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<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.autismspeaks.org/science-news/request-applications-2026-aha-predoctoral-and-postdoctoral-fellowships">Autistic Scientist Predoctoral Fellowship</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.heart.org/en/">American Heart Association</a> (AHA) and
<a href="https://www.autismspeaks.org/">Autism Speaks</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The primary purpose of the predoctoral fellowship is to enhance the integrated research and clinical training of promising students who are matriculated in pre-doctoral or clinical health professional degree training programs and who intend
careers as scientists, physician-scientists or other clinical health science.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The American Heart Association (AHA), in partnership with Autism Speaks, is announcing our
<b>2026 Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships</b>. This joint initiative supports research at the intersection of autism, cardiovascular health and brain health. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>The 2026 AHA Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships include a $40,000/year award (or $80,000/2 years) for predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers whose work can help close critical knowledge gaps and improve health equity for autistic
people.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>2026 Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These fellowships are part of a research program to address the growing body of evidence that autistic people face increased risks for
<a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2800779">cardiometabolic</a> and
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31601611/">cerebrovascular</a> conditions. Recent studies show that people with autism are significantly more likely to experience heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes, yet major gaps remain in both research
and care. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Autistic people face higher risks for conditions like heart disease and stroke—but we still don’t fully understand why,” said Andy Shih, Ph.D., chief science officer at Autism Speaks. “This research is essential not just to fill knowledge
gaps, but to ensure that these individuals receive the same high-quality care as everyone else.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Anticipated grant timeline<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><b>Applications open:</b> July 1, 2025<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><b>Submission deadline:</b> Early September 2025<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><b>Award notification:</b> December 2025<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><b>Award start date:</b> January 1, 2026<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Eligibility criteria<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>For Predoctoral Fellowship<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>At the</b><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span></b><b><i>time of application</i></b><b>, the applicant must be:</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l3 level1 lfo2">enrolled in a post-baccalaureate PhD, MD, DO, DVM, PharmD, DDS, DrPH or PhD in nursing, public health or equivalent clinical health science degree.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l3 level1 lfo2">a full-time student working towards his/her degree.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l3 level1 lfo2">At the<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span><i>time of award activation</i>, the candidate must have completed initial coursework and be at the stage of the program where they can devote full-time
effort to research or activities related to the development into an independent researcher or a related career aimed at improving global cardiovascular health.<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://professional.heart.org/en/research-programs/aha-funding-opportunities/predoctoral-fellowship"><b>View the Predoctoral Fellowship RFA</b></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>For Postdoctoral Fellowship<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>At the <i>time of award activation</i>, the applicant:</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">must hold a post-baccalaureate PhD<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span>degree or equivalent, or a doctoral-level clinical degree such as MD, DO, DVM, PharMD, DDS, DPh,<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span>or
PhD<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span>in nursing, public health or other clinical health science.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">may not be pursuing a doctoral degree.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">may have no more than five years of research training or experience since obtaining a post-baccalaureate doctoral-level degree (excluding clinical training).<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">The awardee will be expected to devote at least 80% of full-time work either to research or to activities pursuant to independent research.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">This award is not intended for individuals of faculty rank.<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://professional.heart.org/en/research-programs/aha-funding-opportunities/postdoctoral-fellowship"><b>View the Postdoctoral Fellowship RFA</b></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>CONTACT<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">AHA at apply@heart.org<o:p></o:p></p>
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