ESC First Contact Initiative Grant

Promoting careers in basic cardiovascular sciences in Europe

What is the grant for ?

The purpose of these grants is to provide resources for the establishment of research links from young scientists from European institutions to hosting institutions in a foreign country within or outside Europe. Each grant will provide funds for one travel to an identified hosting institution and a minimum stay of 10 (ten) calendar days. The aim is to establish more permanent contacts, leading to a fellowship or a research affiliate position for the development of a research project in the area of basic cardiovascular sciences.

Basic rules

A maximum of 10 (ten) grants of 2,500 (two thousand five hundreds) Euros each are awarded each calendar year (depending upon funds available)
They will be distributed in 2 (two) calls per year (opened May and November) based on quality of the application
Successful candidates must use their funds within 9 (nine) months

Criteria for eligibility

Candidates should not be older than 35 (thirty-five) years at the time of the application deadline
Candidates must have activity in the area of cardiovascular sciences
Candidates must be members of any of the following:
- an ESC National Cardiac Society (check the list)
- a group included in the Council for Basic Cardiovascular Science (check the list)

To apply, please send:

Your letter [maximum 2 (two) pages] of motivation including:
- your birth date
- your membership of any of the groups stated in "Criteria for eligibility"
- information on your activity in the area of cardiovascular sciences
- details of your project
- a statement on how you intend to use the award
- a statement that, if you do not use the grant within 9 months, you will return it to the ESC.
A one-page CV with a publication list
A letter of acceptance by the host institution
A letter of support from your current institution
A written commitment to provide a detailed report on the outcome of the initiative.

Send all the above documents compiled in a SINGLE pdf file by email to councils@escardio.org by
15 July 2013

Also send documents with original signatures, by post, to this address:

European Society of Cardiology
The European Heart House
Councils Relations - Specialty Centre
2035 Route des Colles
Les Templiers - BP 179
06903 Sophia-Antipolis Cedex
France

Applications deadline: 15 July 2013

For any queries contact: councils@escardio.org