Early-Career Support

Supporting and promoting early-career scientists, and providing scientific training for researchers in the field of atherosclerosis, is a key focus of DGAF's work. As part of this commitment, the Annual Meeting includes a dedicated program for early-career researchers.


Furthermore, the DGAF supports early-career researchers through several awards presented at its Annual Meeting. The W. H. Hauss-Award is yearly awarded to an early-career scientist in recognition and support of their scientific work in the field of atherosclerosis research. The Gotthard Schettler Award recognizes the best scientific contribution by a researcher under 35, selected during the Young Investigator Award Session. The Eberhard Betz Award and Hans Kaffarnik Award recognize outstanding poster contributions and presentations. These awards highlight and encourage excellent research by young scientists in the field of atherosclerosis. - Young Scientist Awards.


Early-Career Researcher Program at the Annual Meeting


As part of the DGAF Annual Meeting, dedicated sessions for early-career researchers are offered to provide young scientists with practical guidance on presenting their research findings and developing their scientific careers.


Previous programs included practical advice on establishing and funding research groups, discussions of different career paths and opportunities, and an open exchange on balancing clinical training, research, and personal life.


The program also aims to connect early-career cardiovascular researchers, foster scientific exchange, and support them in developing successful and sustainable research careers.


Travel Grants for VMAC 2027

At VMAC 2026, held at the Leonardo Hotel am Stadtwald, Cologne, from 18 to 20 February 2027, DGAF aims to support early-career scientists and enable them to attend the conference.

 

Applicants may apply for a travel grant to attend VMAC. 

The grant provides €280 toward hotel and/or travel costs –

and includes complimentary conference registration and the Conference Dinner.

 

Eligibility requirements:

  • DGAF membership                                                                                                        
  • Acceptance of a submitted abstract                                                         
  • Under 35 years of age as of 31 December 2026. Please include your date of birth when submitting your application.

 

The application for a grant is submitted with your abstract submission to VMAC. However, submission is only an eligibility requirement and does not guarantee that a grant will be awarded. Grants are awarded in the order applications are received. In exceptional cases, an application may also be submitted to the Executive Board, which will decide whether to award a travel grant.


Disclaimer: Funding is subject to verification of all eligibility requirements, acceptance of the abstract, and availability of funds. Reimbursement is made only upon submission of receipts and is available to early-career researchers (excluding those in group leader or professorial positions); there is no legal entitlement to funding. Incomplete or inaccurate information may result in rejection or recovery of funds.

 

Travel Grant VMAC 2026

The travel grant included €200 toward hotel and/or travel expenses, as well as free registration for the conference and Conference Dinner.

Applications for the travel grant were submitted together with the VMAC abstract. Submission of an abstract was a prerequisite but did not guarantee receipt of a travel grant. Grants were awarded in the order in which applications were received. In exceptional cases of financial hardship, applicants could also submit a request to the DGAF Board, which would decide on the award of a travel grant.