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Applications for the Salim Yusuf Emerging Leaders Programme 2025 are now open.
In 2025, the programme focused on leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the field of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), with an emphasis on Implementation Science, will offer selected candidates the opportunity to participate in a five-day seminar, hosted by WHF President Dr Jagat Narula and UTHealth Houston scheduled for 20 – 24 October 2025, in Houston, Texas, USA.
Originally developed in 2014 by WHF Past President Professor Salim Yusuf, this programme provides advanced training and networking opportunities in cardiovascular health policy and implementation research. It is designed for healthcare practitioners, researchers, and global health advocates seeking to drive meaningful change in cardiovascular care delivery.
Each year, the World Heart Federation (WHF) aims to attract a diverse pool of applicants, encouraging individuals from academia, civil society, the healthcare sector, and the private sector to apply. While affiliation with a WHF member organization is welcomed, it is not a requirement for participation.
The selected cohort will engage in online training sessions, a five-day think tank seminar, and collaborative group work centered on developing actionable proposals. WHF will offer seed funding support for selected projects. Through this immersive experience, emerging leaders will explore how AI can revolutionize cardiovascular care and close the gap between evidence and real-world practice, with a clear focus on implementation science and tangible impact.
“Reasons to apply to join the Emerging Leaders Programme? Fantastic peers, mentors and networks. Reasons not to? None. Join a growing community of early-career professionals focused on global approaches to CVD prevention.”
Prof Amitava Banerjee, WHF Board Member 2025-2026 & Emerging Leader 2014
Application Requirements
The selection committee will expect candidates to demonstrate their passion for improving CVD care and making a difference at the grassroots level and beyond.
Candidates are asked to provide the following supporting documents (in English):
- 1,000 word (maximum) personal statement demonstrating:
- The candidate’s rationale for applying
- Prior experience working with local, regional, or national governments of non-governmental agencies to improve cardiovascular health
- Unique attributes that each candidate brings to the programme
- Demonstration of creativity, disruptive innovation or both to spark change.
- Describe a specific way in which artificial intelligence (AI), integrated with mobile phones, could be utilized to reduce CVD risk factors in individuals or populations within your patient population.
- Provide examples of key challenges implementing an AI-driven, mobile health intervention.
- Discuss potential sustainability challenges of implementing an AI and mobile phone intervention over the long term.
- Curriculum Vitae
- One published writing example (if multi-author publication, candidates should select an example where they are either first or last author)
- Letter(s) of support from a local mentor and departmental head (joint letter acceptable), outlining support for participation in the Programme
- One-minute (maximum) video presentation outlining why the candidate wants to participate in the Salim Yusuf Emerging Leaders Programme
Selection Criteria
- Candidates must be able to communicate fluently in verbal and written English.
- Emerging leaders will generally be considered to be early- to mid-career applicants who have completed their clinical training or tertiary education.
- Demonstration of leadership abilities and skills, either through positions of leadership or examples of leadership during recent or current projects.
- Demonstration of written communication abilities and skills through a recently published manuscript or another scholarly article.
- Demonstration of productivity relevant to the applicant’s particular field as demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications, grants awarded, projects led and completed, or other field-specific metrics of productivity.
How To Apply
Applications for the 2025 Emerging Leaders Programme are now closed.
If you have any questions, please email emergingleaders@worldheart.org
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