The association has carved an important niche in supporting the development of beginning investigators and offering innovative funding mechanisms to stimulate research in promising areas of cardiovascular science.
 | About Our Research Diseases of the heart are the No. 1 killer in America, and stroke is the No. 3 killer. The American Heart Association strongly believes that learning more about these diseases is the best way to reduce disability and death. That's why research is an association-wide priority |  | Funding Opportunities Research grants and fellowships are offered in summer and winter. A grant is an award of funds to cover the expenses necessary to conduct research. A fellowship is an award to support an individual who intends to pursue a scientific research career. |
 | Peer Review Peer review committees provide a critical science review of research applications according to established AHA Standards. These committees are made up of impartial members who are competent to judge and grade research projects.
|  | Awards Management Awards are managed by institutional officials, using the Grants@Heart system. |
|  | NIH Funding Opportunities See funding opportunities offered by the NIH. |
| 2012 Key Dates | |
| February 8 | Abstract submission deadline for QCOR Scientific Sessions |
| March 13-16 | EPI/NPAM Scientific Sessions, San Diego |
| March 14 - April 20 | Spring 2012 Peer Review Meetings |
| March 19 | Abstract submission deadline for BCVS Scientific Sessions |
| April 1 | Financial Reports due |
| April 6 | Deadline for Western States Affiliate Innovative Science Award |
| April 17 - June 6 | Abstract submission deadline for AHA Scientific Sessions |
| April 18-20 | ATVB Scientific Sessions, Chicago |
| May 9-11 | QCOR Scientific Sessions, Atlanta |
| Late-May to Mid-June | Award Notifications |
| June 30 | Scientific Reports due |
| July 23-26 | BCVS Scientific Sessions, New Orleans |
| September 19-22 | HBPR Scientific Sessions, San Francisco |
| November 3-7 | AHA Scientific Sessions, Los Angeles |
