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.
$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.
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.
AHA Funding Opportunities
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
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 AHA since 2001.
Analytic Opportunities
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
See the results of the AHA's more than $5.9 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 encompassing the latest funding opportunities and news.
Research News
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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. -
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. -
Researchers awarded $15 million to study CKM syndrome in women
Research teams from Augusta University, Massachusetts General Hospital and The Ohio State University will lead a $15 million project dedicated to studying the various ways that risk factors for cardiovascular and kidney diseases impact women. -
Researchers receive grants to study CVD diabetes connection
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. -
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.
Funding Announcements
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
2025 Holidays