The American Heart Association, through its American Heart Association Ventures' Studio Red, announced on September 22, 2026, the recipients of the Redefining Women’s Health: From Heart to Head to Hormones translational research grant awards. Each of the five winning projects will receive $100,000 over a one-year period to accelerate discoveries toward real-world application. The grants address critical gaps in women's health, where conditions are often underdiagnosed, undertreated, and underfunded.
The announcement comes amid growing recognition of disparities in cardiovascular research and care. According to a report published by the American Heart Association and the McKinsey Health Institute, women continue to face significant gaps in research, diagnosis, and treatment despite decades of progress. The Call to Action for Cardiovascular Disease in Women: Epidemiology, Awareness, Access, and Delivery of Equitable Health Care: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association | Circulation underscores the need for equitable healthcare solutions. These grants aim to address those gaps by supporting high-potential, translational research projects.
The funded projects span several priority areas, including ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA), autoimmune disease, and heavy menstrual bleeding. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center will develop a non-invasive MRI technique to detect microvascular dysfunction in women. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is creating a blood test for earlier autoimmune disease diagnosis. The University of California, Los Angeles, is using artificial intelligence to predict INOCA and coronary microvascular dysfunction. The University of Maryland, Baltimore, is building an AI tool to improve diagnosis and treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding. The University of Pittsburgh is testing an ultrasound-based therapy to improve blood flow in the heart's smallest vessels.
"Too often, conditions that uniquely or disproportionately affect women are overlooked or misunderstood in clinical care," said Annabelle Volgman, M.D., chair of the peer review committee. "The projects we selected to fund stood out based on scientific rigor and the potential to translate into meaningful improvements in diagnosis, treatment and outcomes for women."
Mariell Jessup, M.D., chief science and medical officer of the American Heart Association, noted that many heart, brain, and related conditions that impact women remain underfunded. "Through this grant program, the American Heart Association is investing to advance groundbreaking research and novel solutions that will close critical gaps in health for women," she said.
During the award period, Studio Red will provide grantees with support on intellectual property, regulatory, reimbursement, and commercialization strategies. At the end of the year, one to two awardees may be selected for company incubation in Studio Red, with the goal of creating one company ready for follow-on funding. This initiative reflects the American Heart Association's broader mission to advance health for everyone, everywhere, as detailed on heart.org and heart.org/ventures.
For readers, this news signals a potential shift in how women's health conditions are diagnosed and treated. The focus on translational research means these projects are designed to move quickly from the lab to clinical practice, potentially leading to new diagnostic tools and therapies within years. The integration of artificial intelligence and novel imaging techniques could make detection of hidden heart conditions more accessible and less invasive. Additionally, the emphasis on autoimmune diseases and menstrual bleeding highlights a broader commitment to addressing conditions that have historically received less attention. As these projects progress, they may set a precedent for future funding and research priorities, ultimately improving outcomes for women worldwide.
For more information on women's health, visit American Heart Association News brings you the latest information women's health and stroke.org.
