Deadline: 11-Aug-2025
The PKD Foundation is dedicated to supporting research that benefits individuals with autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD and ARPKD). Their mission spans basic, translational, and clinical research, aiming to improve understanding and treatment of these conditions.
The Foundation is accepting research grant applications in several categories. These include basic research to explore the molecular biology and pathobiology of PKD, translational research to develop predictive and therapeutic strategies, and clinical research such as small pilot studies. Proposals are also invited for epidemiology and data analysis projects, especially those using existing datasets or developing new statistical approaches.
The Foundation welcomes proposals in specific topic areas. These include research on ARPKD, childhood ADPKD, innovative uses of machine learning, and lifestyle interventions like dietary habits. Other topics of interest are the broader manifestations of PKD, such as congenital hepatic fibrosis, polycystic liver disease, and intracranial aneurysms. Studies on clinical care disparities, drug delivery mechanisms, and data analysis are also encouraged.
Each grant provides $120,000 per year for two years, totaling $240,000. For Young Investigator Awards, funding may be extended to three years for a total of $360,000. These grants support early-career researchers aiming to become independent investigators.
Eligible applicants must hold an M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent and have a faculty appointment at the time of award. U.S. citizenship is not required. Fellowships are not offered, though salary support for research staff may be included. Only one proposal per applicant is allowed each cycle.
The Young Investigator Award (YIA) offers a third year of support to assist junior scientists in becoming independent researchers. Although primary faculty appointments are not required at the time of application, they must be in place by the funding start date. A support letter from the department chair is necessary, outlining the candidate’s research career path and institutional commitment, including time allocation, lab space, and resources.
Applicants must not currently hold other major research or career development awards, such as an NIH K or R01 grant. They should be within seven years of completing post-doctoral or clinical fellowship training. This does not include parental leave or time off under FMLA.
Pre-application materials must include a Letter of Intent. This should contain an abstract (3,500 characters), a section on significance, innovation, specific aims, approach, and team environment (4,500 characters), and one-page limits for tables/figures and references. A biosketch (five pages) in the new NIH format is also required, with emphasis on the applicant’s career path relevant to the proposal.
For more information, visit PKD Foundation.