Research funding programs

Future Leader Fellows are emerging leaders; the best and brightest in cardiovascular research. Being awarded a fellowship will allow a researcher to build their research capacity, as they become leaders of research groups. In 2021, the Heart Foundation has expanded eligibility criteria to include researcher up to 15 years post-PhD.

Level 1

To support the best and brightest cardiovascular researchers through prestigious and generous funding, helping them to develop as independent researchers.

To be eligible, applicants must have been awarded their PhD 3–6 years prior to the application closing date.

Level 2

To support researchers who are becoming leaders of cardiovascular research groups and developing their own research portfolio.

To be eligible, applicants must have been awarded their PhD 7–10 years prior to the application closing date

*New Level 3

To support senior researchers who have established careers in leading cardiovascular research groups and have developed an extensive research portfolio

To be eligible, applicants must have been awarded their PhD 11-15 years prior to the application closing date

What’s the value of the Grant?

When can you apply?

Applications open:  March 8, 2021
Applications close:  April 30, 2021
Successful applicants notified:  End October

How should you apply?

Applications must be submitted via the Heart Foundation’s Researcher Portal.

The Postdoctoral Fellowship aims to identify the best and brightest (recent) PhD graduates and to give them a boost to their research career and enhance their ability to attract and secure future funding.

This Award is aimed at early career researchers and seeks to identify the strongest emerging Australian talent who have just completed or nearing completion of their postdoctoral studies (PhD). The successful Postdoctoral Fellow will have not just a demonstrated strong track record during their PhD but also be actively engaged in leadership development such as supervision of students demonstrating the potential to become a leader in their research field.

To be eligible, you must have been awarded your PhD no more than 3 years prior to the application closing date.  

What’s the value of the Fellowship?  

• Stipend Year 1 - $75,000
• Stipend Year 2 - $76,200

When can you apply? 

Applications open: March 22, 2021 
Applications close: May 14, 2021 
Successful applicants notified: End October 

How should you apply? 

Applications must be submitted via the Heart Foundation’s Researcher Portal.  

The purpose of the Vanguard Grant is to provide funding to test the feasibility of innovative concepts in clinical, public health and/or health services (including clinical service delivery) or biomedical research which may lead to larger, more rigorous studies in the future. Both pilot studies and ‘stand-alone’ projects will be considered. These projects are expected to produce tangible outcomes with the potential to further advance preclinical research technology or improve cardiovascular health.

We can accept only one application per applicant (Chief Investigator A only please).

What’s the value of the Grant?

Applicants can apply for funding for up to two years, with up to $75,000 of funding per year with total budget no more than $150,000.  

When can you apply?

Applications open: March 1, 2021
Applications close: April 23, 2021
Successful applicants notified: End October

How should you apply?

Applications must be submitted via The Heart Foundation’s Researcher Portal.

*Please note the application will only be available on the portal from the open date.

Open only to Heart Foundation funded scholars or fellows, this award provides an opportunity to visit national or international research facilities to collaborate and share knowledge.

The award gives recipients opportunities to strengthen skills and further their research careers through the exchange of innovative ideas, knowledge, and activities.  

What’s the value of the Grant? 

This award will cover up to $5,000 to support activities for up to six months. 

When can you apply? 

Applications open: July 5 2021
Applications close: August 13, 2021 
Successful applicants notified: End October

How should you apply?

Applications must be submitted via The Heart Foundation’s Researcher Portal. 

This award provides funding for research groups and/or individuals conducting research in the cardiovascular health sphere. Projects are expected to produce tangible outcomes with the potential of creating high-impact change in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cardiovascular health research community.

Applicants will be required to demonstrate how the requested funding will benefit:

• Both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and/or communities
• The development of knowledge for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cardiovascular health management.  

What’s the value of the Grant? 

When can you apply? 

Applications open: April 19, 2021
Applications close: June 11, 2021
Successful applicants notified: End October

How should you apply? 

Applications must be submitted via The Heart Foundation’s Researcher Portal.  

*Please note the application will only be available on the portal from the open date.

The purpose of strategic grants is to generate an innovative and collaborative research into knowledge gap areas of research, or research areas deemed to be a priority of the Heart Foundation.

2021 Strategic grant topics will be announced early 2021 – stay tuned!

Who can apply? 

Strategic grants are open to experienced senior researchers, with a significant track record, national and/or international collaborative team, and an ability to attract further funding for the program.

Limit of one application per Chief Investigator A, per Strategic Grant program.

What’s the value of the Grant? 

$1,000,000 funding over 3 years.

When can you apply? 

This is a two-stage application process. For stage one, applicants must submit a ‘Letter of Intent’ style application, via the Heart Foundation Portal. Successful applicants in stage one will be invited to submit additional application details.

Stage One applications open on the following dates:

Topic 5 Strategic Grant – TBA early 2021
Applications open: May 31, 2021
Applications close: June 25, 2021
Those successful in stage 1, will be notified by: August 13, 2021 

Topic 6 Strategic Grant – TBA early 2021
Applications open: June 7, 2021
Applications close: July 2, 2021 
Those successful in stage 1, will be notified by: August 20, 2021 

How should you apply? 

Applications must be submitted via the Heart Foundation’s Researcher Portal.

Apply now

*Please note the application will only be available on the portal from the open date.