Preeclampsia Foundation and Preeclampsia Foundation Canada announced that applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Vision Grant research funding program. Three of the four grants focus on health equity; one focuses on HELLP Syndrome.

The Preeclampsia Foundation (USA) will award two scientific research Vision Grants to study preeclampsia and related hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with a special focus on health inequities in the United States, up to $20,000 USD each. The Foundation’s Canadian affiliate, Preeclampsia Foundation Canada, will also be awarding two Vision Grants, one focused on HELLP Syndrome, up to $25,000 CAD, and one focused on preeclampsia and health inequities in Black Canadians, up to $20,000 CAD.

“Black and Indigenous women in North America are more likely to develop hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and to have adverse outcomes,” said Eleni Tsigas, Preeclampsia Foundation Chief Executive Officer. “By focusing this year’s funding on research that includes and centers these highly affected populations, we hope to add to the body of research to better understand those connections, increase representation in our patient registry, and ultimately improve their outcomes.”

Vision Grants provide initial funding for novel, innovative research led by promising young investigators. Only post-doctoral, Clinical Fellows, or Early-Stage Investigators are eligible to apply.

Proposed health equity projects will work to better understand and improve outcomes for Black, Indigenous, and other underserved communities, and will use patient enrollment into The Preeclampsia Registry in their study design. International applications are welcome; however, submissions must be in English.

The Canadian Vision Grant focused on health equity will be known as the Maya B. Dash Vision Grant, made possible thanks to generous support from the Doane Grant Thornton Foundation. Only researchers based in Canada will be considered for that award. The other Canadian award will specifically fund HELLP syndrome research and is open to all qualified researchers, thanks to generous support from the Cara HELLPs research fund, created in honor of Cara Kernohan, who at 29 years old, lost her life tragically and suddenly to HELLP syndrome at 35 weeks of pregnancy.

The application deadline is May 27, 2026, with award notification in September 2026. Specific eligibility criteria and instructions to apply can be found at www.preeclampsia.org/research-funding (US) or www.preeclampsiacanada.ca (Canada).

“Preeclampsia Foundation Canada eagerly anticipates supporting ambitious and innovative research that will lead to improved maternal and infant health,” said Violet Mateljan, President of the Preeclampsia Foundation Canada Board of Directors. “We are incredibly grateful to our funding partners that make these grants possible, particularly for this year’s understudied areas of focus.”

About the Vision Grant Award program 

Since its inception, the Preeclampsia Foundation’s Vision Grant annual program has invested more than a half million dollars in novel research – ranging from molecular biology and immunology to potential therapies, with the goal of supporting new, potentially groundbreaking concepts. These results have, in turn, generated additional funding, earned scientific presentations at major conferences, and inspired young investigators to challenge a medical conundrum that has baffled the medical community for more than 2,400 years. Since 2016, the Preeclampsia Foundation Canada’s Vision Grant annual program has invested more than $230,000 CAD in novel research with the goal of supporting new, potentially groundbreaking concepts.

About the Preeclampsia Foundation

The Preeclampsia Foundation is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2000 to improve the outcomes of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy by educating, supporting, and engaging the community, improving healthcare practices, and accelerating research. We envision a world where preeclampsia and related hypertensive disorders of pregnancy no longer threaten the lives of mothers and their babies. For more information, visit www.preeclampsia.org.

About Preeclampsia Foundation Canada

Preeclampsia Foundation Canada is incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act since May 2015. As an affiliate of the U.S.-based Preeclampsia Foundation, its mission is to raise awareness and advance education and research of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. For more information, visit www.preeclampsiacanada.ca.

About the Doane Grant Thornton Foundation

The Doane Grant Thornton Foundation was established to help Doane Grant Thornton organize the collective efforts and significant contributions of their people across Canada, providing additional financial support for local, national, and international causes that resonate with their employees. To learn more, visit www.doanegrantthornton.ca.