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TSF Research Award

Thoracic Surgery Foundation

Purpose

This grant is for cardiothoracic surgeons who have completed their formal training and are seeking initial support and recognition for their original research project. Awards of up to $85,000 per year for up to two years are granted to support the work of an early-career cardiothoracic surgeon. The awarded funds must be used solely for the direct expenses related to the proposed research project, including salary, services, and supplies; no additional funds will be provided. The award is not to be used to cover indirect expenses, fringe benefits, or expenditures that are not related to the project.

Preference will be given to either clinical- or laboratory-based investigations that are judged likely to generate data that will, in turn, facilitate subsequent funding support for the applicant. In making the awards, emphasis will be placed on originality; clear, concise presentation of a logical project; high probability of successful project completion; and importance of the work toward the advancement of cardiothoracic surgery.

If two years of funding are requested and awarded, a progress report must be approved by the chairperson of the TSF Research Committee prior to release of payment for the second year.

The STS Research Award designation will be given to the highest-ranking TSF Research Award applicant based on merit as judged by a rigorous peer review process. Award of up to $90,000 per year for up to two years is available for the STS Research Award.

Award Amount

Awards of up to $85,000 per year for up to two years are granted to support the work of an early-career cardiothoracic surgeon.

Required Application Materials

Biographical Information
Lay Summary of your Research Project (500 words or less)
Career Goals (100 words or less)
Career Development Plan and Environment (1,400 words or less)
Specific Aims (700 words or less)
Background and Significance (700 words or less)
Research Plan (3,500 words or less)
Budget and Justification (1,400 words or less)
Literature References (optional)
Applicant’s NIH Biosketch
Mentor’s NIH Biosketch
2 Letters of Support
Budget
Headshot Photograph
Optional: Other relevant data, such as figures, additional letters of support, etc.

Evaluation

In evaluating applications for the TSF Research Award Applications, the TSF Research Committee will evaluate applications based on: 1) the quality of the research (e.g., originality, feasibility); 2) expected research impact (e.g., importance of the research question, probability that the project will lead to meaningful progress or disruptive innovation in cardiothoracic surgery); and 3) the quality of the applicant and research environment.

Timeline

Application Open: July 1, 2025
Application Deadline: September 15, 2025
Applicants Notified of Award or Regrets: December 2025 - January 2026

AI Based Application Success Predictor

TSF operates on four foundational pillars—research, education, innovation, and humanitarian outreach—backed by over $1.7 million in annual grants and a history of nearly four decades supporting cardiothoracic surgical excellence.Thoracic Surgery Foundation+2Thoracic Surgery Foundation+2

Key Award Types

TSF Research Award

Offers up to $85,000 per year for up to two years, with an enhanced STS Research Award available at up to $90,000 per year.

Awards are targeted at early-career surgeons—within 7 years of their first faculty appointment—supporting original clinical or lab-based research designed to help secure future funding.Thoracic Surgery FoundationKeck School of Medicine of USC+1

Lung Cancer Research Award

Supports cardiothoracic surgeons, pulmonologists, or physician-scientists pursuing original projects aimed at reducing lung cancer burden via clinical, translational, or basic science work. Eligibility mirrors that of the general TSF Research Award.Thoracic Surgery Foundation

Education, Innovation, & Outreach Awards

Education: Traveling fellowships, e.g., robotic surgical training or leadership development programs.

Innovation: Funding for breakthroughs in surgical techniques, product development, artificial intelligence applications, or process improvements in CT surgery.

Humanitarian: Support for surgical care and training programs in underserved regions.Thoracic Surgery Foundation+1

⬆ Predictors of Success Among Awardees

1. Early-Career Recognition & Research Launchpad

Securing a TSF Research Award or its enhanced variant (STS Research Award) signals that an investigator is formulating well-designed, high-impact research feasible within early-career funding frameworks.
The peer-reviewed rigor underscores scientific credibility, and facilitating subsequent external grant competitiveness aligns well with career advancement goals.Thoracic Surgery Foundation+1

2. Specialized Focus with Wider Relevance

Lung Cancer Research Award recipients tend to tackle critical health issues with clear translational value—boosting both academic standing and potential clinical application.

3. Cross-Societal Networking & Visibility

TSF awardees are acknowledged during major STS events—and featured as part of TSF’s VIP & Awards Reception—offering visibility and recognition among thought leaders and peers.Thoracic Surgery Foundation

4. Mentorship & Trajectory Enhancement

Awardees often receive structured feedback, networking, or mentorship via TSF and STS channels, boosting their capacity for sustained research advancement.

5. Translational Drive & Broader Specialty Impact

Projects backed by TSF frequently leverage cutting-edge methodology—like the development of real-time patient-reported outcomes systems or regenerative approaches to myocardial injury—demonstrating both innovation and applied impact.Thoracic Surgery Foundation

Summary Table: TSF Award Success Factors

Award Type	Career Stage	Predictive Value
TSF / STS Research Award	Early-career**	Launches independent research and facilitates further funding success
Lung Cancer Research Award	Early-career**	Aligns with high-priority, translational research in pulmonary disease
Education / Innovation Awards	Early to mid-career	Enhances leadership, novel skills, and exposure to cutting-edge methods
Humanitarian Outreach Awards	Various career stages	Highlights global impact and commitment to equitable surgical care

Note: Eligibility generally applies to faculty within 7 years of first appointment, with exceptions possible for extraordinary circumstances.Thoracic Surgery Foundation

Final Thoughts

TSF-sponsored awards are strong indicators of research excellence, credibility, and potential. They help launch early-career surgeon-scientists, provide structured visibility, and position recipients for leadership in cardiothoracic innovations and outcomes.

Specialties

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Others

Eligibility Requirements

The applicant must be a cardiothoracic surgeon who has completed a program leading to certification by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery or its equivalent in a country outside of the United States, or who will be certified by the grant start date (July 1, 2026), and who is within seven years* of their first faculty appointment.

TSF recognizes that the support provided by a TSF Research Award may not be sufficient to fully fund the operational costs of your research project. Therefore, TSF research awardees are permitted to secure other research grants to supplement a TSF Research Award, but faculty are expected to have 30% of their time protected for research pursuits. Application for other external (e.g. NIH, DOD, AHRQ, PCORI, or other foundation grants) support during the TSF award period is encouraged. If an awardee receives additional funding during the period of a TSF award, the TSF funding will be managed administratively on a case-by-case basis; a TSF awardee is obligated to notify TSF in the event of such an award. Note that receipt of a faculty career development award (e.g. K08, K23) or R01-level or equivalent grant prior to applying for a TSF Research Award will weigh heavily against an applicant’s candidacy in the absence of extenuating circumstances.

*Extending applicant eligibility beyond seven years of their first faculty appointment may be considered under extraordinary circumstances. Examples include: career interruptions caused by military service, health challenges, or unusual family responsibilities. Exceptions must be requested in writing and approved by the President of the TSF Board of Directors prior to the application deadline.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Thoracic Surgery Foundation

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 633 N. St. Clair Street Suite 2100 Chicago, IL 60611

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