Fellow of the American Heart Association (FAHA)
Fall 2025 cycle closes July 10, 2025
Spring 2026 cycle opens July 24, 2025
Spring 2026 cycle closes January 24, 2026
What is FAHA?
Election as a Fellow of the American Heart Association (FAHA) is an honorific designation that recognizes scientific and professional accomplishments and contributions, volunteer leadership and service supporting the overall AHA mission: To be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Earning the FAHA designation demonstrates your acceptance into one of the world’s most renowned organizations.
FAHA Benefits
- Recognition of accomplishments
- FAHA designation in credentials
- Acknowledgment of service
- Reduced fees for conferences
- FAHA lounge at Scientific Sessions
Am I Eligible to Apply?
Each person who applies must meet all of the basic eligibility requirements below.
- Membership dues must be up-to-date.
- At the time application is submitted, membership must be at a Premium Professional or Premium Professional Plus tier.
- Must have been a paid member for at least two years at a paid membership tier.
FAHA Tracks
Review the tracks to decide which best fits you before you begin the application process.
Scientists & Researchers
Academia & Clinician Scientist
Clinicians
Admin & Public Health
All Tracks
Download the Scientist, Researcher & Public Health Track (PDF)
| # | Areas of Excellence | Scientist, Researcher |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dissemination of Science | List the national or international articles, papers, scientific statements, guidelines or other manuscript/deliverables endorsed by a major society or group that you have participated in. A sample number of publications someone selecting this track might have is 25 or more. |
| 2 | Building the next generation of professionals in the field. | For how many individuals have you served as a primary mentor? |
| 3 | Funded Research | List of funding/grants received to support your research. Funding should be at the level of an independent researcher. |
| 4 | Professional Recognition | List Awards Received - National, Regional or International |
| 5 | Contributions to the Field | List of up to 3 significant contributions you have made to the field. For each contribution, describe your specific role in the work. |
| 6 | Leadership | List leadership roles you have held in local, state regional, national or international organizations. This may include other organizations as well as the AHA. |
| 7 | Advanced knowledge and competence | This may be demonstrated through research practice change and improvement, or by peer review activities. |
| 8 | Contribution to the AHA mission |
Domestic Applicants: List how you have engaged with the AHA either locally, regionally or nationally. Show how you are furthering the AHA mission in your community as it relates to heart or brain health, promoting a healthy lifestyle, health access, etc. International applicants: List your engagement with the AHA or other organizations that have a similar mission to the AHA. Show how you are furthering the AHA mission in your community as it relates to heart or brain health, promoting a healthy lifestyle, health access, etc. |
Download the Academia & Clinician Scientist Track (PDF)
| # | Areas of Excellence | Academia, Clinician Scientist |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dissemination of Science | List the national or international articles, papers, scientific statements, guidelines or other manuscript/deliverables endorsed by a major society or group that you have participated in. A sample number of publications someone selecting this track might have is 15 or more. |
| 2 | Building the next generation of professionals in the field. | For how many individuals have you served as a primary mentor? |
| 3 | Funded Research | (This option may not apply in every track) List of funding/grants received to support your research. Funding should be at the level of an independent researcher. |
| 4 | Professional Recognition | List Awards Received - National, Regional or International |
| 5 | Contributions to the Field | List of up to 3 significant contributions you have made to the field. For each contribution, describe your specific role in the work. |
| 6 | Leadership | List leadership roles you have held in local, state regional, national or international organizations. This may include other organizations as well as the AHA. |
| 7 | Advanced knowledge and competence | This may be demonstrated through research practice change and improvement, or by peer review activities. |
| 8 | Contribution to the AHA mission |
Domestic Applicants: List how you have engaged with the AHA either locally, regionally or nationally. Show how you are furthering the AHA mission in your community as it relates to heart or brain health, promoting a healthy lifestyle, health access, etc. International applicants: List your engagement with the AHA or other organizations that have a similar mission to the AHA. Show how you are furthering the AHA mission in your community as it relates to heart or brain health, promoting a healthy lifestyle, health access, etc. |
Download the Clinician Track (PDF)
| # | Areas of Excellence | Clinician |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dissemination of Science | List best practices you have created by utilizing clinical guidelines to improve patient outcomes. |
| 2 | Building the next generation of professionals in the field. | Have you served as a preceptor or primary mentor? If so, how many? |
| 3 | Funded Research | (This option may not apply in every track) List of funding/grants received. |
| 4 | Professional Recognition | List Awards Received - National, Regional or International |
| 5 | Contributions to the Field | List of up to 3 significant achievements you have made that have contributed to advancement and changes to clinical practice. |
| 6 | Leadership | List leadership roles you have held in local, state regional, national or international organizations. This may include other organizations as well as the AHA. |
| 7 | Advanced knowledge and competence | This may be demonstrated through your creation of clinical practice change and improvements, Grand Rounds, or peer review activities. |
| 8 | Contribution to the AHA mission |
Domestic Applicants: List how you have engaged with the AHA either locally, regionally or nationally. Show how you are furthering the AHA mission in your community as it relates to heart or brain health, promoting a healthy lifestyle, health access, etc. International applicants: List your engagement with the AHA or other organizations that have a similar mission to the AHA. Show how you are furthering the AHA mission in your community as it relates to heart or brain health, promoting a healthy lifestyle, health access, etc. |
Download the Administration & Public Health Track (PDF)
| # | Areas of Excellence | Administration, Public Health |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dissemination of Science | Please specify how you contribute to or disemminate AHA science. If you publish, a sample of someone selecting this track might be 5 or less. |
| 2 | Building the next generation of professionals in the field. | Have you served as a preceptor or primary mentor? If so, how many? |
| 3 | Funded Research | (This option may not apply in every track) List of funding/grants received. Funding should be at the level of an independent researcher. |
| 4 | Professional Recognition | List Awards Received - National, Regional or International |
| 5 | Contributions to the Field | List of up to 3 significant contributions you have made to the field. For each contribution, describe your specific role in the work. |
| 6 | Leadership | List leadership roles you have held in local, state regional, national or international organizations. This may include other organizations as well as the AHA. |
| 7 | Advanced knowledge and competence | This may be demonstrated through your creation of clinical practice change and improvements, Grand Rounds, or peer review activities. |
| 8 | Contribution to the AHA mission |
Domestic Applicants: List how you have engaged with the AHA either locally, regionally or nationally. Show how you are furthering the AHA mission in your community as it relates to heart or brain health, promoting a healthy lifestyle, health access, etc. International applicants: List your engagement with the AHA or other organizations that have a similar mission to the AHA. Show how you are furthering the AHA mission in your community as it relates to heart or brain health, promoting a healthy lifestyle, health access, etc. |
How to Apply
Before you Begin your Application
- Review the FAHA Tracks Document and select the track that best describes your career. The FAHA application you apply through will match the track you best match.
- Prepare your CV
The CV template shows what the peer reviewers expect to find on your CV. If your CV doesn’t contain something listed on the template, add additional pages to the back of your current CV. There is no need to completely reformat your CV. - Obtain Letter(s) of Reference
- Domestic Candidates: Letter of reference must be from an Active FAHA.
- International Candidates: Many international members may not have access to a FAHA who is familiar with their work. Therefore, international applicants may have one letter if they know a FAHA. Or, two powerful letters from individuals who are familiar with the candidate’s work and can speak to their level of accomplishment and contributions in the field; at least one letter should be from an international scientific leader.
- Download What to Include in Your Reference Letter (PDF)
- Domestic Candidates: Letter of reference must be from an Active FAHA.
Submitting Your Application
- Go to Council Awards splash page – Detailed instruction available at the instructions link on the Splash Page
- Select Login as Applicant, awardee, sponsor, or institutional officer
- Login using your PHD login credentials
FAHA Application Timeline
- Fall Application Cycle: February 6–July 10
- Spring Application Cycle: July 24– January 24
Peer Review and Election Process
- Applications are evaluated after the close of each cycle by council peer review committees. The process takes 3 weeks to a month to complete.
- Notifications are sent out by email approximately a week after scoring is complete.
- Printed certificates are mailed out 2–3 months after the close of the FAHA cycle.
Recognition and Acknowledgement
Newly elected Fellows will be recognized in the following ways:
- Each council leadership committee receives a slate of new FAHAs for their council
- VIP early registration and housing for Scientific Sessions
- New FAHAs will be listed in the fall edition of the Connections newsletter
- Entry to the FAHA Lounge at Scientific Sessions
- Listed in the Sessions onsite Newspaper
- Via signage at the FAHA Lounge
- Individual councils may have additional ways to recognize their new FAHAs
AHA Staff FAHA Criteria
- AHA staff applying for FAHA status must meet the criteria with experience and service outside the scope of their position at the AHA. Any council and/or committee participation, support of AHA volunteer initiatives, AHA writing groups, etc., that fall within the staff applicant’s job at the AHA will not be considered during evaluation of FAHA applications.
- AHA staff must be a paid AHA member for 1 year prior to submitting a FAHA application.
FAHA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
-
No, the FAHA designation is focused on accomplishments and contributions rather than career level and titles. While some accomplishments in the field may parallel reaching higher career levels, this scenario does not apply to all. However, all applicants must meet the Basic Eligibility Requirements before submitting an application:
- Must be an active member at the Premium Professional or Premium Professional Plus level at the time the application is submitted.
- Member dues must be up-to-date.
- Must have been an AHA member at a paid membership tier for at least two years.
- No, applicants from all councils will be evaluated against the same criteria. There are three main components needed to complete the FAHA application: the Areas of Excellence, your CV and your Letters of Recommendation. See the resources in the “How to Apply” section on the FAHA webpage for more information on each of these.
- Yes and No. The qualities expected in FAHA’s both domestic and international are the same. Domestic and international candidates are evaluated by how they meet the same areas of excellence. The only difference for international candidates is that many times our international members may not have access to a FAHA who is familiar with their work. Therefore, international applicants may have one letter if they know a FAHA. Or, two powerful letters from individuals who are familiar with the candidate’s work and can speak to their level of accomplishment and contribution in the field; at least one letter should be from an international scientific leader.
- There is no fee to apply to become a FAHA. However, those applying to become a FAHA must be at a Premium Professional membership tier at the time their application is submitted. If elected FAHA, members must remain at a Premium Professional tier to retain their FAHA status.
- If a FAHA’s membership tier drops below a Premium Professional tier or their membership expires, their FAHA status becomes inactive. Upon renewal or reinstatement at a Premium Professional membership tier their FAHA status will automatically be reinstated.
- If you are a current FAHA and meet the qualifications to transition to an Emeritus status, yes, you will be transitioned into an Emeritus Fellow.
- AHA staff that meet the qualifications may apply to become a FAHA. Please see the requirements for AHA Staff under Tab 4 – AHA Staff Applications.
- Supporting the AHA mission is one of the Areas of Excellence. Volunteer service that supports the AHA mission is an important part of being a FAHA. However, not all volunteer service must be acquired through the AHA. While ideally someone applying to become FAHA would have some service to the AHA, any volunteer service including service acquired with another, similar organization that aligns with the AHA mission, will be counted.
- Only you can make that decision. You should review the Areas of Excellence document to determine whether you meet the criteria for the track you feel you are on. You may not meet all of the criteria, but you should meet the majority of the levels described for your track. (I.e., if you consider yourself to be a researcher, you should review the criteria under the Researcher/Scientist track. If you meet the level of criteria described on the Areas of Excellence document for most of the traits, you should apply. If you feel you don’t quite meet the levels required for your selected track, you may decide to wait before applying.