The AHA to Award $10M to Research on Mechanisms Underlying Cardiovascular Consequences Associated with COVID-19 and Long COVID
Submit your proposal by Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at 3 pm Central Time

The American Heart Association (AHA) is accepting research proposals to better understand the mechanism(s) underlying cardiac, vascular and cerebrovascular effects of COVID-19 and Long COVID, as well as mechanisms that contribute to differential susceptibility to Long COVID. The submission deadline is Tuesday, February 1, 2022, 3pm CST.

Proposals are sought that will utilize contemporary and innovative approaches to assess tissue damage and/or dysfunction of the heart and vasculature/cerebrovascular, and/or potential associated dysregulation of various signaling pathways and systems. Proposals directed toward leveraging basic mechanistic discoveries, including identification of biomarkers, to develop therapeutic approaches for cardiovascular consequences of COVID are also of interest. Due to the heterogeneity of Long COVID, important insights into key mechanistic underpinnings and potential treatment strategies are most likely to be achieved in participant populations with well-characterized phenotypes.

Because of the racial and ethnic disparities associated with COVID-19 and Long COVID, proposals should have a strong focus on inclusion of demographically diverse subject populations. Applicants proposing studies engaging individuals who have active Long COVID are encouraged to consider utilization of a patient-centered approach in designing, conducting and disseminating their studies (https://www.pcori.org/research-results/2021/using-body-mapping-develop-patient-centered-research-agenda-about-long-covid).

Grant amounts will be a minimum of $500,000 and a maximum of $1,000,000 over a three-year funding period, including up to 10 percent institutional indirect costs. The AHA anticipates funding up to $10 million in awards.

View the full RFA
Visit the AHA Application Information web page for program details and application instructions.

Contact Us
AHA research staff is available Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time to assist with the application process and to answer questions.
Email StrategicAwards@heart.org.