The American Heart Association (AHA) Student Scholarships provide funding opportunities for medical students, pre-doctoral students, and early-stage researchers interested in cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and stroke research.
The programme supports students in medicine, nursing, public health, nutrition, and related health disciplines by encouraging research training and scientific investigation.
About the American Heart Association Student Scholarships
The AHA scientific councils offer student scholarships designed to support early-stage researchers working on research projects related to:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Cerebrovascular disease
- Stroke
Projects may involve:
- Basic science research
- Clinical research
- Translational research
- Population science research
Students usually complete their projects during the summer under the guidance of an approved research mentor. Both the student applicant and research preceptor must be American Heart Association members when applying.
Scholarship Benefits
Selected students receive financial support to assist with research-related expenses, including:
- Living expenses
- Laboratory costs
- Research materials
- Other project-related needs
Student Scholarships in Cardiovascular Disease
The programme provides:
- $2,000 scholarship
- Paid directly to the student’s institution
Funding supports students conducting cardiovascular disease research in basic, clinical, translational, or population sciences.
The top recipient may also receive the Howard S. Silverman Scholar designation and an additional $1,000 stipend.
Student Scholarships in Cerebrovascular Disease and Stroke
This scholarship provides:
- $2,000 scholarship
- Support for students conducting research related to cerebrovascular disease and stroke
Recipients may also qualify for a $750 travel grant to attend the International Stroke Conference if eligibility requirements are met.
Student Scholarship in Cardiovascular Surgery
Sponsored by the Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia, this scholarship supports students researching:
- Cardiac surgery
- Vascular surgery
- Cardiovascular anesthesia
Recipients receive a $2,000 scholarship paid through their institution.
Eligible recipients may also receive a $750 travel grant and additional professional development opportunities.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must generally meet the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in a medical school, master’s programme, or equivalent programme at an accredited U.S. institution
- Study at an institution where cardiovascular disease and stroke research training is available
- Work under qualified research supervision
Additional requirements include:
- Applicants and their research preceptors must be active American Heart Association members at the time of application.
- Applicants who already earned an MD/PhD or PhD are generally not eligible unless the previous PhD was unrelated to basic sciences.
Research Duration
The scholarship typically supports students conducting research during the summer months.
Projects may take place over:
- Summer research periods
- Defined research blocks lasting several months
The project period cannot extend beyond May 30 of the following calendar year.
Application Deadline
Applicants must meet the following deadlines:
- April 2, 2026 — Deadline to have an active AHA membership
- April 3, 2026 at 6 p.m. CT — Application deadline
- June 30, 2026 — Funding notification date
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit their applications electronically through the Council Awards Application System. Hard-copy applications are not accepted.
Required documents include:
Student Scholar Statement
Applicants must provide a detailed statement explaining:
- Purpose of the research project
- Importance and impact of the research
- Expected outcomes
- Relevant coursework and academic information
Preceptor Statement
The research mentor must provide information about:
- Research programme details
- Training responsibilities
- Student duties
- Project timeline
- Research funding support
Applicants must also provide:
- Student and preceptor CVs
- Bibliographies where applicable
- Approval letters if research occurs outside the home institution
- Optional recommendation letters
How to Apply
Students can apply through the American Heart Association Council Awards Application System.
Applicants should:
- Confirm eligibility
- Maintain active AHA membership
- Prepare research proposal documents
- Submit the online application before the deadline
Only one of the three scholarship programmes may be selected per applicant, based on the relevance of their research area.
Opportunity Summary
Scholarship Name: American Heart Association Student Scholarships 2026–2027
Organisation: American Heart Association
Study Areas: Cardiovascular Disease, Stroke, Medical Research, Public Health
Funding Type: Research Scholarship
Award Amount: Up to $2,000 + additional grants for selected categories
Eligible Applicants: Medical students and early-stage health researchers in the United States
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