Canadian Cardiovascular Society

Early Career Investigator Award (ECIA)

We are accepting submissions until May 8.

This award was created in 1970 and is presented to an early career investigator whose clinical or basic science activities are in the area of cardiovascular disease. Submissions for the Early Career Investigator Award (ECIA) are accepted in the spring of each year as part of the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress Call for Science.

Award Criteria:

To be eligible for this award:

  • The date of first academic appointment of the early career investigator must be between January 1, of the 5th year prior to the date of award and July 1, of the year of the award;
  • Must be a researcher who is no more than five years from their first independent appointment at an institution (university, hospital, other research facility, industry) at the time of submission;
  • Must identify in their application that they have a confirmed academic appointment at the time of submission;
  • Must be pursuing a career in Canada;
  • Must be the first or senior author of the research work;
  • Must be nominated by a CCS member or non-member who is a Canadian clinician or scientist in good standing (nomination letter must indicate the novel aspect or significance of the work, describe the role of collaborators, include a clear statement of the role of the applicant, and explain the impact of the research);
  • Must submit an abstract for consideration at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress. That abstract CANNOT be entered simultaneously in the CCS Trainee Research Award;
  • Must submit an original manuscript, based on the abstract submitted. The manuscript can be electronically, and must not have been published, in its entirety or in major part, prior to April of the Congress year for which the award is being considered;
  • Must submit a curriculum vitae outlining education, past and current positions, grant support, trainees, and publications (papers, abstracts, chapters),
  • Only one award application per nominee will be considered,
  • Previous CCS Young Investigator Award winners are not eligible.

To be considered for the Early Career Investigator Award, upload the nomination documents with the submitted Abstract at CardioCongress.ca.

The adjudication sub-committee for this award will be comprised of a Chair and a review team of 4 individuals, with balanced representation in clinical and basic research. Committee members will serve a 2-year term. They will be appointed by the SPC Chair in consultation with the Scientific Program Committee (SPC) members. The Chair of the ECIA subcommittee reports to the SPC Chair, and should have served at least 1 year on the Adjudication Sub-Committee prior to assuming the role.

Review and grading of each submission will be based on the following scoring criteria:

  • Quality of abstract (maximum 5)
  • Manuscript/paper (maximum 10 points)
  • Letter of nomination (maximum 5 points)
  • Curriculum vitae (maximum 10 points)

Total possible score of 30

Award Prize and Presentation:
  1. There will be one winner
  2. The winner will receive $1,000 Canadian and an award plaque
  3. Full fare economy travel to the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress
  4. Complimentary registration to the Congress
  5. 2 nights’ hotel accommodation (room and tax)
  6. When appropriate, two runner-up awards (one in each category) in the amount of $250, accompanied by an award plaque, may be presented. Runner up awardees do not receive complimentary registration, travel or accommodation.

The SPC reserves the right to present no ECIA award in a given year if they deem there to be no meritorious candidate.

The ECIAs will be highlighted in the final programme (programme or app) of the Congress and at the time of a general cardiology plenary session, as decided by SPC. The ECIA will present his/her abstract as first presenter of an oral session. The chair of the ECIA committee or the co-chair of this session will do a short introduction highlighting the contribution of the ECIA. The ECIA will be asked to make a twelve minute presentation of their abstract . In this presentation, they can also provide an overview of their current research program of their vision for the future.

If you have any questions regarding this award, please contact: congress@ccs.ca.

  • 2024 : Dr. Jessica Spence
  • 2023 : Dr William McIntyre
  • 2022 : Dr. Vaibhav Patel
  • 2021 : Dr. Husam M. Abdel-Qadir
  • 2020 : Dr. Liam Brunham
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