Jackson State Awarded $14.5M NIH Contract for Heart Study Center

The funding will extend the university's role in the long-running Jackson Heart Study collaboration.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Jackson State University has received a 10-year, $14.5 million federal contract from the National Institutes of Health to continue its Jackson Heart Study Graduate Training and Education Center. The award renews Jackson State's role in the large-scale investigation of cardiovascular disease in African Americans, which has followed over 5,300 participants in the Jackson metropolitan area since 1998.

Why it matters

Heart disease remains a leading cause of death in the U.S., and African Americans face higher rates of related conditions like hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. The Jackson Heart Study aims to address these health disparities through research and prevention efforts, with the Graduate Training and Education Center at Jackson State preparing future public health leaders to translate the findings.

The details

The $14.5 million contract comes from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, both part of the NIH. Jackson State has received over $25 million in NIH funding related to the Jackson Heart Study since 2013. The renewed funding will help the university's Graduate Training and Education Center continue training graduate students for careers in biomedical and public health sciences, with a focus on disease prevention and health promotion in underserved communities.

  • The Jackson Heart Study was launched in 1998.
  • The program marked a 25-year milestone last year tied to its first participant clinical exam in 2000.
  • The Graduate Training and Education Center at Jackson State was established in 2013.

The players

Jackson State University

A public historically black university located in Jackson, Mississippi.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

An institute within the National Institutes of Health that conducts research on the causes, prevention, and treatment of heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders.

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities

An institute within the National Institutes of Health that conducts and supports research, training, and other programs aimed at improving minority health and eliminating health disparities.

Denise Jones Gregory

Interim President of Jackson State University.

Marinelle Payton

Principal investigator of the Graduate Training and Education Center at Jackson State University.

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What they’re saying

“The renewed funding will help train future public health leaders to translate cardiovascular research into prevention strategies and earlier care.”

— Marinelle Payton, Principal investigator of the Graduate Training and Education Center (darkhorsepressnow.com)

“This award reflects the university's ability to secure major federal research partnerships and support health outcomes for families.”

— Denise Jones Gregory, Interim President (darkhorsepressnow.com)

What’s next

The Graduate Training and Education Center at Jackson State will continue its work to prepare future public health leaders to address cardiovascular health disparities in underserved communities.

The takeaway

Jackson State University's long-standing role in the Jackson Heart Study demonstrates its commitment to addressing health inequities and training the next generation of researchers and practitioners focused on improving outcomes for African American communities.