ACC Introduces New Award Focused on Cardiometabolic Health

A new ACC research award thanks to a generous contribution from Raghib Hussain, in honor of his longtime friend, Jamal S. Rana, MD, PhD, FACC, will provide financial support to international clinical researchers seeking to advance scientific understanding of cardiometabolic disease and transform care in their communities.

The Jamal S. Rana Cardiometabolic Health Global Research Award joins the broader William A. Zoghbi Global Research Initiative and is designed to serve as a springboard for innovative research, particularly for investigators in low- to middle-income countries where resources are limited. Two awardees will each receive $25,000 in grant funding for one year of research along with a travel grant to attend ACC.26 in New Orleans, LA.

"My past research showed that after decades of progress in decreasing deaths due to heart disease, we hit a wall – and more recently, the trend is even reversing," says Rana, the award's namesake, who serves as chair of medical specialties at Kaiser Permanente's Oakland Medical Center and has spent more than two decades in the field of cardiometabolic health. "ACC has always been my professional home, and I felt this was an opportunity to give back."

Hussain's gift is not only a philanthropic gesture but also a deeply personal tribute to his friendship with Rana and a way to honor both of their unwavering commitments to science and global health.

"I'm inspired by the opportunity this initiative presents," says Hussain. "It will provide crucial support to researchers working to advance scientific understanding in resource-limited settings and empower the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of global heart health."

The application period for the 2025 award is now closed, and the awardees will be announced later this year. The next opportunity to apply will open in Spring 2026. To learn more about the Global Research Initiative and future application cycles, visit ACC.org/Awards.

The William A. Zoghbi Global Research Initiative is made possible by the generosity of donors to the ACC Foundation. Interested in helping to grow these awards? Visit ACC.org/Support.