative Sciences Award, Innovative Project Award, Transformational Project Award, AHA Institutional Research Enhancement Award, or Career Development Award) and may be the program director or sponsor on an AHA Institutional Undergraduate Fellowship Program award.
• Strategically Focused Research Network personnel may hold individual AHA awards, including a Collaborative Sciences Award.
• Participation of the visiting international scholar Co-PI awardee in any animal and/or human studies while at the host U.S. institution must only be conducted under an approved IACUC and/or IRB protocol. It is the responsibility of the host institution to ensure compliance with these and all other regulatory requirements related to any proof-of-concept studies.
• As noted above, funds for this program will be awarded to and administered by the U.S.-based host institution.

General: All submissions will be initially reviewed by AHA staff to ensure compliance with all required submission documents. Any proposal not in compliance with required documents will be administratively withdrawn and will not be considered for funding.

Proposals that include all required documents will be assigned to a study section composed of senior volunteer experts for review and scoring of each proposal. Peer review will include assessment of the following:

Institutional Considerations: Priority may be given to submissions from individuals based in a low- or middle-income countries.

Alignment with Program Priorities: Competitive proposals will provide evidence of the following:

• Opportunity to expand research capabilities of the visiting investigator
• Evidence for establishment of initial and longer-term collaborative opportunities that align with the mission of the American Heart Association