March 13th, 2009.

Dr. Nicholas A. Boon

President

British Cardiac Society

Dear Dr. Boon,

The European Society of Cardiology offers a variety of grants/fellowships to help young professionals in the field of cardiological training or research activities throughout Europe. We do believe that this is an excellent opportunity, and we would be obliged if you could disseminate this message to your members. This is one of several actions this Board has undertaken in order to increase cooperation with the National Societies and we want to increase our cooperation with you.

Different grants or fellowships concern specific areas of cardiology and eligibility criteria may vary between them. The number of grants has significantly increased in recent years with contributions from the Associations, Working Groups and Councils of the ESC.

Please find enclosed the directory of all the grants and fellowships presented by the ESC so you can have more information that may be useful to your members:

1) Grants and Fellowships proposed by the ESC:

a) ESC Training and Research Grants:

These are grants awarded to medical graduates at any stage in their career but before obtaining a "permanent", "senior staff" or "consultant" post, or for science graduates with research experience up to Junior Investigator, Lecturer, Assistant Professorship or equivalent level, whose work has been, or is, related to cardiovascular research. Any citizen or permanent resident of a country, which is a regular ESC member, can apply. ESC Research Grants are awarded for a period of twelve months, 3 months or 6 months (NEW THIS YEAR).

You can find the application form and read more about rules for ESC Research Grants at:

b) ESC Atherothrombosis Research Fellowship

The ESC offers three fellowship for European cardiologists under 36 years of age who wish to undertake original basic or applied/clinical research in the area of atherothrombotic diseases in a European centre of excellence for a maximum period of one year. Secondary research projects such as meta-analysis projects are excluded.

You can find the application form and read more about the rules at:

2) Grants and Fellowships proposed by the ESC Communities (subspecialties):

a) ESC Associations, registered branches of the ESC

i) Echocardiography research grant:

The European Association of Echocardiography (EAE) provides the opportunity for young doctors or science graduates with research experience to take part in a research programme in the cardiovascular ultrasound field in a high standard academic centre.

You can find the application form and read more about the rules at:

ii) Interventional Cardiology grant

The percutaneous intervention association (EAPCI) provides the opportunity to apply to either a research or clinical (training) grant in the interventional cardiology field, for medical graduates at any stage in their career but before obtaining a “permanent”, “senior staff” or "consultant" position, in an ESC regular member country other than their own.

You can find the application form and read more about the rules at:

iii) Training fellowship programme in electrophysiology

The Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) offers two training fellowships programmes:

(1) Clinical Electrophysiology with emphasis on catheter ablation

These fellowships aim to promote the development of academic medicine in the field of clinical electrophysiology with emphasis on catheter ablation, one- (Advanced) and two-year (Basic) Training Fellowships are available.

You can find the application form and read more about the rules at:

(2) Arrhythmias and Cardiac Pacing with emphasis on ICD/CRT

This training fellowship aims at promoting the development of academic medicine in the field of arrhythmias and cardiac pacing with emphasis on ICD/CRT and is designed for physicians with more extensive experience in the fields of cardiology and electrophysiology.

You can find the application form and read more about the rules at:

iv) Research fellowships in heart failure

The heart failure association (HFA) offers a two-year research fellowship for young cardiologist or basic scientist.

You can find the application form and read more about the rules at:

b) ESC Councils

i) Norman R. Alpert Visiting Scientist Award

This scientific award allows a European scientist to join a US laboratory for one year as a visiting scientist. Established by the Council on Basic Cardiovascular Sciences of the AHA and the Council on Basic Cardiovascular Science of the ESC.

Find more information regarding eligibility criteria and how to apply at:

ii) Outstanding achievement Award

This award is offer to European investigators involved in basic research who have recently established themselves as independent investigators, typically less than 45 years old. They must demonstrate to have a sustained outstanding productivity over several years, resulting in a significant contribution to their chosen field.

Find more information regarding eligibility criteria and how to apply at:

iii) Post-doctoral grants

The Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions (CCNAP) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) Cardiovascular Nursing Council are sponsoring five fellowship awards for new post-doctoral researchers and PhD students to attend the 9th Annual Spring Meeting on Cardiovascular Nursing and a post-doctoral seminar to be held in conjunction with the Spring Meeting.

Find more information regarding eligibility criteria and how to apply at:

iv) Atie Immink New Investigator Award

The ESC Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions (CCNAP) offers the New Investigator Award to recognise the outstanding contribution of young investigators in understanding, preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases in the nursing field. This is the first award to be established in cardiovascular nursing at a European level.

Find more information regarding eligibility criteria and how to apply at:

Please feel free to contact us regarding any further information needed; we will be happy to assist you in any possible matter.

Yours faithfully,

Prof. Roberto Ferrari

President of the ESC

Prof. Jose Luis Zamorano

Secretary of the ESC

Chair of the ESC Grant Committee