American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowship

The American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowship is a competitive research training award designed to support early-stage doctoral and clinical health professional students pursuing careers in cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and brain health research. The program is administered by the American Heart Association, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing scientific discovery and improving global health outcomes related to heart disease and stroke. In partnership with organizations such as Autism Speaks and other co-funders, the fellowship may also support interdisciplinary research areas that connect cardiovascular health with neurological and developmental conditions, emphasizing translational and implementation science. The primary purpose of this fellowship is to enhance the research and clinical training of promising students by providing structured mentorship and financial support during their predoctoral studies. Applicants are expected to propose a well-defined research project that addresses a specific scientific question aligned with the AHA mission. The program prioritizes projects that contribute to improving health outcomes and advancing scientific knowledge in cardiovascular or brain health. Fellows are expected to take primary responsibility for developing and writing their proposals, while working closely with an experienced mentor who provides guidance and ensures alignment with ongoing funded research. Funding for the fellowship consists of a stipend that aligns with National Institutes of Health predoctoral levels, along with additional support for health insurance and modest project-related expenses. The award provides an annual stipend of 29364 dollars, an additional 4550 dollars for health insurance, and 2000 dollars per year in project support. The fellowship duration is one to two years. Importantly, the award does not cover the full cost of research activities, and applicants must rely on their mentor’s laboratory for additional funding support. The American Heart Association does not provide indirect cost funding for this fellowship. Eligibility for the program is limited to individuals enrolled full-time in qualifying doctoral or clinical health professional degree programs, including PhD, MD, DO, DVM, PharmD, DDS, DrPH, and related disciplines. Applicants must be affiliated with U.S.-based nonprofit institutions capable of conducting the proposed research. While applicants do not need to reside in the United States prior to applying, they must hold an eligible immigration status such as U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or an approved visa designation at the time of submission and throughout the award period. Applicants must also be active members of the American Heart Association at the time of submission. The application process requires submission through ProposalCentral, an online grants management system. Applications must include a detailed research plan, mentor training plan, personal statement, and supporting documentation including three letters of reference. The proposal must be submitted by an institutional representative and adhere to strict formatting and submission requirements outlined by the AHA. Applications must be submitted by 3 p.m. Central Time on the deadline date, and early submission is encouraged to avoid technical or administrative issues. Applications are evaluated through a rigorous peer review process based on three primary criteria: the potential of the applicant as a future researcher, the quality and commitment of the mentor and training environment, and the scientific merit and training value of the proposed research project. Reviewers assess factors such as prior research experience, clarity of career goals, feasibility and significance of the research, and the strength of the mentorship plan. The AHA may triage a portion of applications prior to full review. The fellowship follows a defined annual timeline. For the current cycle, proposals open in July 2026, with a submission deadline of August 4, 2026. Award notifications are expected in December 2026, and funded projects begin on January 1, 2027. The program is recurring annually, with similar timelines anticipated in future cycles. For additional information or application support, applicants may consult official AHA resources or contact program administrators via the provided organizational channels.

Align proposal closely with mentor funded research and clearly demonstrate training value career trajectory and feasibility while addressing a significant cardiovascular or brain health problem