Quality Improvement Research Frequently Asked Questions
1. What research opportunities are available through AHA's Quality Programs?
The AHA offers opportunities to conduct investigator-led research using data from its Get With The Guidelines® (GWTG) modules: AFib, Coronary Artery Disease, Heart Failure, Resuscitation, and Stroke as well as novel registries such as the Cardiogenic Shock Registry and Target: Aortic Stenosis. Researchers can participate in national-level, hospital-level, or international research.
2. What is the difference between National-Level, Hospital-Level, and International-Level research?
- National-Level Research uses deidentified data aggregated across U.S. hospitals. It requires proposal submission via Proposal Central and is used to support AHA guidelines.
- Hospital-Level Research uses data from one or more hospitals for local quality improvement and requires hospital permissions for multi-site projects.
- International Research utilizes data collected from AHA's international registries and requires a due diligence review.
Any qualified investigator, including Early Career Investigators (within five years of training), can submit proposals. International investigators are also eligible but must complete an International Due Diligence Questionnaire (IDDQ).
4. Where and how do I submit a proposal?
Proposals must be submitted through Proposal Central using the designated AHA Research Proposal Form. Each module has specific submission guidelines and deadlines.
5. How many active proposals can I have?
An investigator may have up to two active projects at a time across all AHA modules. Manuscripts under journal review are not considered active.
6. What happens after my proposal is accepted?
Accepted proposals are assigned a project mentor and moved into the development phase. You must sign a Non-Disclosure/Data Use Agreement (NDA/DUA) and collaborate with AHA or an approved analytics provider to generate your Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP).
7. Can I perform my own data analysis?
Yes, provided you meet AHA data security standards. You can analyze data on the AHA's Precision Medicine Platform (PMP), through your institution (if eligible), or by contracting with AHA's Data Science Team.
8. What is the Precision Medicine Platform (PMP)?
The PMP is AHA's cloud-based, HIPAA- and FedRAMP-compliant environment used for secure data analysis. Investigators can access authorized datasets and analytic tools after approval and NDA/DUA execution.
9. What are the publication requirements?
All abstracts and manuscripts must be submitted to AHA for approval prior to external submission. Publications must use correct GWTG trademarks, include disclosure language, and acknowledge AHA data sources.
10. Do I need IRB approval?
Yes. Investigators are responsible for obtaining IRB approval or exemption for hospital-level data projects. National-level analyses have existing IRB approval through AHA's Biostatistical Core.
11. Can I receive funding for my project?
Limited funding is available through competitive AHA awards during Standard Submission Cycles (August 15 and February 15) or Early Career Investigator Award (October 16). Investigators may also secure external funding, which must be approved by AHA.
- Please note that data use fees may apply for projects utilizing external funding.
12. Who do I contact with questions?
- For national/hospital-level inquiries: [email protected]
- For international inquiries: [email protected]
