Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Vanderbilt University Medical Center received a $154,142 Project Grant award from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) under the Cardiovascular Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.837), effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031. This award funds a research initiative examining preeclampsia recurrence patterns and risk mitigation strategies, leveraging Vanderbilt's clinical data on over 12,900 patients with multiple pregnancies and the institution's Precision Phenotyping Core. The grant supports two primary research objectives: (1) determining the relationship between preeclampsia subtypes and recurrence risk using a nationally representative patient population, and (2) delineating the role of modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors—including interpregnancy interval, weight gain, maternal smoking status, age, and fetal sex—in disease recurrence. The research incorporates advanced quantitative methods and polygenic risk scoring to assess disease heritability.

The award includes a significant career development component supporting Dr. Sundermann's professional advancement in epidemiologic and translational research. Deliverables include validated algorithms for identifying preeclampsia subtypes from electronic health record data and evidence-based findings on recurrence risk stratification that may inform clinical interventions to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. No sub-awardees are identified in this grant structure; all research activities and resources are provided directly by Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.