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Research funding portfolio

Heart research

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Research funding

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Research funding portfolio

Funding breakthrough cardiovascular research in Australia

Our research funding programs support and develop excellence in cardiovascular research (including stroke research), from bench to bedside and beyond. 

The Heart Foundation funds innovative and world-class research programs, exploring issues related to cardiovascular disease in the areas of biomedical, clinical, public health and health services.

We provide opportunities for individual researchers and projects that support our goal to prevent heart disease, improve heart health and enhance the quality of life of all people in Australia.  

I’ve had support from the Heart Foundation throughout my research career. That’s been amazing and has allowed me to pursue an independent research career.

Professor Andrew Steer 

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Research grant recipients 2025

We are proud to announce the grant recipients awarded in 2025, commencing research projects in 2026.

Funding portfolio

2026 Research Funding Initiatives
Funding program Applications open Applications close
Future Leader Fellowship (stage 1) 9 February 2026 13 March 2026
Future Leader Fellowship (stage 2) 18 May 2026 26 June 2026
Postdoctoral Fellowship 2 March 2026 17 April 2026
Postgraduate Scholarship 16 March 2026 1 May 2026
Vanguard Grant 30 March 2026 15 May 2026
First Nations CVD Grant 7 April 2026 22 May 2026
Collaboration & Exchange Grant 13 April 2026 29 May 2026

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.

The Postdoctoral Fellowship is aimed at early career researchers and seeks to identify the strongest emerging Australian talent who have just completed or nearing completion of their doctoral studies (PhD).

The Postgraduate Scholarship provides funding to support successful applicants to attain a research based postgraduate degree (Doctor of Philosophy or Research Master’s degree). It will support outstanding graduates early in their careers so they can be trained to conduct cardiovascular health and medical research that is internationally competitive.

This First Nations CVD Grant funding opportunity is for future building within our First Nations Cardiovascular Health Research Community. The proposed project should look to produce tangible outcomes with the potential of creating high-impact change for First Nations cardiovascular health.

Vanguard Grants 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.

The Collaboration and Exchange Grant provides an opportunity to Heart Foundation funded scholars and fellows to visit national or international research facilities to collaborate and share knowledge.

Resources

  • Download the 2026 Research Program Funding Guidelines for more details.

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Vanguard Grants

Testing the feasibility of innovative concepts, the Vanguard Grant offers funding opportunities to individuals or research teams.

Applications closed
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Postdoctoral Fellowship

This fellowship 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 a demonstrated strong track record during their PhD and be working towards gaining recognition for their expertise in their research area

Applications closed
A researcher talking to a table of her peers
Future Leader Fellowship

The fellowship supports aspiring leaders who are developing independence and developing their own research portfolio, through to established leaders of cardiovascular research groups with extensive research portfolios.

Applications closed

Last updated05 February 2026

Last reviewed04 February 2026