American Heart Association Career Development Award

Note to PIs: The following program summary is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It does not replace the sponsor’s actual funding opportunity announcement. Always review the most recent version of the sponsor’s full announcement to verify that the deadline has not changed and to identify the most current program requirements.

About the program

The Career Development Award supports highly promising healthcare and academic professionals, in the early years of one’s first professional appointment, to explore innovative questions or pilot studies that will provide preliminary data and training necessary to assure the applicant’s future success as a research scientist. The award will develop the research skills to support and greatly enhance the awardee’s chances to obtain and retain a high-quality career position.

The AHA funds basic, clinical, behavioral, translational and population research, bioengineering/biotechnology and public health problems broadly related to fulfilling our mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. AHA awards are open to the array of academic and health professionals. This includes but is not limited to all academic disciplines (biology, chemistry, mathematics, technology, physics, etc.) and all health-related professions (physicians, nurses, advanced practice nurses, pharmacists, dentists, physical and occupational therapists, statisticians, nutritionists, behavioral scientists, engineers, etc.). Clinical, translational, population, behavioral, and basic scientists are encouraged to apply AHA strongly encourages applications by women, underrepresented minorities in the sciences, and those who have experienced diverse and non-traditional career trajectories.

Eligibility
At the time of application, the applicant must hold an M.D., Ph.D., D.O., D.V.M., D.D.S., or equivalent post-baccalaureate doctoral degree.

  • Postdoctoral fellows are eligible to apply and must have attained faculty appointment by the time of award activation.
  • The AHA will permit a Career Development Awardee to concurrently hold an NIH K award. if there is no budgetary overlap. NIH K99/R00 awardees may apply if they will be in the R00 stage of the award at time of AHA Career Development Award activation.

At the time of award activation:

  • An awardee must hold a faculty/staff position up to and including the rank of assistant professor (or equivalent).
  • No more than five years may have elapsed since the first faculty/staff appointment (after receipt of doctoral degree) at the assistant professor level or equivalent (including, but not limited to, instructor, research assistant professor, research scientist, staff scientist, etc.).
  • While no minimum percent effort is required, the applicant must demonstrate that adequate time will be devoted to ensuring successful completion of the project.

Citizenship
At the time of application, must have one of the following designations:

  • United States 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 - specialty occupation worker
  • H-1B Visa - temporary worker in a specialty occupation. Note: You must have an H-1B or equivalent by the award activation date. If the H-1B or equivalent is not received by the award activation date, the award must be relinquished.
  • J-1 Visa - exchange visitor. Note: You must have an H-1B or equivalent by the award activation date. If the H-1B or equivalent is not received by the award activation date, the award must be relinquished.
  • 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.

Award amount and award period

$77,000 per year for a total award amount of $231,000, including 10% institutional indirect costs.

Award period

Three years, non-renewable.

Application deadline

October 15, 2019.

Learn more

Visit https://professional.heart.org/professional/ResearchPrograms/UCM_495968_Career-Development-Award.jsp.

Last updated: August 1, 2019.