AHA Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 | Fully Funded

The American Heart Association (AHA) Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 is a prestigious funding opportunity designed to support early-career researchers in advancing their training in cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or brain health research. This fellowship is perfect for postdoctoral scholars who are not yet independent and aim to make significant contributions to heart and stroke research.

Purpose of the Fellowship

The AHA Postdoctoral Fellowship aims to:

• Enhance the training of postdoctoral researchers who are not yet independent.
• Support researchers in developing academic careers while balancing clinical or other responsibilities.
• Foster innovative research in cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or brain health under the guidance of a mentor.

This fellowship is flexible, especially for clinicians, to help balance research with clinical duties, ensuring a strong foundation for a research-focused career.

Key Details

• Duration: 1–2 years, with the option to apply for a second two-year award (maximum of 4 years of AHA postdoctoral support).
• Funding:
  • Stipend matches the NIH postdoctoral stipend levels as of July 1, 2025. Click here to check monthly stipend.
  • Additional $12,200 per year for health insurance (can be used to supplement insurance costs but not for other purposes).
  • Minimum of $1,500 per year for travel to a national conference (AHA Scientific Sessions strongly encouraged).
  • No limit on budget items like travel, equipment, or computers.
• Application Deadline: September 4, 2025, 3 p.m. Central Time
• Submission Platform: Proposals must be submitted via ProposalCentral.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the AHA Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026, you must meet the following requirements:

• Educational Background: Hold a post-baccalaureate Ph.D., M.D., D.O., D.V.M., Pharm.D., D.D.S., Dr.PH., or equivalent clinical health science doctoral degree at the time of award activation.
• Research Experience: Have no more than 5 years of research training or experience since obtaining your doctoral degree (excluding clinical training).
• Time Commitment: Dedicate at least 80% of full-time work to research or activities related to becoming an independent researcher (not administrative, clinical, or teaching duties unless integral to the research).
• Mentorship: Be embedded in an appropriate research group with a mentor providing scientific guidance and support.
• Visa Status:
  • U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or those with DACA status.
  • International applicants with J-1 or O-1 visas (or equivalent) at the time of award activation.
  • Applicants are not required to reside in the U.S. before applying but must maintain an AHA-accepted visa throughout the award duration.
• Institution: Research must be conducted at a U.S.-based non-profit institution (e.g., universities, medical schools, hospitals).
• AHA Membership: Applicants must be AHA Professional Members at the time of application. Join or renew via ProposalCentral or by calling +1-888-242-2453. Membership processing may take 3-5 days; do not wait until the application deadline to renew or join.

Application Requirements

Your application must include:

• Personal BioSketch: 5-page NIH Fellowship Biographical Sketch, including your training and career goals in the Personal Statement.
• Research Plan: A 5-page proposal, collaboratively developed with your mentor, addressing a clear investigative question in cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or brain health research.
• Reference Letters: Three letters (1–2 pages each) uploaded by referees via ProposalCentral by the deadline.
• Mentor Documents:
  • List of the mentor’s 15 most impactful publications relevant to the proposed research (2 pages).
  • Details of the mentor’s research funding over the past 5 years (1 page).
• Additional Notes:
  • Hyperlinks to data/figures are not allowed in the Research Plan or other documents.
  • Preliminary data can be from the mentor if you lack sufficient data, encouraging bold and innovative ideas.

See also: BrightFocus Foundation Grant: Funding Opportunities for Alzheimer’s, Macular Degeneration, and Glaucoma Research

Restrictions

• Concurrent Awards: You cannot hold another AHA award or a comparable fellowship simultaneously. However, you can apply for another AHA award in the last year of the fellowship and must resign the postdoctoral fellowship if the new award is activated.
• Supplementation: AHA allows supplementation from other sources to meet institutional stipend/benefit levels, but not from comparable fellowships.
• Deferral: If you have an existing training grant, you may defer the AHA award start by up to 6 months with prior AHA approval.
• Federal Institutions: Applications are not accepted for work funded through federal institutions or by federal employees, except for specific AHA programs or Veterans Administration employees.

Co-Funded Opportunities

The AHA collaborates with organizations like the AHA/CHF Congenital Heart Defect Research Awards, AHA/VIVA Physician Research Award, Autism Speaks, Barth Syndrome Foundation, and California Walnut Commission to provide additional funding for specific research areas. Check the AHA website for details.

Why Apply?

• Flexible Support: Tailored for researchers balancing clinical and research responsibilities.
• Mentorship: Work closely with an established mentor to guide your research career.
• Funding Flexibility: No limits on budget items like travel or equipment, and international travel is permitted without prior approval.
• Career Development: Build a strong foundation for an independent research career in cardiovascular and brain health.

How to Apply

1. Join AHA: Ensure you’re an AHA Professional Member.
2. Prepare Documents: Review the AHA Application Instructions and prepare all required documents.
3. Submit via ProposalCentral: Complete your application and upload documents by September 4, 2025, 3:00 PM CT.
4. Secure References: Ensure referees upload letters by the deadline.
5. Contact AHA: For questions, email apply@heart.org.

Monthly stipend

2026 AHA Annual Stipends

Plus $12,200 per year for health insurance.

Additional Resources

• Visit the AHA Postdoctoral Fellowship page for full details.
• Check the AHA Application Resources for policies and guidelines.
• Learn more about co-funded opportunities on the AHA website.

Take this opportunity to advance your research career and contribute to life-saving discoveries in cardiovascular and brain health!

Source: American Heart Association Professional Heart Daily