AHA/CHF Congenital Heart Defect Research Awards
The AHA and CHF share common priorities and interests in investing in congenital heart defects (CHD) research. CHF was founded in 1996 and is the country’s leading national organization solely committed to funding CHD research. The mission of CHF is to fund the most promising research to advance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of CHDs. Since its inception, CHF has funded millions of dollars of research across the U.S. and Canada.
The AHA was founded in 1924 and is a catalyst for achieving maximum impact in equitable health and well-being in the United States and around the world. The AHA has invested more than $4.3 billion in research, making it the largest private not- for-profit funder of cardiovascular and stroke research outside the federal government. The mission of the AHA is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.
Funding Mechanisms available for this RFA:
– Predoctoral Fellowship
– Postdoctoral Fellowship
– Career Development Award*
– Transformational Project Award*
* Note: The Career Development Award and the Transformational Project Award will not be offered for the 2020-2021 funding cycle. They may be offered again in the future.
Awards are open to an array of academic and health professionals. This includes but is not limited to all academic disciplines (biology, chemistry, mathematics, technology, physics, bioengineering, etc.) and all health-related professions (physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, physical and occupational therapists, statisticians, nutritionists, etc.).
Up to two years for predoctoral; up to 4 years for postdoctoral
Upper $300,000USD Lower $24,816USD
– Annual Stipend – matches the NIH scale for predoctoral fellows
2020: $25,320, plus $4,200 per year for health insurance. Note: Stipend may be used to further supplement health insurance cost, however, the health insurance allowance may not be used for any other purpose.
– Project Support
$2,000 per year, in addition to the stipend. No limit on any line item (travel, computer, equipment, etc.). International travel is permitted and does not require prior AHA approval.
– Award Duration
Two years
Postdoctoral Fellowship:
– Stipend varies depending on years of experience. Amounts range from $50,004 – $61,308
– Plus: $10,850 per year for health insurance. Note: Stipend may be used to further supplement health insurance cost, however, the health insurance allowance may not be used for any other purpose.
– Project Support
$3,000 per year, in addition to the stipend. No limit on any line item (travel, computer, equipment, etc.). A minimum of $1,500 per year must be spent on travel to a national conference (attendance of AHA Scientific Sessions is strongly encouraged). International travel is permitted and does not require prior AHA approval.
– Award Duration
Two years. May apply for a second two-year award. All eligibility criteria apply. Maximum of four years of postdoctoral fellowship support per individual.
At the time of application, must have one of the following designations:
– U.S. citizen
– Permanent resident
– Pending permanent resident (any resident who has an approved I-765 form and has submitted an I-485 application with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services)
– E-3 Visa – specialty occupation worker
– H1-B Visa – temporary worker in a specialty occupation
– F-1 – student visa
– J-1 Visa – exchange visitor
– O-1 Visa – temporary worker with extraordinary abilities in the sciences
– TN Visa – North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Professional
– G-4 Visa – family member of employee of international organizations
– DACA – Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. This status requires additional AHA approval to apply.
Applicants are not required to reside in the United States for any period before applying for American Heart Association funding. An awardee must maintain one of the designations listed above throughout the duration of the award.
Awards are limited to U.S.-based non-profit institutions, including medical, osteopathic and dental schools, veterinary schools, schools of public health, pharmacy schools, nursing schools, universities and colleges, public and voluntary hospitals and others that can demonstrate the ability to conduct the proposed research. Applications will not be accepted for work with funding to be administered through any federal institution or work to be performed by a federal employee, except for Veterans Administration employees.
Predoctoral Fellowship:
At the time of application, the applicant must be:
– enrolled in a post-baccalaureate Ph.D., M.D., D.O., D.V.M., Pharm.D., D.D.S., DrPH, or Ph.D. in nursing or equivalent clinical health science doctoral degree program, who seeks research training with a sponsor prior to embarking upon a research career.
– a full-time student working towards his/her degree
Postdoctoral Fellowship:
– At the time of award activation, the applicant must hold a post-baccalaureate Ph.D. degree or equivalent, or a doctoral-level clinical degree, such as M.D., D.O., D.V.M., Pharm.D., Dr.Ph, Ph.D. in nursing, public health, or other clinical health science., or equivalent clinical health science doctoral student who seeks research training with a sponsor prior to embarking upon a research career
– At the time of award activation, the awardee may not be pursuing a doctoral degree and may not have more than five years of research training or experience since obtaining a post-baccalaureate doctoral-level degree (excluding clinical training).