Larner College of Medicine

Viridis Montis Early Career Investigator Challenge

The Viridis Montis Early Career Investigator Challenge is a unique competition highlighting cardiovascular research conducted by early career investigators at UVM and the UVM Health Network, with a specific emphasis on the communication of science and the quality of research.

The Early Career Advisory Committee of the Cardiovascular Research Institute of Vermont (CVRI) at UVM is excited to announce a call for abstracts for the 7th annual Viridis Montis Early Career Investigator Challenge in Cardiovascular Disease.

Viridis Montis includes a merit-based abstract competition, following which an interdisciplinary group of 4 Finalists will be selected to deliver an oral presentation on May 6, 2026 to a panel of expert local and guest judges.  Judging of both the abstracts and the oral presentation will emphasize the applicant’s ability to communicate science to a broad cardiovascular audience, rigor of the scientific plan, and the potential significance of the research.

Call for Abstracts

Timeline
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Abstract Due Date: March 2, 2026
Finalists announced: April 1, 2026
Competition: May 6, 2026

Eligibility
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  • The applicant must be an early career investigator primarily affiliated with the University of Vermont and/or the UVM Health Network. Eligible candidates include: PhD and master’s graduate students; postdoctoral fellows; medical students; residents and clinical fellows; faculty and staff within 5 years of first appointment.  
  • Applicant must be the first author of the submitted work. 
  • The applicant’s primary mentor(s) must be affiliated with UVM and/or the UVM Health network. 
  • Research submitted must be directly related to cardiovascular diseases (basic, clinical, translational, and/or public health). 
  • Previously presented and/or published scientific work is eligible for submission if the final publication occurred within 1 year of the Investigator Challenge. If using a previously published abstract, it must be revised as needed to meet competition guidelines. 
  • Former Viridis Montis finalists are eligible and encouraged to apply, but the research must differ distinctly from a prior entry. 
  • Recipients of FY26 (July 1, 2025 - current) CVRI travel awards are required to submit an abstract for consideration.

Awards
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  • Oral presentation winner: $6,000 internal research award, 2 plaques (1 for winner, 1 for winner’s mentor)
  • Other finalists [3] will receive plaques for their participation

Application
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The formal application is due by 5:00 p.m. on March 2, 2026 and should adhere to the guidelines listed within the application. The entire proposal, including all required documents, must be submitted as a single PDF document to CVRI-VT@med.uvm.edu. Proposals that do not meet this requirement will not be reviewed.

Application for Viridis Montis Early Career Investigator Challenge in Cardiovascular Disease