The Ziskind Clinical Research Scholar Award celebrates pulmonary and critical care fellows who are advancing excellence in clinical research. Named in honor of Morton Ziskind, MD, a beloved clinician-researcher and mentor at Tulane University, the award reflects his enduring legacy of inspiring fellows and fostering meaningful learning experiences at the ATS International Conference. Established to honor his spirit of mentorship and curiosity, the award recognizes the next generation of outstanding clinical researchers. Learn more about the inspiring researchers who’ve been recognized as Ziskind Clinical Research Scholars.
The Ziskind Clinical Research Scholar Award recognizes early-career ATS members who have shown exceptional promise through leadership, scholarship, academic achievement, and active involvement in the Society. To be considered for this one-time award of $5,000, individuals must be nominated by a research mentor or fellowship program director or associate director.
ATS strongly encourages nominations of individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, women, people with disabilities, and others whose lived experiences reflect limited access to advancement opportunities. Through this award, ATS aims to foster a more inclusive, representative, and supportive professional community that reflects the diversity of the populations it serves. The ATS also encourages nominations of international researchers. The ATS defines “international” as someone who does not reside in North America.
- Must have completed an MD or DO no more than nine years ago (i.e., in 2016 or later) and be enrolled in an adult or pediatric pulmonary and critical care medicine fellowship. For questions regarding these criteria, please contact Anjali Massoud.
- Must demonstrate early success in patient-oriented research as defined by the NIH and described below1.
- Must NOT have received an extramural career development award at the time of application (e.g., K award, VA career development award, or equivalent).
- Must have submitted an abstract to the upcoming ATS International Conference.
- Must be an ATS member at the time of application.
1For this award, patient-oriented research is defined as research conducted with human subjects or on material of human origin such as tissues, specimens, and cognitive phenomena. This area of research includes: 1) mechanisms of human disease; 2) therapeutic interventions; 3) clinical trials; and 4) the development of new technologies. Excluded from this definition are in vitro studies that utilize human tissues but do not deal directly with patients. In other words, patient-oriented research is research in which it is necessary to know the identity of the patients from whom the data, cells or tissues are derived.
- Nomination letter from a research mentor, fellowship program director, or associate director (two-page limit).
- The letter should describe why the nominee is considered an outstanding clinical research scholar and highlight the qualities and accomplishments that demonstrate their potential to become a future leader in patient-oriented research and within the ATS. The letter should describe institutional support for the applicant and acknowledge that only one applicant has been nominated from that institution.
- Curriculum vitae of the nominee.
- Personal statement of the nominee stating their future goals (one-page limit).
- Copy of the abstract submitted to upcoming ATS International Conference by the nominated fellow.
**ATS cannot accept changes or additions to nomination applications once they have been submitted.**
Administrative Review
ATS staff will review all nomination applications to confirm they are complete and meet the stated eligibility criteria. To help ensure your nomination application can be reviewed by the committee, please make sure all materials are submitted and compliant with the guidelines.
Committee Review
Applications will be evaluated based on accomplishments in leadership, scholarship, grant activity, and involvement in ATS. The review committee takes a holistic approach, considering these criteria in the context of each nominee’s overall career development. Particular emphasis is placed on the nominee’s career trajectory and demonstrated potential for excellence in patient-oriented research.
Review the key dates and deadlines for the upcoming cycle below to support your planning and ensure a smooth nomination process.
- Nomination Opens: Jan. 14, 2026
- Nomination Closes: Feb. 13, 2026
- Awardee Notification: April 2026
- Must have completed an MD or DO no more than nine years ago (i.e., in 2016 or later) and be enrolled in an adult or pediatric pulmonary and critical care medicine fellowship. For questions regarding these criteria, please contact Anjali Massoud.
- Must demonstrate early success in patient-oriented research as defined by the NIH and described below1.
- Must NOT have received an extramural career development award at the time of application (e.g., K award, VA career development award, or equivalent).
- Must have submitted an abstract to the upcoming ATS International Conference.
- Must be an ATS member at the time of application.
1For this award, patient-oriented research is defined as research conducted with human subjects or on material of human origin such as tissues, specimens, and cognitive phenomena. This area of research includes: 1) mechanisms of human disease; 2) therapeutic interventions; 3) clinical trials; and 4) the development of new technologies. Excluded from this definition are in vitro studies that utilize human tissues but do not deal directly with patients. In other words, patient-oriented research is research in which it is necessary to know the identity of the patients from whom the data, cells or tissues are derived.
- Nomination letter from a research mentor, fellowship program director, or associate director (two-page limit).
- The letter should describe why the nominee is considered an outstanding clinical research scholar and highlight the qualities and accomplishments that demonstrate their potential to become a future leader in patient-oriented research and within the ATS. The letter should describe institutional support for the applicant and acknowledge that only one applicant has been nominated from that institution.
- Curriculum vitae of the nominee.
- Personal statement of the nominee stating their future goals (one-page limit).
- Copy of the abstract submitted to upcoming ATS International Conference by the nominated fellow.
**ATS cannot accept changes or additions to nomination applications once they have been submitted.**
Administrative Review
ATS staff will review all nomination applications to confirm they are complete and meet the stated eligibility criteria. To help ensure your nomination application can be reviewed by the committee, please make sure all materials are submitted and compliant with the guidelines.
Committee Review
Applications will be evaluated based on accomplishments in leadership, scholarship, grant activity, and involvement in ATS. The review committee takes a holistic approach, considering these criteria in the context of each nominee’s overall career development. Particular emphasis is placed on the nominee’s career trajectory and demonstrated potential for excellence in patient-oriented research.
Review the key dates and deadlines for the upcoming cycle below to support your planning and ensure a smooth nomination process.
- Nomination Opens: Jan. 14, 2026
- Nomination Closes: Feb. 13, 2026
- Awardee Notification: April 2026
Questions?
Questions related to the Ziskind Clinical Research Scholar Award Program can be directed to Anjali Massoud.