NEW: ISHLT/PHA Research Grant in Pulmonary Hypertension Transplantation: Advancing Patient-Centered Outcomes and Access to Care

Grant Deadline: 19 January at 11:59 p.m. ET / 20 January at 3:59 UTC

ISHLT
Logo for Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA)

Purpose

The purpose of this grant is to support research that addresses critical gaps in clinical knowledge and improve outcomes for patients across the full spectrum of PH, including Groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 as well as Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH), pediatric populations, PH due to heart and lung diseases, and adults with congenital heart disease.

The grant will support innovative, patient-centered clinical research in pulmonary hypertension (PH) with relevance to transplantation and advanced therapeutic strategies. This funding opportunity is intended to address critical gaps in clinical care and improve outcomes across the continuum of PH.

Proposed studies should align with one or more of the following priorities:

  • Evaluation of patient-centered outcomes which may include but extend beyond survival, including quality of life and patient-reported outcomes
  • Development and assessment of innovative patient monitoring approaches (i.e., digital health tools, remote monitoring, imaging or related technologies)
  • Identification of strategies to reduce barriers to accessing specialized PH care
  • Lung transplantation or heart/lung transplant and advanced PH care

Grant Details

One grant of up to $100,000 USD will be awarded for two years. The grant is open to investigators across all career stages and disciplines, including physician, scientists, nurses and allied health professionals.

Eligibility Criteria
Academic Appointment and Institutional Resources:
  1. The applicant must either have an academic appointment or clinical appointment or may be in training at an accredited institution.
  2. A letter of institutional commitment from a division or department chair at the institution at which the research will be conducted must be provided.
ISHLT or PHA Membership
  1. i. The applicant must be an active member of ISHLT or PHA, or have submitted a completed membership application by 19 January 2027.
Previous ISHLT Funding/Funding from Other Sources
  1. There are no restrictions on past or current funding.
    • The applicant may be a past or current recipient of an ISHLT or PHA research grant.
    • The applicant may currently hold career development grants, mentoring grants, or other independent research grants.
  2. If the applicant is currently receiving funding for a project similar to the topics described in this request for applications, the applicant must explain how the funds of the grant would not overlap with the funds of the other research support.
Funding Stipulations

Please review these guidelines and terms prior to completing your application. If you are ultimately awarded a grant, you will sign a letter of agreement (LOA) stating that you agree to these funding guidelines and terms, and the LOA will be co-signed by your institution’s grants/research office.

  1. Research is anticipated to begin between 30 June and 31 December 2027.
  2. Funding in the amount of $100,000 will be provided for the research project.
  3. Funding will not be released until visa status is confirmed (if applicable).
  4. The grant is intended to provide salary support for the researcher, other study personnel, statistical support, supplies/materials, animals, core facilities, publication costs and travel related costs for abstract presentation. Up to 10 percent of the grant can be used for institutional overhead. No other costs are permitted.
  5. The grant will be paid in multiple installments to the recipient’s institution. First installment (50% of funds) will be paid at the beginning of grant work; the second installment (25%) will be paid mid-award (after receipt of a grant progress report) and the final installment (25%) will be paid after receipt of a final report.
  6. Grant funding is generally not transferable from one recipient to another; transfer may be considered under compelling circumstances (e.g., the grantee leaves the institution and does not request a transfer of the grant, or the grantee requires extended medical leave).
  7. If the grantee relocates and requests to move the grant to the new institution, the ISHLT Grants Committee and PHA SLC Research Committee will determine whether the grant can be transferred to the recipient’s new location, or if the grant must be surrendered and any remaining funds returned. If the grant is surrendered, a final report will still be required.
  8. If the grantee relocates and does not request a transfer of the grant to the new institution, the current institution (i.e., department chair or division chair and Office of Sponsored Research) may select a new PI. The ISHLT Grants Committee and the PHA SLC Research Committee will determine if the grant can be continued at the current institution.
  9. The applicant must acknowledge the grant as a funding source in all manuscripts and presentations derived from the funded research using the following statement: “This work was supported by a grant from the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation and the Pulmonary Hypertension Association.” Copies of such publications must be submitted to ISHLT.
  10. The Grantee is also encouraged to submit an abstract based on the funded research for presentation at an ISHLT Annual Meeting.
  11. Pursuant to regulations of the federal Physician Payment Sunshine Act (included in the Affordable Care Act), NPI numbers will be collected from grant recipients (if applicable), and tax ID numbers collected from the recipients’ institutions (if applicable). All payments will be reported to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Open Payments system, as payments from ISHLT represent indirect transfers of value from the funding pharmaceutical company.
  12. Reports are required at the following intervals depending on the term of the grant, and continuation of funding is contingent upon completion of these reports:
    1. Mid-award progress report due one year after research start date.
    2. Final report within 30 days of the conclusion of the grant term.
      1. A final report is required even if the grant is surrendered for any reason prior to the conclusion of the grant term.
Review Process & Notification
  1. Selection of the grant recipient will be made by an expert review committee with representatives from both ISHLT and PHA. In case of a very close or tie score, the ISHLT Grants Committee and the PHA SLC Research Committee will make the final decision. Consultation by expert reviewer(s) may be requested.
  2. Grants will be scored on the basis of study aims, significance, innovation, research approach, feasibility of obtaining relevant data, and prior work.
  3. All applicants will be notified as to whether or not they have been selected to receive the research grant by 15 March 2027.