Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists

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Jane Fitch Education Award

The Jane Fitch Education Award supports high-quality educational initiatives in cardiovascular anesthesiology. It serves as a seed grant for small pilot or proof-of-concept projects that benefit all members of the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA).

Timeline
  • Opens: October 20, 2025
  • Closes: January 19, 2026
  • Project Completion: Within 2 years of award
  • Award Amount: $5,000
Eligibility

You must:

  1. Be a member of the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA).
  2. Practice in cardiothoracic or vascular anesthesia.
  3. Hold an MD or DO degree.
  4. Be at any career stage.
  5. Propose a project that benefits all SCA members.
Application Components
  1. Title Page (use SCA template)

Include:

  • Project Title
  • Applicant’s name, degrees, rank
  • Sponsoring institution
  • Department chair info (name, address, phone)
  • Financial officer info (name, address, phone)
  1. Curriculum Vitae

A concise CV highlighting educational and leadership experience.

  1. Letter of Support (Department Chair)

Must address:

  • Applicant’s educational and professional strengths
  • Departmental support for project and time allocation
  • Available facilities/resources
  • Agreement to return unused funds if project incomplete
Project Plan (≤ 5 pages, double spaced, 12 pt. font)
  1. Background
  • Applicant’s education and leadership background
  • Examples of prior educational initiatives
  1. Project Proposal

Include:

  • Description: What the project is, where it will be housed, collaborators, and required tools (e.g., software).
  • Access: Must be available to all SCA members (not limited to your institution).
  • Target Audience: Specify learners — clinicians, trainees, faculty, or patients (if applicable).
  • Sustainability Plan: How the project will continue to benefit others post-funding.
  • Evaluation Plan: Clear steps to measure outcomes and impact.
  • AI Acknowledgment: State if AI tools were used in proposal preparation.
Potential Project Ideas

You can tailor your proposal around:

  • AI or digital learning tools for curriculum design, learner assessment, or faculty development
  • Faculty development initiatives within cardiac anesthesia education
  • A new course for SCA members (similar to ARC: A Review Course)
  • Evidence-based, systems-based, or patient safety educational interventions promoting high-value, equitable care
Submission Information
  • Submission Email: awards@scahq.org
  • Format: Single PDF file
  • Deadline: January 19, 2026, by 11:59 pm Central Time
  • Questions: awards@scahq.org

2026 SCA Research Grants

2026 SCA Research Grants

Apply Now!

SCA supports cardiothoracic and vascular research projects. This is the basis for the creation of the SCA Starter Grant, Joyce Wahr Starter Grant, Michael Cahalan Grant, and the In-Training Grant.

Grants Information

  • Four types of grants will be awarded in 2026:
    • SCA Michael Cahalan Grant – up to $75,000 per year for two
    • SCA Starter Grant – up to $37,500 per year for two years.
    • SCA Joyce Wahr Starter Grant – up to $37,500 per year for two years.
    • SCA In-Training Grant – $15,000 for one year.

Please Note: The Starter Grant and the Joyce Wahr Starter Grant request the same application information and formatting. At the time of application, the PI should identify if they are eligible for, and wish to be considered for, both the Joyce Wahr Starter Grant and the Starter Grant, or for one or the other only.

The awards will be announced prior to the 2026 SCA Annual Meeting & Workshops in Nashville, TN. The grant period of 24 months can begin any time from July 1 to December 31 of the year granted. Grant recipients are required to present their work at a subsequent SCA Annual Meeting.

Applications will close on February 9, 2026.

CLICK HERE TO START YOUR RESEARCH APPLICATION

Click Here for the 2026 SCA Research Grants requirements and instructions.

Click Here for the Research Grants Checklist (Please submit with your application).

Click Here for the Research Grants Title Page (Please submit with your application).

Involvement Opportunities

  • Write a Newsletter or Journal article.
  • Submit an abstract – abstract submissions for the Annual Meeting & Workshops, Thoracic Anesthesia Symposium, and Echo Week Meeting open several months prior to each meeting.
  • Submit a PBLD – Problem-Based Learning Discussions (PBLDs) are a key feature of each year’s Annual Meeting & Workshops. Accepted submissions will be invited to participate in the meeting as a PBLD speaker.
  • Connect with us on social media – Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay engaged with the Society and your colleagues.

Special Interest Groups

Are you interested in connecting and interacting with colleagues who share similar interests and challenges? An SCA SIG can offer you that opportunity!

Explore SCA’s SIGs: