Undergraduate Scholars Program
The Undergraduate Scholars Program is a competitive 16-week national program for students who are interested in advancing careers in science, medicine and research.
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be enrolled full-time at the same institution during the fall and spring in the same academic year
- Be an undergraduate sophomore, junior or senior at a four-year institution or a second-year student at a community college
- Be pursuing a science-related field
- Have a science GPA of 3.2 or higher
- Be able to demonstrate commitment to community service, reflecting dedication to improving health outcomes.
The program is designed for students who are committed to academic growth, research and professional development. Please note that this program cannot be used for academic credit.
Applicants must submit:
- An online application
- A 500-word essay describing your interests, goals and why you are applying
- One letter of recommendation
Letter of recommendation requirements
Letters must be:
- Written by a faculty member, pre-med/health advisor or advising committee from their school where they are currently enrolled
- On official institutional letterhead
- Dated and signed
- Submitted directly by the recommender
Applications open: June 15, 2026
Applications close: July 17, 2026
What happens next?
June–August 2026:
Applications are reviewed and scholars are selected.
September 2026:
Scholars are announced.
Mentor matching begins and research activities start.
Scholars participate in several program experiences, including:
- Mentored research (September 2026–March 2027): In-person and virtual opportunities are available.
- Professional development workshops (October 2026–April 2027): Typically one session per month.
- Participation in a scientific conference (Must be able to attend Scientific Sessions on November 6-8, 2026 in Chicago. All travel expenses will be covered by the program.)
- Research poster presentation at the American Heart Association Scholars Research Symposium held during Spring 2027.
- Participation in a scientific conference
American Heart Association Scholars receive:
- A $3,000 stipend to support participation in the program
- One-on-one mentorship with an experienced researcher and Heart Association staff
- Hands-on research experience that strengthens academic and career preparation
- Professional development workshops
Scholars also develop skills in:
- Critical thinking and research analysis
- Scientific communication and presentation
- Professional leadership and collaboration
Participants join a national network of:
- Health and research professionals
- Faculty mentors
- Scholars across the United States
Scholars present their work at the American Heart Association Scholars Research Symposium, highlighting their research and professional growth.
The program covers travel expenses for required program activities, including scientific conferences and the Scholars Research Symposium.
If you have any questions, please feel free to send us an email.
Scholars Research Symposium
In April, we celebrated 10 years of the Scholars program honoring student leaders at the American Heart Association Scholars Research Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia. Undergraduate scholars attended workshops, presented research and received white coats and medallions as part of the event.
American Heart Association Scholars Undergraduate Class of 2026-27
Alabama
Birmingham
- Jakayla Byrd – sophomore biology major, Lawson State Community College
- Mckensie Fenil – sophomore biology major, Lawson State Community College
- Aniya Erskine – junior biology major, Miles College
- Kyndal Duff – senior biology major, Miles College
- Madison McGowan – senior biology major, Miles College
Tuscaloosa
- Franklin Boykin – sophomore general studies major, Shelton State Community College
- Brianna Moore – senior biology major, Stillman College
- Jerimee Moore – junior psychology major, Stillman College
Tuskegee
- Akaylin Echols – senior biology major, Tuskegee University
- JoLissa Davis-McCrea – junior nursing major, Tuskegee University
- Lauryn Bone – senior public health major, Tuskegee University
- Robert Guice – senior biology major, Tuskegee University
District of Columbia
Washington
- Zoe McClendon – junior biology major, Howard University
- Deo Campbell – sophomore biology major, Howard University
Florida
Miami
- Mauricio Urdaneta – junior biology major, Florida International University
- Zehraa Sibahi – senior biological sciences major, Florida International University
- Liu Arbolaez – sophomore biology major, Miami Dade College (Padron)
- Grace Love – junior biopharmaceutical sciences major, Miami Dade College (Padron)
Tallahassee
- Bliss Quant – senior biology pre-med major, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
- Nevaeh-Ann Neal – junior biology pre-med major, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Georgia
Atlanta
- Zion Veal – senior biology major, Clark Atlanta University
- Andre’ Taylor – sophomore biology major, Clark Atlanta University
- Corey Bowdre – junior biology major, Morehouse College
- Kamoiye Peacock – junior biology major, Morehouse College
- Madisen Humphrey – junior health science major, Spelman College
- MaKyra Wilson – senior biology major, Spelman College
Augusta
- Jarrod Lockhart – senior biology major, Paine College
- Jayla Lockhart – sophomore biology major, Paine College
Louisiana
Baton Rouge
- Devin Monroe – sophomore biology major, Southern University and A&M College
- Nyla Jasmin – junior speech language pathology major, Southern University and A&M College
New Orleans
- Nadia Franklin – junior biology major, Dillard University
- Kiayla Washington – senior biology major, Dillard University
- Madison Ealy – junior biology pre-med major, Xavier University
- Justis Hill – junior public health sciences major, Xavier University
Mississippi
Jackson
- Giana Hinton – sophomore biology pre-med major, Jackson State University
- Madison Arnold – junior health care administration major, Jackson State University
- Kendallyn White – senior English major/psychology minor, Tougaloo College
- Kyron McGee – sophomore biology pre-med major, Tougaloo College
North Carolina
Greensboro
- Faith Gillerson – senior kinesiology major, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
- Kennedy Royal – senior biology major, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Winston-Salem
- Noah Torain – senior nursing/biology major, Winston-Salem State University
- Malaysia Washington – junior nursing major, Winston-Salem State University
Puerto Rico
San Juan
- Alejandra Garcia – junior nutrition sciences major, Inter-American University of Puerto Rico
- Diego Franco – senior biomedical sciences major, Inter-American University of Puerto Rico
South Carolina
Columbia
- Kadine Beckford – senior biology pre-med major, Benedict College
- Zariya Chandler – senior biology major, Benedict College
Tennessee
Memphis
- Zion Hall – senior sociology pre-med major, LeMoyne-Owen College
Nashville
- Oyinade Togun – senior biochemistry and molecular biology major, Fisk University
- Tobalase Oyewusi – junior biochemistry and molecular biology major, Fisk University
- Robert Warner – sophomore pre-med major, Nashville State Community College
- Ngoc Huynh – sophomore chemistry major, Nashville State Community College
- Madison Clayton – senior biology major, Tennessee State University
- Journey Thomas – sophomore biology major, Tennessee State University
Texas
Austin
- Adithi Aavula – sophomore public health major, University of Texas at Austin
- Kushaan Sharma – sophomore biomedical engineering major, University of Texas at Austin
Houston
- Yaretzi Gonzalez Chavez – junior public health major, University of Houston
- Ughogho Jegbefume – senior biology major, University of Houston
- Delwin Sunil – senior biology major, University of Houston Downtown
- Alizha Trevino – junior biology major, University of Houston Downtown
Supporting Undergraduate Research Experiences (S.U.R.E.) Scholars Program
The American Heart Association also supports the Supporting Undergraduate Research Experiences (S.U.R.E.) Program, an 8–10 week summer research program hosted by participating institutions.
Applications for S.U.R.E. programs are managed directly by the host institutions.