1. Road to Independence Bill Fay, MD University of Missouri FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No relevant financial relationships exist

2. AHA Research Strategic Plan Target early career investigators Promote collaborative/multi- disciplinary studies Support high-risk/high reward research Fund a balanced research portfolio Have an international scope

3. AHA Research Grants Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Predoctoral Fellowship Postdoctoral Fellowship Fellow-to-Faculty Transition Award Clinical Research Program Beginning Grant-in-Aid Scientist Development Award Early Career Programs Established Investigator Programs Grant-in-Aid Established Investigator Award

4. AHA Affiliates

5. Objective Encourage promising undergrads to consider research careers while supporting the highest quality scientific investigation broadly related to CVD and stroke. Eligibility Juniors or senior enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree program Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Offered by Affiliates – New in 2009

6. Objective Help students initiate careers in CV research by providing research assistance and training Eligibility Post-baccalaureate, pre-doctoral MD, PhD, DO, DVM or equivalent degree Sponsor/mentor required Devote full time to research or activities directly related to research development Predoctoral Fellowship Offered by all Affiliates

7. Objective Help trainee initiate a career in CV and stroke research Support highly meritorious research Eligibility MD, PhD, DO, DVM or equivalent degree Sponsor/mentor required Not for individuals with faculty/staff appointments Must devote at least 80% effort to research training Postdoctoral Fellowship Offered by all Affiliates

8. Objectives Target early career investigators in mentored environment Support introductory and pilot clinical studies Foster translational science and population-based research Clinical Research Program Offered by Affiliates & National

9. Eligibility Health care professionals with Masters, MD, DO or PhD degree Mentor required Cannot hold or have held: –NIH RO1, R21, PO1 –AHA BGIA, SDG, EIA, GIA –Other equivalent independent award Clinical Research Program

10. Objective –Fund highly meritorious physician- scientists –Target crucial period of career development spanning completion of research training through early faculty years Fellow-to-Faculty Transition Award Offered by National

11. Eligibility –Physician (MD, MD/PhD, DO or equivalent) –Must be enrolled in or have completed an ACGME-approved residency or clinical fellowship program –Must have completed the clinical portion of training program Fellow-to-Faculty Transition Award

12. Objective Promote independent status of promising beginning scientists Eligibility MD, PhD, DO, DVM or equivalent degree Must have faculty or staff appointment –Rank < Assistant Professor Beginning Grant-in-Aid Offered by Affiliates

13. Objective Support highly promising beginning scientists Target career stage between completion of research training and emergence as independent investigator Scientist Development Grant Offered by Affiliates & National

14. Eligibility at Application: MD, PhD, DO, DVM or equivalent degree May be in final year of postdoctoral training or initial years of independent research career Must have faculty or staff appointment –Rank < assistant professor No more than 4 yrs since 1st faculty/staff appointment at Assistant Professor or equivalent level Cannot have received a prior national-level grant Scientist Development Grant

15. AHA Early Career Funding Opportunities ProgramTarget AudienceAnnual MinimumDuration Summer Undergraduate Undergraduate students $4,000 per student10 weeks Predoctoral PhD, MD students$17,000/year stipend3 months to 2 years Postdoctoral PhD, MD students, not yet independent $30,000/year stipend2-3 years Fellow-to- Faculty Transition Awards M.D., M.D./PhD., D.O. who seek research training under a sponsor/mentor $593,000 over 5 years 5 years Clinical Research Program PhD, MD students. MA, MD, DO or PhD not yet independent $55,000/year2 years Beginning Grant in Aid 1st Faculty/Staff appt. through Asst. Prof. $40,000/year up to 50% of PI salary 2 years Scientist Development Grant 4 years since 1st Faculty/Staff appt. $60,000-77,000/year up to 50% of PI salary 3 or 4 years

16. Some advice… Mentorship is key! –Lab director, program director, chair –Where, when, how to apply –Multiple drafts promote success Get colleagues to read your grant –Actual reviewers may be outside your field –Makes you start early Read successfully funded grants

17. Some advice… Attend local grantsmanship workshops Avoid over-ambitious proposals Dont give up after one try! Demonstrate institutional commitment –SDG/Non-tenure track faculty position Know your study section Do peer review!

18. Some advice… Assemble a team –Include senior investigators Enjoy the process!

19. And if you get an AHA grant….this could be you! Martin Chalfie, Ph.D. 2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry Type of AHA Awards: British-American Research Fellowship, 1977

20. 19 Questions