Sponsored by the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and
Dr. Benedict S. Maniscalco

The Council on Cardiovascular Nursing is committed to professional growth of new investigators.  The Martha N. Hill New Investigator Award recognizes the outstanding contributions of these investigators in understanding, preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases.  Basic and clinical research will be recognized.

This award is sponsored by a generous grant from Dr. Benedict S. Maniscalco.

Eligibility Criteria

• Abstract must be submitted to one of the categories for presentation at the AHA's Scientific Sessions in which the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing is the lead/primary sponsor.
• The work covered by the abstract must not have been published (manuscript or abstract) before the date and time of presentation at Scientific Sessions 2009.  Abstract data may not be presented at a national or international meeting or world congress before the date and time of presentation at Scientific Sessions 2009.
• The abstract must comply with the AHA Abstract Submission Guidelines as outlined by the Committee on Scientific Sessions Program.

• Applicants may only be considered for a council’s award if the abstract is submitted to a category primarily sponsored by that council.  Please view a list of early career investigator awards and their affiliated Scientific Sessions abstract categories.  Submit your abstract in a category listed under the award for which you want to apply.
• Candidates must be doctorally-prepared registered nurses (must be an R.N. with a Ph.D.)  The Ph.D. must have been received no more than five years prior to award application.
• All applicants and applicant sponsors for Early Career Investigator Awards sponsored by a Scientific Council must be members of the AHA/ASA.  If you need to join the AHA, we suggest you do so at least one week prior to submitting your application due to the time needed to process the membership number required on your award application form.

• An individual may not compete for similar young investigator awards from the other American Heart Association scientific councils during the same scientific meeting.
• Only one manuscript per candidate will be considered.
• The applicant must be the first and presenting author, although the manuscript may have co-authors.
• Finalists are not eligible to re-enter the competition in subsequent years.
• There are no citizenship requirements.
• The finalists must be available to attend the Cardiovascular Nursing Council Dinner on Tuesday, Nov. 17, in Orlando at Scientific Sessions 2009 to accept the award.

Evaluation Criteria

Panels of distinguished researchers, scientists, nurses, clinicians and academicians representing the breadth of cardiovascular disease and stroke will judge applications.  Applications will be judged on the:

• Scientific merit of the abstract
• Qquality and originality of the manuscript.
• Letter from the candidate's sponsor and any other reference letters
• Oral abstract presentation at Scientific Sessions (finalists only.)  The finalist must be the presenter of his/her submission and no alternates or proxy will be allowed.

Prize

Finalists for the Early Career Investigator Awards competitions associated with Scientific Sessions will be announced in August 2009.  The top candidates for the Hill Award will present their research results at Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Fla., on Nov. 15, 2009.  The winner will be announced at the Annual CVN Council Dinner on Nov. 17.  Each finalist will also receive the following:

• Cash award: The first-prize winner will receive a plaque and $1,000; two additional finalists will each receive a plaque and $500.
• Complimentary council dinner ticket, along with recognition and presentation of the plaque at the council dinner.

Each finalist will be designated in the Scientific Sessions Program and the Scientific Sessions supplement to Circulation.  Acceptance for the competition does not guarantee publication in any other American Heart Association-sponsored journal.

How To Apply/Required Documents

Electronic submission through the AHA Submission Site is mandatory for all awards associated with Scientific Sessions.  The following forms and sites are required to apply.  Adobe Acrobat© Writer will be needed to complete the application form and attach the required documents. 

Adobe Acrobat© Standard or Adobe Acrobat© Professional software, both of which include Adobe Writer, will be needed to complete the AHA application form and attach the required documents for these awards.  We strongly encourage you to read the application instructions thoroughly before building an application.    Clicking on the links below will take you to the appropriate pages.

• Instructions
• Application Form
• Submission Site

Word versions submitted electronically cannot be processed and are not considered electronic submissions.  Word or PDF versions submitted via e-mail are not considered electronic submissions.  Hard copies of any part of the application will not be accepted.

Your application form should contain the following documents, to be inserted into the form in PDF format:

1. AHA abstract in accordance with AHA rules and regulations for submitting abstracts to Scientific Sessions.  Please note that this abstract must first be submitted through the AHA's Scientific Sessions 2009 Web site by June 5, 2009.  Visit  www.scientificsessions.org to submit your abstract by June 5, 2009, and before submission of this award application.
2. An unpublished manuscript based on independent research.  (35-page limitation, including references, tables, and figures.)  Full-length dissertations or documents that appear to be in a dissertation format will not be accepted.
3. Curriculum vitae, including bibliography. 
4. Letter from the candidate's immediate supervisor, division head, department chairman, or institute director detailing how much of the design and research work was done by the candidate and by any co-investigators.  This letter may also address the candidate's strengths and research experience.  In case of multi-authored manuscripts, the supervisor should also indicate that among all the co-authors the applicant is the most appropriate candidate for the award, and offer rationale for this opinion.

Though not required, up to two additional letters of support or reference from individuals familiar with the applicant's background or research may be submitted.  Including additional support letters does not guarantee higher consideration of an application but it can be beneficial.

Deadline

All applications must be received through the AHA Electronic Submission Site by 5 p.m. Central Standard Time on June 8, 2009.    Word or PDF versions submitted via e-mail are not considered electronic submissions.  Hard copies of any part of the application will not be accepted.  Applicants should apply as early as possible before the deadline to allow time to address any submission issues.

For questions, please contact:
Julie Hinterthuer
Awards & Lectures Manager, Professional Memberships
Council.Awards@heart.org
Phone: (214) 706-1181