AHA'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 AHA has made significant annual investments in research that has led to breakthroughs in cardiovascular and stroke discovery, translation, and clinical application through more 50,850 funded projects. At our core are 12 Essential Elements that guide the AHA's research vision. This year's centennial anniversary allowed us to reach an all-time high in annual research funding.
![red ribbon icon](/-/media/Project/Common/Icons/red_ribbon_icon.png?h=158&iar=0&mw=960&w=100&sc_lang=en)
AHA Funding Opportunities
![medical research with microscope](/-/media/PHD-Images/Research/Research-Accomplishments/medical_research_with_microscope.jpg?h=400&iar=0&mw=600&w=600&sc_lang=en)
Application Resources
![Stroke Resource Library group of individuals looking at digital resources together](/-/media/Stroke-Images/Stroke-Professionals/professional_resources_min.jpg?h=356&iar=0&mw=600&w=600&sc_lang=en)
Research Portal
![Prof AA Woman at computer 475x317](/-/media/Images/Professional/Quality-Improvement/Target-Type-2-Diabetes/Prof-AA-Woman-at-computer-475x317.jpg?h=317&iar=0&mw=600&w=475&sc_lang=en)
Analytic Opportunities
![Researcher in white coat at desk with hands on keypad, microscope cut off to the right](/-/media/Images/About-Us/Scientific-Research/Researcher-at-desk.jpg?h=338&iar=0&mw=600&w=600&sc_lang=en)
AHA Research History
![happy young woman pumping fists in success happy young woman pumping fists in success](/-/media/GRFW-Images/Wear-Red-Day-2021/young_woman_celebrates.jpg?h=344&iar=0&mw=600&w=495&sc_lang=en)
Success
Rates
![Blue arrow on cart going upward](/-/media/PHD-Images/Research/General-Research/arrow-up-on-chart.jpeg?h=450&iar=0&mw=600&w=600&sc_lang=en)
SURE Scholars Program
![Three underrepresented students - two females one male - from Boston University - SURE scholars](/-/media/PHD-Images/Research/SURE-Scholars-Images/SURE-program-participants.jpg?h=450&iar=0&mw=600&w=600&sc_lang=en)
Research Insider Signup
![Neon blue outline of computer with yellow neon chat bubble with envelop on black background](/-/media/PHD-Images/Research/General-Research/Neon-illustration-of-computer-with-email.jpeg?h=286&iar=0&mw=600&w=400&sc_lang=en)
Research News
-
New pediatric heart transplantation research grants
Scientific researchers in Missouri and Virginia have been awarded nearly $1.4 million each in grants to study ways to extend the life expectancy and improve the quality of life for children with a transplanted heart. These two research awards mark the latest round of funding for a joint $3 million scientific research initiative between the American Heart Association, celebrating 100 years of lifesaving service as the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, and Enduring Hearts, the only non-profit organization solely dedicated to funding pediatric heart transplant research. -
SFRN Inflammation Research Awards
Research teams from Northwestern University Chicago Campus, University of Michigan and University of Pittsburgh will lead a $15 million project dedicated to studying inflammation’s role in cardiac and brain diseases. The American Heart Association’s Strategically Focused Research Network (SFRN) on Inflammation in Cardiac and Neurovascular Disease aims to better understand the body’s response to inflammation and crosstalk between the heart and brain, as well as how to prevent or treat inflammation-driven cardiovascular diseases. -
New $2 million research initiative will study heart and brain health in people with autism
To learn more about the unique cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health needs of people with autism, a new $2 million research initiative is being funded by the American Heart Association(link opens in new window), celebrating 100 years of lifesaving service(link opens in new window) as the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, and Autism Speaks(link opens in new window), founded in 2005 to create an inclusive world for all individuals with autism throughout their lifespan.
The pre- and post-doctoral fellowship awards will aim to empower and nurture the next generation of researchers and practitioners in the field of autism, with a focus on cardiovascular and brain health. -
New research funding awarded to assess the role of race in predicting heart disease
People with heart disease may receive different care because of how race is interpreted in health risk calculators and other tools that help clinicians make treatment decisions. The American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all celebrating 100 years of lifesaving service, awarded four new grants this month to support scientific research that will evaluate the use of race in predicting heart disease risk and in turn help develop tools that are free of bias.
The newly funded principal investigators join six previous awardees who are part of a two-year scientific research strategy(link opens in new window) funded by a grant from the Doris Duke Foundation to study the complex issue of how race and ethnicity factor into clinical care algorithms and risk prediction tools. The grants are $50,000 each.
-
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.
Announcements
- Predoctoral Fellowship - due Sept. 4, 2024
- Postdoctoral Fellowship - due Sept. 5, 2024
- Merit Award - due Sept. 10, 2024
- Institutional Award for Undergraduate Student Training - due Sept. 11, 2024
- AHA Institutional Research Enhancement Award (AIREA) - due Sept. 12, 2024
- Established Investigator Award - due Oct. 2, 2024
- Collaborative Sciences Award - due Oct. 3, 2024
- Career Development Award - due Dec. 5, 2024
- Innovative Project Award - due Dec. 5, 2024
- International Visiting Professorship Award - due Feb. 4, 2025
- Research Supplement to Promote Diversity in Science - due Feb. 6, 2025
- Transformational Project Award - due Feb. 13, 2025
Get With The GuidelinesĀ®
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!
- 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
2024 Holidays