Research Funding

The main goal of our research grant program is to develop clinical interventions for treating PKD.

This program funds basic laboratory research aimed at increasing understanding of the genetic and pathological processes involved in PKD as well as research with an obvious or direct potential to accelerate the development of potential therapies.

Epidemiologic research proposals utilizing existing data resources to develop new statistical methodologies or to test hypotheses are also welcome.
Eligibility
Applicants must have an M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent degree and hold a faculty appointment at the institution where the research will be conducted.

Applicants need not be United States citizens.
Timeline
Requests for grant pre-applications are released in June, and invitations for full applications are released in October with an ultimate proposal deadline of mid-January.

Each grant recipient receives $80,000 per year for two years. After the first year of funding, grant recipients submit updates on the progress of their research. After the final year of funding, grant recipients submit the results of their studies in a final report.
Young Investigator Award
An optional third year of support will be available to one of more young investigators. The recipient(s) will be selected from deserving grant applications to support the transition of a junior scientist to an independent investigator.

Interested applicants will need to clearly outline their interest, eligibility, and scope of research for this third year of funding.
Review process
The PKD Foundation strives to be transparent in our decision-making processes. We rely on our grant review committees, who develop recommendations for funding, as well as the processes we use as a foundation to make funding decisions. Learn more here.

Our fellowship grant program recognizes early-career scientists whose achievements and potential identify them as rising stars— the next generation of scientific leaders in PKD research.

Our fellowships aim to attract promising trainees who will obtain significant research experience as they initiate and – we hope – spend long, productive careers in PKD research.

Meet Fellowship Recipients
Timeline
Requests for applications for fellowships are released in October with a January deadline. Recipients are notified in May, and the grant cycle begins on July 1 of the same year. Each recipient receives $70,000 a year for two years.
Eligibility
Applicants must have a Ph.D. or M.D. degree. This application is for a training position and requires a mentor who is knowledgeable about PKD and the project.

Applicants must describe a clear career path and explain how this project is relevant to that path. A mentor may sponsor only one applicant.
Review Process
Applicants are evaluated by our Grants Review Committee, comprised of members of the Scientific Advisory Panel.

Applications are given a priority score based on the scientific merit of the project, its relevance to PKD research, and the training potential of the applicant.

Award funding is based on the priority score, the recommendations of the Grants Review Committee and the availability of funds.

The scientific meeting grant program focuses on funding PKD-relevant scientific and clinical meetings that bring together PKD scientists from around the world to discuss current findings and encourage research collaborations.

We’ve also funded medical education programs at national clinical meetings to educate medical professionals in the basic science, diagnosis, disease management, and potential treatments for PKD. We provided funding through educational grants to support scientific conferences and meetings that support our mission.

We accept scientific meeting applications on a rolling basis.

The Department of Defense has released funding opportunities for multiple awards in the Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program. A webinar series is available to assist in exploring funding opportunities and career development in clinical research.

In March of 2023, we held a webinar with a member of the CDMRP staff to talk about what the application process looks like.

You can also access slides shared in the webinar here.
ASN Foundation for Kidney Research
A Career Development Grants Program provides funding for young faculty to foster evolution to an independent research career and a successful application for a National Institutes of Health (NIH) full R01 grant or equivalent.

By the end of the grant period, a recipient will have an independent research career and be eligible for federal and nonfederal funding. For details, click here.