Scientific researchers: Win up to $20K studying effectiveness of cardiovascular, stroke research funding

New data challenge by the Global Cardiovascular Research Funders Forum, which includes the American Heart Association, will assess return on investment, gaps in research funding

DALLAS, April 1, 2024 — The Global Cardiovascular Research Funders Forum invite scientific researchers to compete in a new data challenge, hosted on the American Heart Association’s Precision Medicine Platform. The challenge is designed to better understand how to improve acceleration of science through funding. The winning project is eligible to receive a $20,000 USD cash prize.

The new data challenge aims to identify gaps in research funding for cardiovascular and stroke science. It asks applicants to answer the question: How can the organizations that fund cardiovascular and stroke science most effectively fund research to drive discoveries and improve lives?

“In this challenge, participants will apply artificial intelligence and data analytics to cardiovascular and stroke research programs to understand what has worked, what has not and where there are gaps,” said David Tancredi, M.D., PhD, president of the Leducq Foundation, a member of the Global Cardiovascular Research Funders Forum. “The results should help to make the Forum research organizations more effective.”

In determining success, research could be measured by:

• acquiring additional funding,
• meeting stated objectives,
• opening new research directions or
• providing impact on human health.

Researchers will also compare the impact of different types of cardiovascular diseases and stroke around the world to the proportion of funding spent to determine if certain areas are underfunded. Participants will use grant funding data provided from the Forum member organizations, and bring their institutional data, to conduct analyses using the American Heart Association’s Precision Medicine Platform. The platform is a cloud-based system that allows researchers to collaborate and analyze large datasets from any computer in the world in a secure environment and with the power of machine learning.

Challenge proposals are due June 10, 2024. The winner will receive a $20,000 USD cash prize. Second and third place will receive $5,000 USD each. All awards are contingent on final research being published in a peer-reviewed journal. To apply, visit https://precision.heart.org/gcrffdatachallenge.

The Global Cardiovascular Research Funders Forum is a coalition of major international cardiovascular research funders whose aim is to improve cardiovascular health worldwide by catalyzing, supporting and promoting transformational international research efforts in heart, stroke and circulatory diseases. Forum members include the American Heart Association; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; British Heart Foundation; Canadian Institutes of Health Research; Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada; Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislaufforschung (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research); National Heart Foundation of Australia; National Heart Foundation of New Zealand; Leducq Foundation; and Danish Heart Foundation.

The American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary organization focused on heart and brain health celebrating 100 years of lifesaving service, has invested more than $5 billion in research, making it the largest not-for-profit funding source in the U.S. for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease research next to the federal government.

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About the American Heart Association The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.   

 About the Global Cardiovascular Research Funders Forum The Global Cardiovascular Research Funders Forum (GCRFF) is a collaborative initiative between American Heart Association, British Heart Foundation, Danish Heart Foundation, Dutch Heart Foundation, German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, CIHR-Canada, Leducq Foundation, National Heart Foundation of Australia, National Heart Foundation of New Zealand, National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute (NIH-NHLBI), and Swiss Heart Foundation. The GCRFF’s mission is to improve global cardiovascular health by speeding up, supporting and promoting transformational international research efforts in heart, stroke and circulatory diseases.

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Michelle Rosenfeld: 214-706-1099; michelle.rosenfeld@heart.org

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