[American Heart Association](https://www.heart.org)

September 2026 (proposal deadline; projected, 3:00 p.m. Central Time)

$28,788 annual stipend + $4,550/year health insurance + $2,000/year project support; 1–2 years; no indirect costs

Supports integrated research and clinical training for predoctoral students pursuing careers in cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or brain health research.

--- ## Description The American Heart Association (AHA) Predoctoral Fellowship is designed to enhance the integrated research and clinical training of promising predoctoral students (including clinical health professional degree trainees) who are committed to careers as scientists, physician-scientists, clinician-scientists, or related roles focused on advancing global cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and brain health. The fellowship emphasizes the development of independent research skills under the guidance of a qualified mentor, supporting bold, innovative research projects that align with the AHA's mission. Collaborative opportunities may be available through partnerships with organizations such as the Children’s Heart Foundation, Autism Speaks, Barth Syndrome Foundation, and California Walnut Commission. --- ## Due Dates - September 2026: Proposal deadline (anticipated; proposals must be received by 3:00 p.m. Central Time) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Annual stipend: $28,788 (matches NIH predoctoral stipend at time of application) - Health insurance allowance: $4,550 per year (may only be used for health insurance or to supplement it) - Project support: $2,000 per year (flexible use; e.g., travel, equipment, supplies, international travel permitted) - Duration: 1 or 2 years - No indirect costs are allowed on this fellowship --- ## Eligibility - **Degree Status:** At the time of application, must be enrolled full-time in a post-baccalaureate doctoral program (PhD, MD, DO, DVM, PharmD, DDS, DrPH, or equivalent clinical health science doctoral degree, including PhD in nursing or public health). - **Stage:** Must have completed initial coursework and be able to devote at least 80% full-time effort to research by the time of award activation. - **Institution:** Research must be conducted at a U.S.-based non-profit institution (universities, medical/dental/veterinary/public health/pharmacy/nursing schools, public/voluntary hospitals). - **Citizenship/Residency:** No U.S. residency requirement, but at proposal submission (and throughout award), applicants must hold one of the following: - U.S. citizen, permanent resident, pending permanent resident (I-485 filed), E-3, F-1 (students only), G-4, H1-B, J-1 (students only), O-1, TN, or DACA status. - **Other:** Not open to individuals of faculty/staff rank. Applicants may not hold more than one AHA research award at a time. Only one application per deadline is allowed. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Applications must be submitted electronically via [ProposalCentral](https://proposalcentral.com/). The system opens approximately eight weeks before the deadline. - **AHA Membership:** Applicant and mentor must be [AHA Professional Members](https://professional.heart.org/en/professional-membership/become-a-member) at the time of submission. - **Mentor:** Applicants must have a mentor who is an established investigator; the mentor must provide guidance but the applicant must have primary responsibility for proposal writing. - **References:** Three confidential letters of reference are required (uploaded via ProposalCentral by the referees). Mentors, co-mentors, department heads, collaborating investigators, or consultants involved in the proposal may not serve as referees. - **Documents:** Required components include: - NIH-format biosketch (with AHA-specific personal statement) - 5-page research plan (jointly developed with mentor) - Mentor’s biosketch, training plan, and record of trainees - Letters of reference - Other supporting documents as specified ([full list here](https://professional.heart.org/en/research-programs/application-resources/required-application-documents)) - **Formatting:** Strict page limits and formatting rules apply. See [application instructions (PDF)](https://professional.heart.org/-/media/PHD-Files/Research/Application-Resources-Media-Folder/Application-Instructions/AHA_Research_Funding_Application_Instructions_AC.pdf?sc_lang=en). - **Review:** Applications are peer-reviewed using AHA criteria (summary for non-scientists, applicant evaluation, mentor/training plan, and proposal merit). --- ## Additional Information - The stipend and health insurance allowance are set annually and may change to match NIH levels at the time of application opening. - The award does not permit indirect costs. - International travel is allowed and does not require prior AHA approval. - Use of generative AI/LLMs for proposal preparation is allowed if disclosed; use in peer review is prohibited. - A mentor may supervise a maximum of four AHA-funded fellows and two AHA-supported student fellows at any one time (excludes co-mentors and SFRN fellows). - Awardees may defer the start of the fellowship up to six months if holding another training grant, with prior approval. - Applicants may not hold a comparable award (such as another fellowship) as supplementation. - The research plan must be original and not duplicate another investigator’s or mentor’s submission. --- ## External Links - [AHA Predoctoral Fellowship Program Page](https://professional.heart.org/en/research-programs/aha-funding-opportunities/predoctoral-fellowship) - [Application Instructions (PDF)](https://professional.heart.org/-/media/PHD-Files/Research/Application-Resources-Media-Folder/Application-Instructions/AHA_Research_Funding_Application_Instructions_AC.pdf?sc_lang=en) - [Required Application Documents](https://professional.heart.org/en/research-programs/application-resources/required-application-documents) - [AHA Professional Membership Information](https://professional.heart.org/en/professional-membership/become-a-member) - [AHA Policies Governing Awards](https://professional.heart.org/en/research-programs/awardee-resources/policies-governing-all-research-awards) - [Reference Report Instructions](https://professional.heart.org/en/research-programs/application-resources/required-application-documents/reference-information) --- ## Contact Information | Topic | Contact | |------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Program Questions | [apply@heart.org](mailto:apply@heart.org) or +1 214-360-6107 (option 1) | | AHA Membership | +1-888-242-2453 or +1-972-349-5803 | | ProposalCentral Technical | [pcsupport@altum.com](mailto:pcsupport@altum.com) or +1-800-875-2562 (US/Canada), +1-703-964-5840 (Intl) | | Funder Main Page | [https://www.heart.org](https://www.heart.org) | ---

Predoctoral Fellowship

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