AHA Research
The American Heart Association's Commitment to Research
Funding research is a cornerstone of the American Heart Association’s lifesaving mission - a pillar of our foundation and a key to our future. Since 1949, the Association has made significant annual investments in research that has led to breakthroughs in cardiovascular and stroke discovery, translation, and clinical application through more than 51,850 funded projects. At our core are 12 Essential Elements that guide the organization's research vision.
$6.1B
Invested in scientific research since 1949. The American Heart Association is the largest nonprofit, non-governmental supporter of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular research in the U.S.
2,200 projects
Currently being supported by American Heart. These total more than $584M in research funding. Of these, 1,015 were activated in 2024-25, accounting for $183M of funding.
2,800 reviewers
Number of peer volunteers who evaluated 5,242 proposals for American Heart Association funding during the 2024-25 fiscal year.
Funding Opportunities
Funding research is a cornerstone of the Association’s lifesaving mission and a key to our future. We have been funding scientific research since 1949 and continually add new timely, mission-related programs.
Application Resources
Tips and tools for preparing and submitting a proposal for research funding. Resources include step-by-step application instructions, live webinars, videos, fact sheets, and helpful web sites.
Research Portal
View current data on investigators, institutions, awards and resulting publications funded by the American Heart Association since 2001.
Innovative Science
Since 2014, the Association has been funding groups of multi-disciplinary teams (known as strategic networks) that collaborate on specific areas of science that are key to the mission. Summaries report on the work at the conclusion of each grant.
Our Research History
See the results of the Associations more than $6.1 billion investment in research, both historic and recent.
Success
Rates
Success rates are the percent funded of the total number of full proposals submitted. These figures should not be used to predict future program performance.
SURE Scholars Program
A unique summer research program for underrepresented college students interested in STEM careers.
Research Insider Signup
Monthly e-newsletter provides the latest funding opportunities and news.
Funding Announcements
Research News
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Global study to investigate how menopause shapes heart health
Stopping atherosclerotic heart and vessel disease in women (SHE-HEALS), seeks to advance our understanding of how menopause shapes heart health. The funding will also support the team to launch the largest clinical trial of its kind to detect silent changes in arteries, and test whether earlier prevention can stop or even reverse their progression. -
Two scientific researchers receive 2025 Sacco Scholarships
The American Academy of Neurology and the American Heart Association have awarded the 2025 Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships for Brain Health to two researchers, Hortense Triniac, Ph.D., of Milwaukee and Katy Walsh, Ph.D., of Boston. Each will receive a $150,000 two-year scholarship to support continuing scientific research in brain health. -
2025 American Heart Association Merit Awards
A New York City-based physician scientist who explores ways to improve health by looking at the ways in which cells and molecules impact disease and an epidemiologist from Baltimore who has devoted her career to identifying ways to improve screening, diagnosis and patient care for people with diabetes are the most recent American Heart Association Merit Award recipients. Over the next five years, each researcher will receive a total of $1 million in funding from the Association, a global force changing the future of health for all. -
Research grants awarded to study CHDs
Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common birth defect in the U.S., affecting more than 40,000 infants each year.[1] To help health care professionals better understand and treat CHDs, the American Heart Association(link opens in new window) and The Children’s Heart Foundation(link opens in new window) will fund five promising scientific researchers through the joint Congenital Heart Defect Research Awards program. -
More than half million dollars in research grants awarded for CHD
Five promising scientific researchers will advance their work to better understand and treat the most common birth defect in the U.S., congenital heart defects (CHDs), thanks to joint financial support from the American Heart Association and The Children’s Heart Foundation's Congenital Heart Defect Research Awards program.
Get With The Guidelines®
Meet your data submission requirements while tracking and reporting on your hospital's performance.
This tool is a hospital-based quality improvement program designed to close the treatment gap in cardiovascular disease, stroke, and resuscitation. It includes modules in coronary artery disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke and resuscitation. Each program provides physicians and healthcare providers with materials, information and tools based on relevant evidence-based guidelines.
This tool is a hospital-based quality improvement program designed to close the treatment gap in cardiovascular disease, stroke, and resuscitation. It includes modules in coronary artery disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke and resuscitation. Each program provides physicians and healthcare providers with materials, information and tools based on relevant evidence-based guidelines.
Become an AHA
Professional Member Today!
Enjoy instant benefits!
- Access to apply for a research funding award(s)
- Free online access to AHA Scientific Journals
- Affiliate with one or more of our 16 Scientific Councils
- Discounts on Scientific Conference registration and online courses
2026 American Heart Association holidays:
Jan. 1, Jan. 19, May 25, July 3,
Sept. 7, Nov. 26 & 27, Dec. 21-25
2026 Altum/ProposalCentral holidays:
Jan. 1, Jan. 19, Feb. 16, May 25, June 19, July 3
Sept. 7, Oct. 12, Nov. 26 & 27, Dec. 28-Jan 1
Jan. 1, Jan. 19, May 25, July 3,
Sept. 7, Nov. 26 & 27, Dec. 21-25
2026 Altum/ProposalCentral holidays:
Jan. 1, Jan. 19, Feb. 16, May 25, June 19, July 3
Sept. 7, Oct. 12, Nov. 26 & 27, Dec. 28-Jan 1