Read the information below carefully before starting a letter of intent or application.

Questions? View our FAQs.

Eligibility - All Grants

The following eligibility requirements apply to all grants unless otherwise specified.

Applicants must:

• be an ATS member at the time of application OR have at least one key personnel who is an ATS member to submit a letter of intent.
• be a full ATS member when the grant is awarded
• have completed their primary research training (PhD or sub-specialty fellowship) by September 1, 2024
• have a firm commitment from their home institution for a faculty position by the time the grant is awarded (July 2025)
• have not received two ATS Research Program grants or be a current ATS Research Program grantee

Eligibility - Early-Stage Investigators

Applicants must be early-stage investigators for all ATS Research Program grants unless otherwise stated.

ATS defines early-stage investigators as:

• within 12 years of terminal degree (e.g. MD, PhD). For the current grant cycle, this means that you must have received your terminal degree no earlier than 2012.
  • Note that this requirement is not inclusive of sub-specialty training. For example, if you received your MD in 2011 and completed your sub-specialty training in 2016, you would not be eligible for this award. 
• never having received a non-mentored grants ≥ $100,000 per year for at least 2 years

ATS considers exceptions to the early-stage investigator requirement for extenuating circumstances such as parental or military leave. Note that sub-specialty training is not considered an extenuating circumstance.

Email your explanation to researchprogram@thoracic.org before beginning a letter of intent.

International Applicants

The ATS defines international applicants as individuals not working at a US-based institution OR someone who does not reside or work in the United States.

ATS accepts submissions from international researchers unless otherwise specified.

ATS Policy on Grant Funding from Other Sources

Simultaneous submission of grants with scientific overlap to other funding agencies is allowed.

However, if multiple grants are funded, then the applicant must notify the Research Program within one month of formal award notification. A Scientific Grant Review Committee subcommittee will assess the degree of overlap. In the case of significant scientific overlap, the applicant will have to choose between the ATS research grant and the other grant.

Budgetary overlap is not allowed. 

Applicants holding active career development grants (e.g. K award) are eligible to receive ATS funding, but the projects must be scientifically distinct.