AHA Merit Award

About this program

The American Heart Association’s 2026 Merit Award supports established investigators with exceptional track records in advancing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular research. The award funds novel approaches to major research challenges, aiming to transform scientific understanding, clinical practice, and public health policy. Applicants must be AHA Professional Members, hold a PhD and/or MD (or equivalent), and be tenured or tenure-track professors at eligible U.S. nonprofit institutions, with active national peer-reviewed research awards. Eligibility requires U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or pending residency with legal authorization, and proposals must include at least one full-time fellow and one early-career faculty member.