Independent Research Awards

The Children’s Heart Foundation's 2026 Request for Applications (RFA) for Independent Research Awards opened on April 10, 2026.

This award mechanism is used to fund the most promising research that will advance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of congenital heart defects. For further details about what constitutes mission-aligned research and a series of frequently asked questions (FAQs), please see the following webpage: Independent Grant FAQs.

2026 Process and Schedule

Researchers seeking funding for any RFA must submit an initial Letter of Intent (LOI). The LOIs for Independent Research Awards are due on May 20, 2026. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application no later than June 12, 2026. 

Award Amount

• Independent Research Awards
  • Up to $150,000 per year for two (2) years. 

All applicants for the Independent Research Awards must submit an LOI through our online application portal: https://proposalcentral.com/GrantOpportunities.asp?GMID=273

Key Dates

• April 10, 2026 – Call for Research Proposals opens
• May 20, 2026 – Letter of Intent due by 5:00 pm CDT
• June 12, 2026 – Applicants notified as to whether or not they may submit a full application
• September 9, 2026 – Full Application (invite only) due by 5:00 pm CDT
• December 14, 2026 – Applicants notified as to a decision regarding funding
• January 2027 – Funds released for awardees

Directions

LOIs should be single-spaced and formatted in 11-point font with 1-inch margins. All applicants will first submit an LOI that will be reviewed and scored by the Foundation’s Research Leadership Committee, which consists of selected members of our Medical Advisory Council and several lay members.

Applicants will be notified via email as to whether or not they are invited to submit a full application. For those invited to submit a full application, the due date will be September 9, 2026.

The LOI is limited to a maximum of two (2) pages (including references). Areas of research in congenital heart disease include clinical, translational, population, behavioral, bioengineering, biotechnology, or public health.

LOIs should be no more than two pages and must include:

1.     Identifiers

• Title of project
• Name, address, email, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator(s)*
• Names, titles, and institution of other key personnel – ex. mentors
• List of participating institution(s)

2.    Research Project

• Scientific summary, including key details, such as a brief background and rationale (i.e., what is known and what is unknown), primary aims, summary of methods and data sources.
• Indicate whether the project will be basic science, translational, or clinical (or some combination thereof).
• Anticipated impact and prospects for future funding sources.
• References

*The PI (only) should also submit his/her NIH bio-sketch (not counted in the 2-page LOI limit).

Need help or assistance using Proposal Central? Their help center information is below:

• 8:30am - 5:00pm Eastern Time (Monday through Friday)
• by phone (toll-free): 800 875 2562 (Toll-free U.S. and Canada) by or +1 703-964-5840 (Direct Dial International) 
• by email: pcsupport@altum.com