Vital funds for heart research

From AI and smart tech to fast-track treatments, we’ve awarded $6.1 million for groundbreaking heart research.

 

2026 grants

Impact of previous research

See the impact of previous heart research and training we’ve funded that’s driving change.

 

Research impact

Funding applications

We are New Zealand's leading independent funder of heart research.

 

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Hear more about this year’s research funding

Smartphone tool aims to detect heart disease earlier 

New research is exploring whether a simple smartphone video of a person’s neck could help identify serious heart conditions earlier, helping people get assessed sooner and potentially reducing long waits for heart scans.

 

Read about Prashanna's research

Watch video

Dr Prashanna Khwaounjoo presenting smartphone neck-vessel imaging technology designed to help detect heart disease earlier.
Dr Debbie Zhao reviewing cardiac ultrasound images on an echocardiography monitor.

New AI tool could detect heart disease earlier

Dr Debbie Zhao is investigating whether AI could help detect heart disease earlier, reduce waiting times for heart scans and give doctors a clearer picture of heart health.

 

Read about Debbie's research

Laying the groundwork for a ‘pacemaker in a pill’

Researcher Xin Shen is investigating how a key sensor in heart cells could one day deliver the benefits of a pacemaker through a pill, opening up a potential new treatment approach for heart failure.

 

Read about Xin's research

Dr Xin Shen analysing heart cells in a University of Auckland laboratory as part of research into a medicine-based pacemaker alternative.
Dr Sergej Cicovic in a cardiac catheterisation laboratory where emergency procedures are performed to treat major heart attacks.

Could treating heart attacks in the ambulance save lives?

A nationwide trial will test whether giving a blood-thinning medicine in ambulances, rather than waiting until hospital, can improve survival and recovery for people experiencing a major heart attack.

 

Read about Sergej's research

New clues to high blood pressure after aortic dissection

New research is investigating why many aortic dissection survivors have dangerously high blood pressure despite treatment, and whether an overactive fight-or-flight response is driving their risk of future life-threatening events.

 

Read about Ryan's research

Dr Ryan Sixtus beside laboratory equipment used to investigate nerve activity and high blood pressure after aortic dissection.
Dr Charlotte Greer standing beside a photon-counting CT scanner used for advanced heart imaging research in Christchurch.

Midlife milestone in landmark study

Researchers are scanning the hearts of 50-year-olds in a world-renowned study to establish what heart health looks like in midlife, identify early abnormalities and pinpoint markers that may predict future heart disease.

 

Read about Charlotte's research

Cardiologists to learn life-saving procedures overseas

Two early-career cardiologists are heading overseas with Heart Foundation support to develop expertise in less invasive valve treatment and advanced heart imaging, helping improve care for people with heart disease in New Zealand.

 

Read about Tim and Amy's research

Dr Tim Oh in a cardiac catheterisation lab during overseas fellowship training in less invasive heart procedures
Dr Rahul Gandhi using cardiac ultrasound equipment to review detailed images of the heart.

Overseas training to bring life-saving heart care back home

A key to improving heart healthcare in New Zealand is giving aspiring heart specialists opportunities to train at world-class hospitals. Dr Rahul Gandhi is heading to Mount Sinai in New York thanks to Heart Foundation funding.

 

Read about Rahul's research

New Heart Foundation grant funds research across workforce

A new grant is investing in research undertaken by nurses and allied healthcare professionals. This year it’s supporting research to improve cardiac device care and to prevent heart disease in Pacific women.

 

Read about Folole and Amanda's research

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Impact of previous research

Past research grant recipients

About the grants