AHA Research


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 than 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.

American Heart Association logo
$5.9B
Invested in scientific research since 1949. The AHA is the largest nonprofit, non-governmental supporter of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular research in the U.S.
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1,800 projects
Currently being supported by the AHA. These total more than $500M in research funding. Of those, 1,100 were activated in 2023-24, accounting for $219M of funding.
2,458 reviewers
Number of peer volunteers who evaluated 4,944 proposals for AHA funding during the 2023-24 fiscal year.

Important Update

AHA’s Commitment to Research Funding

We are pleased to announce that the American Heart Association’s Board of Directors allocated an all-time high in research funding for this year. Due to recent changes in federal funding for biomedical research, the association has strategically adjusted its research program offerings. By collaborating with science volunteers and Association leadership, the organization is maximizing its resources to continue driving groundbreaking research, which remains central to our mission.

As part of these adjustments, some research programs will be temporarily paused, and some principal investigators on select programs ending in 2025 will have the opportunity to apply for limited bridge funding. We remain committed to supporting trainees, early career investigators, mid-career researchers, and institutions that typically receive less federal funding. Please see details on our Funding Opportunities page.

The AHA is continuously monitoring and evaluating both federal and non-profit research funding landscapes to address evolving challenges and uphold our dedication to funding the most impactful science.

Questions? Please email our [email protected]

Interested in current funding opportunities now accepting applications?
See List

AHA Funding Opportunities

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Funding research is a cornerstone of the American Heart Association’s lifesaving mission and a key to our future. AHA has been funding scientific research since 1949 and continually adds new timely, mission-related programs.

Application Resources

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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

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View current data on investigators, institutions, awards, and resulting publications funded by the AHA since 2001.

Analytic Opportunities

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Teams can access the AHA Precision Medicine Platform to collaborate and analyze data that includes Get With The Guidelines® and Research Goes Red for the power of machine learning in a secure cloud computing environment.

AHA Research History

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See the results of the AHA's more than $5.9 billion investment in research, both historic and recent.

Success
Rates

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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

Three underrepresented students - two females one male - from Boston University - SURE scholars
A unique summer research program for underrepresented college students interested in STEM careers.

Research Insider Signup

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Monthly e-newsletter encompassing the latest funding opportunities and news.

Research News

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.

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

2025 Holidays

AHA offices will be closed:
Jan. 1 Sept. 1
Jan. 20 Nov. 27 & 28
May 26 Dec. 22-26
July 3 & 4
Altum/Proposal Central will be closed:
Jan. 1 July 4
Jan. 20 Sept. 1
Feb. 17 Oct. 13
May 26 Nov. 27 & 28
June 19 Dec. 22-26