PHA Supports PH Research With Over $15 Million In Grants

The Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA), the US’s leading fundraising and advocacy group for funding scientific research to discover new ways to prevent and cure pulmonary hypertension (PH), will celebrate its 25th Anniversary in 2016. In celebration of that milestone and to continue the fight against the disease, the PHA has announced that it is seeking applicants for its 2015 research awards, marking 20 years of fueling PH research, with support exceeding $15 million.

Thanks to PHA research grants, over 70 researchers have been supported in 8 different research focus areas. The PHA explains that the generous support comes primarily from PH patients and caregivers, as well as other collaborations with highly distinguished associations such as the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI); Foundation of the American Thoracic Society (ATS); American Heart Association (AHA); and Pfizer.

PH is a debilitating disease in which the lungs present with high blood pressure that damages the heart, potentially leading to heart failure and death. When untreated, the average survival rate is 2.8 years from the onset of diagnosis.

“The PHA Research Committee has finalized what we believe is a comprehensive 2015 portfolio. The new grants will continue to advance PH research from the early exploratory stages to career development, transitioning new faculty-level investigators to established, independent investigators,” said the PHA’s Research Committee chair Todd Bull, MD from the University of Colorado Denver.

The opportunities for 2015 that the PHA is now offering to applicants include the PHA/ATS Research Fellowship in PAH to foster the transition of new researchers into serving as established investigators. The grant consists of a 2-year award of $80,000 and the deadline for applications is June 5, 2015.

The Robyn Barst Pediatric PH Research and Mentoring Award is designed to promote research in the field of pediatric PH. The award consists of 3 one-year $50,000 grants by The Joel Belt Pediatric PH Research & Mentoring Grant, Cordelia’s Pediatric PH Research & Mentoring Grant and The Matthew and Michael Wojciechowski Pediatric PH Research & Mentoring Grant. The deadline for applications is June 5, 2015.

The Proof of Concept Award supports new projects that are in the early phases of development and show promise in achieving advances in the scientific understanding of the disease. Applications for the $40,000 award must be submitted by June 5, 2015.

Finally, the NHLBI K08/K23 Supplemental Award also supports research for PH, offering supplemental funding to an individual who receives an NHLBI Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award (K08) or a Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23) for research on PH. It consists of one five-year, $312,500 award, and the application deadline is July 12, 2015.

For further information access PHAssociation.org.