Strategic Grants

In 2020, the Heart Foundation together with MRFF Cardiovascular Health Mission is investing $8 million into the following fields of cardiovascular research.

Cardio-Oncology Grant

This grant will generate innovative and collaborative research into the topic of Cardio-oncology, addressing the emerging and rapidly growing area of improving cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in cancer survivors.

The focus of the grant may include, but is not limited to:

• Prevention of cardiotoxicity
• Predictors of cardiotoxicity
• Cardioprotective strategies
• Treatment of cardiotoxicity
• Enhancing care and survivorship for patients 

Predictive Modelling Grant

The accurate prediction of an individual’s risk of developing CVD, having a CVD event or predicting subsequent events is a considerable gap in cardiovascular risk assessment. Even with new biomarkers and diagnostic tools, gaps remain. Advances in screening/risk prediction those at risk would allow targeting resources at the true high-risk individuals and adherence therapies (along with minimising overtreatment of false positives).

Predictive modelling may include, but is not limited to:

• Identifying approach life stage for intervention – optimal age for intervention
• Identifying high risk individuals early in life
• Preventing sudden cardiac death in the young
• Developing models that mimic genetic heart disease
• Screening for structural heart disease and vascular disease
• Prediction of dementia after stroke
• Predicting heart attack (and other heart events) through artificial intelligence 

Secondary Prevention Grant

Secondary prevention and cardiac rehabilitation services have been shown to reduce mortality and morbidity rates, improve health outcomes and quality of life.  Yet, the latest Australian evidence shows majority of patients do not receive optimal care post cardiovascular event.  Despite the clear benefits, access, referral and adherence of secondary prevention and cardiac rehabilitation services remain suboptimal. 

The Grant should aim at addressing the gaps in secondary prevention and cardiac rehabilitation, including:

• improvements in accessibility and delivery of cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention services
• flexible and personalised models of care, reducing disparities amongst disadvantaged groups
• improvements in adherence to cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention services
• new ways for delivering evidence-based medicines and/or improving medication adherence
• new/improved initiatives for increasing functional capacity, reducing cardiovascular symptoms, and enhancing the quality of life 

Women and Heart Disease Grant

There is now strong evidence describing sex and gender differences in physiology, pathology, behaviour and social constructs and their impact on the experience of heart disease in women. Australian and international evidence also describes the poorer health outcomes for women with heart disease and the disparities in treatment and care that exist between women and men.

The Women and Heart Disease Grant may include, but is not limited to, sex-specific differences in:

• primary prevention and identification of women at risk of heart disease,
• treatment and access to care for women presenting with / living with heart disease,
• secondary prevention / cardiac rehabilitation, and
• biological and/or behavioural differences in cardiovascular pathophysiology and outcomes

Who can apply? 

Applicants will be experienced senior researchers, have 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.

For full details, download eligibility requirements below:

• Cardio-Oncology Grant eligibility requirements 
• Predictive Modelling Grant eligibility requirements
• Secondary Prevention Grant eligibility requirements
• Women and Heart Disease Grant eligibility requirements

What is the value of the Grant? 

$1,000,000 funding over 3 years . The Heart Foundation together with MRFF Cardiovascular Health Mission is investing $1 million per grant with two grants awarded for each program.

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:


Cardio-Oncology and Predictive Modelling Grants
Applications open: July 6, 2020 at 10am (aest)
Applications close: August 14, 2020 at 5pm (aest)
Those successful in stage 1, will be notified by: October 12, 2020 


Women and Heart Disease and Secondary Prevention Grants
Applications open: August 3, 2020 at 10am (aest)
Applications close: September 11, 2020 at 5pm (aest)
Those successful in stage 1, will be notified by: November 9, 2020 

Applicants who were successful in Stage 2 of the 2020 Strategic Grants application process will be notified by early May 2021.

How should you apply? 

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

For full instructions on applying download ‘Grants - How to Apply’:

• Cardio-Oncology Grant – How to Apply
• Predictive Modelling Grant – How to Apply
• Secondary Prevention Grant – How to Apply
• Women and Heart Disease Grant – How to Apply

APPLY NOW

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