Scholar of the Year recognises a clinician whose published work over the preceding year has measurably changed how a cardiovascular problem is understood or managed. It is an academic award, judged on the work rather than on seniority, institution or reputation.
What the award recognises
Original research that answers a question rather than describes a population. Work that is methodologically sound, honestly reported — including its negative findings — and useful to clinicians outside the centre that produced it. Studies conducted in resource-limited settings are explicitly welcomed, because the questions that matter most to most of the world’s patients are frequently the ones least often funded.
Who is eligible
- Any registered medical practitioner, at any career stage, in any country.
- Work published or accepted for publication during the qualifying year.
- Original research, systematic reviews with original analysis, or substantial methodological contributions. Narrative reviews and case reports are considered under other categories.
- Trainees and early-career researchers are assessed against their stage, not against established investigators.
How entries are judged
- Importance of the question. Does the answer change anything for patients or clinicians?
- Methodological quality. Design, sample, analysis and the honesty of the limitations section.
- Clarity of reporting. Work that cannot be understood cannot be applied.
- Reach. Whether the finding is usable beyond the setting that produced it.
- Integrity. Declared funding, declared conflicts, and appropriate authorship.
Judging is by the Academic and Scientific Committee described on the committee page. Panel members recuse themselves from any entry involving their own institution or a co-author relationship. The Academy does not accept payment of any kind in connection with an award, and nomination carries no fee.
Nominating
Self-nomination is permitted and common. Submit through the awards nomination page with the full citation, a copy of the published work, and a statement of up to 500 words explaining what the work changes. Nominations open early in the year and close before the awards meeting; the current dates are on the awards page.
What the recipient receives
Presentation at the Academy’s annual meeting, a citation published on the Academy site, an invitation to present the work at a CME session, and standing recognition in the verified member directory. Recipients are also invited to review for the Academy’s research programme.