Ralph L. Sacco Scholars Program Grant

Ralph L. Sacco Scholars Program Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: American Heart Association
Amount: Approximately US $150,000
Last Updated: December 20, 2025

Summary

The Ralph L. Sacco Scholars Program in Brain Health offers early career researchers a two-year mentored opportunity to advance brain health through innovative projects. Funded by the American Academy of Neurology and the American Heart Association, this program targets prevention strategies across the lifespan. Eligible candidates include MD or PhD holders in postdoctoral training, emphasizing diversity and health equity. The scholarship not only supports research but also nurtures the next generation of leaders in brain health.

Overview

Background We are delighted to announce the second offering of The Ralph L. Sacco Scholars Program in Brain Health (“The Sacco Scholars”), a transformative career development opportunity jointly funded by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA). Dr. Sacco was the leader of the Division of Cerebrovascular Disease at Columbia University and subsequently chaired the Department of Neurology at the University of Miami; he served as President of both the American Heart Association and the American Academy of Neurology. This prestigious scholarship honors his legacy by empowering the next generation of researchers and practitioners, with a specific focus this cycle on the prevention of brain diseases and advancement of brain health across the lifespan for all. The focus areas may change from year to year, depending on the evolving needs and priorities within the rapidly growing field of brain health. The Sacco Scholars Program offers a unique opportunity for early career trainees to undertake a mentored two-year research project targeting various aspects of brain health. The scholarship program is designed to encompass various training career stages each year, ensuring inclusivity and fostering diverse perspectives. In the current call for proposals, we welcome submissions from MD or PhD (or equivalent doctoral degree) applicants who are (or will be) in postdoctoral fellowship training with a focus on brain health beginning July 1. We invite eligible candidates to submit their proposals for The Ralph L. Sacco Scholars in Brain Health. This scholarship represents a remarkable opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research, promote brain health, and shape the future of this vital and rapidly developing field. We eagerly anticipate receiving your proposals and witnessing the profound impact of your work on advancing brain health. Purpose To enhance the training of postdoctoral trainees who are not yet independent. To ensure success, the applicant must have access to the institutional environment, support, and relevant scientific guidance of a primary research mentor appropriate for the level of trainee’s career development. Recognizing the unique challenges that clinicians, in particular, experience in balancing research and clinical activity, this award mechanism aims to be as flexible as possible to enable applicants to develop academic careers in research alongside fulfilling clinical service commitments. Eligible Projects Projects eligible for this cycle of funding should focus on prevention. The program's scope of brain health emphasizes preventive approaches across the lifespan and encompasses a wide range of areas, including: healthy brain development and aging; attaining and maintaining optimal cognitive function and mental well-being; cognitive aging, decline, and dementia; and primordial, primary and secondary prevention of neurological and mental health disorders. Scientific domains eligible for funding include translational, clinical and population sciences. The following areas are examples of areas of interest: epidemiology, health services research, community awareness and education, psychiatry, mental health and well-being, pediatrics, and adverse childhood experiences. Projects may apply to any age of the lifespan, from fetal/childhood development to adulthood and late life. Funding Annual Stipend$65,000 per year for two yearsA portion of the stipend may be used to cover some of the cost of health insurance.Project Support$10,000 per year, in addition to the stipendNo limit on any line item (computer, equipment, lab supplies, travel, etc.)Travel SupportIn addition to the salary stipend and project support, each Sacco Scholar will receive reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses for attendance at AHA’s International Stroke Conference (February) and the AAN Annual Meeting (April). This reimbursement will be paid to the institution following attendance by the Sacco Scholar.

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. At the time of award activation, the applicant must hold a post-baccalaureate PhD degree or equivalent, or a doctoral-level clinical degree such as MD, DO, DVM, PharmD, DDS, DrPH, or PhD in nursing, public health or other clinical health science.At the time of award activation, the applicant may have had no more than five years of research training or experience since obtaining a post-baccalaureate doctoral-level degree (excluding clinical training).The awardee will be expected to devote at least 80 percent of full-time work either to research or to activities pursuant to independent research (instead of administrative or clinical duties that are not an integral part of the research training program, or teaching responsibilities).Except for US citizens and permanent residents, awardees must maintain an accepted visa throughout the duration of the award.There is a maximum of two years of Sacco Scholarship support per individual.An applicant may submit only one Sacco Scholars application per deadline.Sponsor/MentorIt is imperative that the scholar receive counsel and direction from a dedicated primary mentor who is an established investigator (as outlined in the peer review criteria for the mentor/training plan) invested in the progress of the project and their mentee’s overall career development. You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member. Applicants must be AHA Professional Members or members of the American Academy of Neurology at the time of application. Join or begin the membership process well before the deadline.

Ineligibility

This award is not intended for individuals of faculty rank.Exceptions:MD or MD/PhD with clinical responsibilities who needs instructor or similar title to see patients, but who will devote at least 80% full-time to research training.RN/PhD with a clinical appointment. The awardee will be expected to devote his/her time to research, or activities directly related to development into an independent researcher.No indirect costs are paid on the scholarships.RestrictionsThe Sacco Scholars program allows supplementation from other sources to meet the sponsoring institution’s stipend and benefit levels; however, the awardee may not hold a comparable award (such as an NIH K award or other career development award) as a source of supplementation.The awardee must resign the award if promoted to a full-time faculty position prior to completion of the first year of the program. The awardee may hold this award in its second year if promoted to a full-time faculty position after completion of the first year; the awardee must still devote 80% of effort to research activities during that second year of the award. A postdoctoral fellow may not hold another comparable award concurrently.However, the awardee may apply for a subsequent award during the last year of the project and must resign the postdoctoral scholarship if another award is activated during the Sacco Scholarship period.