American Heart Association Awards Nation of Lifesavers Grants to 33 Educational Institutions to Enhance Campus Safety

The American Heart Association awards Nation of Lifesavers grants to 33 campuses to provide CPR kits and AED training, aiming to double survival rates by 2030.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 27, 2026, 7:26 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from American Heart Association

Strategic Financial Support for Student-Led Health Initiatives

The American Heart Association is addressing the critical gap in bystander intervention by providing direct financial support to its nationwide network of Heart Clubs. These student-led organizations, which have grown to over 250 groups since their inception in late 2024, are designed to empower youth to take charge of community well-being. By awarding the Nation of Lifesavers grants, the Association is ensuring that these clubs have the formal resources needed to move beyond awareness and into active life-saving training. This expansion is a vital component of a larger national movement to transform schools from passive environments into active hubs of resuscitation expertise.

Equipping Higher Education with Advanced Resuscitation Tools

For the 15 collegiate recipients, including institutions such as Cornell University and Howard University, the grants provide a specialized package of medical training equipment. Each college will receive two CPR in Schools Kits, which include high-fidelity manikins and instructional materials designed for large-group education. Furthermore, a 500 dollar stipend is provided to help facilitate campus-wide training events. This initiative recognizes that college campuses function as small cities, where the ability of students and faculty to perform immediate chest compressions can bridge the gap between the onset of cardiac arrest and the arrival of professional emergency services.

Customized Safety Planning for Secondary School Environments

The grant structure for high schools focuses on a more comprehensive institutional overhaul, emphasizing the development of Cardiac Emergency Response Plans. Schools like Clara Barton High School and Pflugerville High School will use the funds to move beyond basic awareness toward card-credentialed CPR, First Aid, and AED training for both staff and students. By formalizing these response protocols, high schools can ensure that every athletic field, classroom, and common area is covered by a verified safety net. This systemic approach is intended to make preparation the default standard for American secondary education rather than an exceptional circumstance.