Required Application Documents

Required Documents - The Applicant (PI) is required to submit specific documents, which vary for each award program. In addition, other individuals (called Third Parties) associated with the application will provide supporting documents. All required documents must be uploaded into ProposalCentral by the applicant before the proposal can be submitted to the AHA. The lists displayed below are only for award mechanisms with pending submission deadlines.

Biosketch Special Instructions - The AHA requires all applicants to provide information specific to each award mechanism. Please review carefully the updated Biosketch Instructions and Information Required in Personal Statement Section

Reference Reports/Letters - Several programs require reference reports or letters. Referees will upload their documents into ProposalCentral by using a link that will be sent to them via a system-generated email message. Referees must upload their documents before the proposal can be submitted. Applicants should communicate deadlines (both institutional and AHA) to those providing reference letters.

Application Instructions - For items below that are not hyperlinked, instructions are contained in the Application Instructions (PDF). The maximum number of pages permitted for each item is listed below.

ProposalCentral - Submission of proposals for AHA research funding is done entirely online, using ProposalCentral. Paper submissions are not accepted. Only the required documents can be submitted; there is no mechanism for supplemental materials.

View AHA policies governing all research awards including Open Science Policies.

AHA Predoctoral & Postdoctoral Fellowships

Applicant

Proposed Research Plan (5 pages)
Biosketch/Personal Statement
Literature Cited (4 pages)
Vertebrate Animal Subjects (no page limit)
Resubmission Modifications (if applicable, 2 pages)

Third Party Personnel

Referees:
Reference Reports - 3 required (4 pages each)

Sponsor/Mentor and Co-Mentor (if one has been named):

Biosketch of Mentor
Biosketch of Co-Mentor

**Each of the following three documents from the mentor should also include the co-mentor's information.**

Past and Current Trainees (3 pages per mentor)
Training Plan for the Fellow (3 pages)
Research Project Environment (no page limit)

Optional third-party personnel:

Institutional Award for Undergraduate Student Training

Applicant (program director)

Implementation Plan (12 pages)
Biosketch
Resubmission Modifications (if applicable, 2 pages)
Literature Cited (4 pages)

Third Party Personnel, if listed in application

Career Development Award

Applicant

Research Plan (8 pages)
Biosketch
Career Development Plan (3 pages)
Literature Cited (4 pages)
Research Project Environment (DOCX) (2 pages)
Budget Justification Form (DOCX) (2 pages)
Vertebrate Animal Subjects (if applicable, no page limit)
Resubmission Modifications (if applicable, 2 pages)

Third Party Personnel

Department Head Letter (5 pages)

Primary Mentor:

Secondary Mentor

Additional Mentors (up to two)

Optional Third Parties:

AHA Institutional Research Enhancement Award (AIREA)

Applicant

Research Plan (8 pages)
Research Project Environment (DOCX) (2 pages)
Budget Justification Form (DOCX) (2 pages)
Biosketch
Literature Cited (4 pages)
Vertebrate Animal Subjects (if applicable, no page limit)
Resubmission Modifications (if applicable, 2 pages)

Third Party Personnel

Provost's Letter of Institutional Eligibility (1 page)

Optional third-party personnel:

2026 American Heart Association holidays:
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Sept.7, Nov. 26 & 27, Dec. 21-25

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