This programme is jointly funded by the American Heart Association – Council on Cardiovascular Nursing (AHA-CCVN) and European Society of Cardiology – Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Health Professions (ESC-CCNAP).
The purposes of this fellowship are:
- To promote international collaboration and training of Cardiovascular Nurse scientists who are members of the American Heart Association and the European Society of Cardiology.
- To improve post doctoral education by providing opportunities to nurse researchers to strengthen their research skills and be mentored regarding research and doctoral education in an international context.
- To establish the foundation for future international research collaboration and multi-site studies, and open avenues for international exchange among nurse scholars.
The fellowship is limited to recent graduates from doctoral programmes who are appointed to faculty position in masters, or doctoral programme, or clinical research positions, and who are currently serving, or will serve, as supervisors of doctoral student research. Additionally, fellows must be members of the constituent organisation.
Participating Organisations
This fellowship programme is jointly funded and supported by The Council of Cardiovascular Nursing [CCVN] of the American Heart Association [AHA] and the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Health Professionals (CCNAP) of the European Society of Cardiology [ESC].
Number of Awards and Length of Training
One fellow per year will be supported; the study period can vary but will be for at least three months.
Eligibility
At the time of application, applicants must:
- Be a registered nurse
- Hold membership in ESC-CCNAP or AHA-CCVN
- Be competent in the English language
- Be a doctorally prepared faculty member or a clinical nurse researcher in an institution supporting CV nursing research
- Be within 5 years of completion of doctoral degree
- Be engaged in CV Nursing research
Selection Criteria
Successful candidates will also:
- Provide evidence of past and current research activities (publications, grants, etc.).
- Present a preliminary research proposal in an area of CV nursing science that will be the basis of the work during the fellowship period, and which promises to evolve into a programme of research.
- Present evidence that research will continue upon return to home country.
- Have the potential for engagement in future international collaboration and facilitation of the exchange of scholars.
- Provide letter of support from their institution for the time and resources needed to complete the fellowship.
Terms of the Awards
Applicants must be committed to returning to their home countries/ institutions following the period of training.
The applicant’s employer must:
- Make a commitment to provide facilitation for the conduct of the fellow’s research upon return from the fellowship (i.e. assure that their position will be available upon return).
- Make a commitment to support of the fellow during the time of the fellowship (i.e. continued salary, benefits etc. as necessary)
- Agree to administer the financial arrangements of award (year 2007 the maximum amount available from the AHA-CCVN is $7,000 (~5337Euros), and the amount available from ESC-CCNAP the equivalent of $7,000 (~5337 Euros). [Total: $14,000]
Potential Training Sites
A list of suggested, but not exclusive, mentors is available for both Europe and the USA.
Application
- A completed application cover sheet.
- Proposed plan for research and mentorship for the fellowship period, not to exceed five pages.
- A curriculum vitae not to exceed five pages.
- A budget to include travel, transportation, accommodation, living expenses and research and training expenses.
- A letter from the employer agreeing to elements under “Terms of the Award.”
- A letter from a senior colleague knowledgeable about the applicant and his/her work, addressing the applicant’s potential for a research career and the applicant’s potential contribution to nursing doctoral education in his/her country.
- Letter of invitation from host institution and mentor.
- Mentor’s curriculum vitae
- Documented evidence of AHA membership and/or ESC membership.
Review Process
Applications will be reviewed by an international panel of nurse scientists from AHA and ESC.
The Fellowship
The fellowship will provide available funds up to the amount of $14,000 depending on the applicant’s budget, and the duration and project of the proposed fellowship. Funds will be dispersed to the applicant’s institution.
Role of the Mentor
The international mentor is expected to review the research proposal and goals prior to submission and to participate in the development of the application. Once the fellowship has started, the mentor and/or mentor’s institution is responsible for assisting the fellow in the logistics and implementation of the fellowship.
Deadline
All above materials listed under “Application” must be received electronically by March 1, 2008 at cvnmentoring@heart.org. Letters from employers and senior colleagues must be sent separately to the same email address by the deadline (applicant needs to request the letters).
Fellowship Venue
Fellows will select settings that are research intensive environments, and where there are investigators in the fellow’s proposed area of research. Applicants may also request assistance from the selection committee on appropriate venues and potential mentors. A list of suggested participating centers is provided above (see "Potential Training Sites"). It is the applicant’s responsibility to negotiate the terms of the fellowship (time frame, goals, specific activities, desired outcomes) with the mentor and institution.
Start of Fellowship
Once selection and placement of fellows has occurred, the exact fellowship period will be negotiated for a time convenient to the fellow and the mentor, but in any case, the fellowship should begin within 6 months after selection.
Upon Completion of the Fellowship Period
Fellows will submit a report for the AHA and an article to ESC for publication and/or presentation at one of its meetings. Both Fellows and Mentors will be asked to provide an evaluation of the experience.