The Early Career Mentored Scientist Award provides $65,000 for one year to support PH-related research proposals that were favorably reviewed but not funded by the National Institutes of Health Early Career Award (K award). The grant offers bridge funding to help early-career investigators generate preliminary data needed to strengthen and resubmit their proposals. The letter of intent/application process for 2026 is closed, except for those invited to apply.

Grant amount: Up to $65,000.
Grant term: One year.

Application timetable

• Applications opened: Jan. 15
• Letters of intent due: Closed
• Full application due: Closed

Proposal requirements: Eligible proposals must have been reviewed within the past year by an NIH study section or similar review body. If submitted more than once, the most recent version must be included. The proposal must:

• Be PH-related.
• Have been submitted to NIH for an Early Career Award such as a K01, K08, K22, K23, KL2, K99/R00, Harold Amos Award, Parker B. Francis Award or the American Heart Association Career Development Award.
• Help advance PH research.

Eligibility

Applicants must be:

• U.S. citizens, permanent residents or non-residents working in a U.S.-based laboratory.
• Non-U.S. citizens must hold a visa that allows them to remain in the country for the duration of the grant.

Applicants may not receive other funding for the same project. If additional support is secured during the grant period, PHA may terminate funding or request adjustments to avoid overlap.

Award recipients must resubmit their proposal to the original funding agency within one year. Proof of resubmission must be included in the final scientific report to PHA.

The Pediatric PH Research Award supports pilot studies that address unmet needs or expand limited knowledge in pediatric pulmonary hypertension. This award is intended to provide foundational data for larger research efforts and future funding.

Grant amount: Up to $65,000.
Grant term: One year.
Application timeline

• Letters of intent opened: March 20
• Letters of intent due: Closed
• Full application due: Sept. 8 (invitation only)

How to apply

Submit a letter of intent before applying in the ProposalCentral application portal.

Proposal requirements: The award supports pilot studies that lay the groundwork for larger research efforts and future funding opportunities. Areas of focus include, but are not limited to:

• Developmental lung disease.
• Pulmonary vascular disease that leads to PH.
• Signaling pathways regulating pulmonary vascular remodeling in pediatric PAH.
• Classification, diagnosis and treatment of pediatric PH.
• Improved clinical trial designs and new endpoints or biomarkers.
• Pediatric PH quality improvement and care initiatives.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents or non-residents working at a U.S.-based institution.
• Non-citizens must provide evidence of employment at a qualified U.S. institution. Simultaneous submission of grants with scientific overlap is allowed, but awardees must notify PHA within one month of multiple fundings.
• Awards are based on individual and institutional merits.
• Awards are not transferable unless previously approved by PHA.
• Eligible applicants include researchers with doctoral-level clinical or research degrees (e.g., MD, DO, PharmD, PhD), including advanced practice providers and nurses with appropriate research training.
• Early- and mid-career investigators are encouraged to apply.

Additional details

PHA’s Scientific Leadership Council Research Committee will review all applications and make recommendations to the PHA Board of Trustees. Funding decisions are based on priority scores and committee recommendations.

The Health Access and Outcomes Research Award supports research that addresses health inequities in pulmonary hypertension, including early diagnosis, treatment outcomes, access to care and the impact of social determinants of health.

Grant amount: Up to $50,000 per year.
Grant term: Up to two years.

Application timetable

• Letters of intent open: April 23
• Letters of intent due: May 28 (5 p.m.)
• Full application due: July 31 (invitation only)

How to apply

Submit a letter of intent in ProposalCentral. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application.

Proposal requirements: Projects may be basic, translational or clinical studies that address disparities in adult or pediatric PH. Areas of focus include:

• Societal or economic factors impacting PH health.
• Variations in incidence, care and outcomes due to health disparities.
• Individual behavioral factors contributing to PH.
• Training and education gaps affecting workforce diversity.
• Inequities in access to care in the U.S. and globally.
• Use of PH registries and biorepositories to study social determinants of health.

Eligibility

• Applicants in the U.S. and internationally will be considered.
• Candidates must hold an advanced degree (PhD, MD, DO, PharmD or equivalent), or a doctoral-level clinical degree in public health, health sciences, nursing or allied health.
• Diverse research teams are encouraged. Simultaneous submissions with scientific overlap are allowed, but applicants must notify PHA within one month if multiple projects are funded.

Program questions: Email PHA.

The award supports innovative PH research that might not otherwise be explored without PHA funding. Projects may introduce new scientific or medical paradigms, challenge current thinking or explore problems from new perspectives. The letter of intent/application process for 2026 is closed, except for those invited to apply.

Grant amount: Up to $60,000 a year for two years ($120,000 total)
Grant term: Two years.

Proposal requirements: The PHA Innovation Research Award supports highly meritorious, innovative projects that could accelerate PH research. New projects may introduce a new scientific or medical paradigm, challenge a current paradigm, or examine an existing problem from a new perspective.

PHA is committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in PH research. Proposals that increase inclusivity, broaden understanding of PH and address health disparities in underrepresented PH patient populations are encouraged. Underrepresented populations include Black, Latino, Asian, Native American, LGBTQ+ individuals, lower socioeconomic groups and underserved geographical regions, including rural areas.

Proposals should reflect diversity, equity and inclusion in study design. PHA encourages diverse research teams that bring together and build on innovative ideas from different perspectives, experiences and backgrounds.

Eligibility

• U.S. citizens, permanent residents or non-residents working at a U.S.-based institution.
• Applicants who are not U.S. citizens but are based in the U.S. must provide proof of employment at a qualified U.S. institution.
• Simultaneous submission of grants with scientific overlap is allowed, but if multiple applications are funded, the applicant must notify the Pulmonary Hypertension Association within one month of formal notification of award. The Research Committee of PHA’s Scientific Leadership Council will assess the degree of overlap.
• In the case of significant scientific overlap, the applicant must choose between the PHA Innovation Research Award and the other grant. Budgetary overlaps are not allowed.
• A principal investigator can have only one PHA grant at a time.

Additional details

PHA’s Scientific Leadership Council Research Committee will review applications and make recommendations to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association Board of Trustees.

Award funding is based on the priority score awarded to each application and the SLC Research Committee’s recommendations.

PHA bases the award on individual and institutional merit. The award is not transferable to another person or institution unless previously approved by PHA.

The ATS-PHA Early Career Award aims to foster development of junior investigators with the potential to make strong, sustained contributions to pulmonary hypertension research. The grant will cover salaries and supplies for the research project.

Grant amount: $50,000
Grant term: One year

Timetable
Applications due: July 1
Grant awarded: September
Onboarding: October-November
Grant to begin: January 2027

How to apply

Submit applications by July 1 in the ATS application portal. No letters of intent are necessary.

Visit the ATS website for eligibility criteria.

Researchers may now submit letters of intent to apply for the PFF-PHA ILD-PH Joint Research Award. This grant supports research focused on PH related to interstitial lung disease. The award, a partnership between the Pulmonary Hypertension Association and the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, aims to advance scientific understanding of ILD-associated PH and improve patient outcomes.

Grant amount: $100,000

Grant term: Two years

Timetable
Letters of intent due: 4:59 p.m. ET, May 29

Details about the full application process will be shared with selected applicants after the LOI review.

How to apply

Submit letters of intent through ProposalCentral.

For questions about the grant, contact:

Contact

Zoë D. Bubany, MBA
VP of Board and External Relations
Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation
(520) 907-2582 (direct)

Shanetta Williams, MBA
Quality Care & Research
Pulmonary Hypertension Association
(240) 485-3802 (direct)