William A. Zoghbi Global Research Initiative

The William A. Zoghbi Global Research Initiative supported by Dr. William A. Zoghbi, Bayer, Dr. Wael Al Mahmeed, and friends of Jamal S. Rana aims to provide a springboard for innovative new research that holds potential to improve the care and outcomes of patients at risk or living with cardiovascular disease.

Description and Research Focus

Seven awards in the amount of $25,000/award will be given to support one year of research across the spectrum of cardiovascular care. The year of research will begin July 1, 2026, and runs through June 30, 2027. Two awards will be focusing on heart failure, and two awards will be focusing on cardiometabolic health. The remaining three awards can focus on any area of cardiovascular care and research.

Proposals addressing innovative new pathways for preventing and treating cardiovascular disease in specific communities and/or patient populations are encouraged. Outcomes studies should focus on clinical/and or systems of care interventions (e.g., quality improvement), and use outcomes measures of importance to both patients and society, including mortality, morbidity, quality of life changes, or economic effects. Proposals that focus on gender, race, geographic, and economic inequalities in cardiovascular care will also be considered.

Eligibility Criteria & Selection

These awards are open to all cardiovascular clinical investigators living outside the United States – with preference given to those residing in low- to middle-income countries – who are ACC International Fellows and ACC International Associates, or individuals who have passed the ACC's Certified Cardiovascular Knowledge Examination (CCKE). Preference will be given to individuals who have between 5 -10 years of experience in clinical research post training.

Judging will be by the ACCF/Research Fellowship Awards Committee. Criteria for selection will include:

• Scientific quality of the project
• Relevance to the research focus as previously described
• Qualifications and commitment of the applicant
• The quality of the academic environment
• Projected Career Objectives/Goals

If selected, eligibility to receive the award is dependent on active ACC membership. To join, visit ACC.org/Join.

The Award

There will be seven awards given in the amount of $25,000/award. The award duration is one year, beginning July 1, 2025, and ending on June 30, 2026.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit all application documents by July 14, 2025.

Please review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document before applying.

Documents Required

• Completed Application
• Research Proposal (5 page maximum)
• Current Curriculum Vitae
• Two Letters of Recommendation (from mentor, FACC, cardiology department head, etc.)
• List of current research funding/Awards detailing the following information:
  • Funding agency
  • Amount
  • Dates of funding
• Copy of Form of ID (for residency verification)

All documents must be submitted in English or must be accompanied by an official translation. Applicants assume all costs associated with authenticating, retrieving and submitting documents and material in support of their application. The ACC does not charge an application fee.

For questions, please contact globalawards@acc.org.