New international research challenge to tackle critical knowledge gaps in women’s cardiovascular health

Published: 26 September 2024

This first network grant from the Global Cardiovascular Research Funders Forum will support transformative research up to a value of US $10 million.

The Heart Foundation, alongside 11 leading cardiovascular research funders around the world, is inviting researchers to compete in a new research challenge that aims to transform the landscape of women’s cardiovascular health.

Taking strides to better understand and improve women’s cardiovascular health around the world, the International Research Challenge on Women’s Cardiovascular Health will fund a world-class international research program for up to US $10 million over five years.

The grant will be awarded by the Global Cardiovascular Research Funders Forum (GCRFF) – an international alliance of 12 major funders of cardiovascular research across the world – to  address areas of unmet clinical need within women’s cardiovascular health. This is the first significant joint investment from the GCRFF to support research on the international stage. 

Through funding a network of the brightest minds and the best science, the challenge represents an opportunity for international, multi-disciplinary and multi-institution collaboration. Combining global expertise, the winning network’s research program will aim to deliver real-world impact in women’s cardiovascular health that would not otherwise be possible.

The International Research Challenge will invite proposals focused on advancing women’s cardiovascular health in areas that are under-researched and/or require greater understanding. Proposals that address three specific area gaps are also encouraged:

• Risk factors and prevention of cardiovascular disease across women’s life stages
• Clinical diagnosis and treatment of conditions more prevalent, or with worse outcomes among women
• Sex-specific underlying mechanisms of cardiovascular disease in women

The successful research program must demonstrate a clear path to impacting and improving patient outcomes, and research outcomes must be applicable to GCRFF member countries and have the potential for wider global application.
Letters of intent (LOI) are due by January 15, 2025. 

To find out more and apply, visit here

Dr David Tancredi, current Chair of the GCRFF Board and President of the Leducq Foundation, said: 

“That all 12 members of the GCRFF have come together to support a common project in women’s cardiovascular health - the consortium’s first large-scale research project - sends a powerful message: this area is important, it deserves more attention, and we as funders are committed to doing something about it.”

Dr Christine Faubert, current Chair of the GCRFF Women’s Cardiovascular Health Research Initiative and Vice President of Health Equity & Mission Impact at Heart & Stroke (Canada), said:

“We are thrilled to support transformational international research into women’s cardiovascular health, as cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death for women globally, and significant gaps remain in research, diagnosis and care for women. By bringing together leading experts from around the world, the program will drive global impact that no single country or continent could achieve on its own.”

Dr Gerry Devlin, Medical Director of the Heart Foundation said:

“Women have traditionally been neglected in medical research, and conditions that affect women are understudied. We are really excited to be part of this significant project that will potentially have a major impact on women’s cardiovascular health in New Zealand, and globally.”