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High Impact Research Award

Sjögren's Foundation, Inc.

The Foundation’s standard grant mechanism that prioritizes funding for both clinical and basic scientific research into the cause, prevention, detection, treatment, and cure for Sjögren’s. One grant per category is awarded each year; however, if multiple proposals show great promise (as determined by the Research Review Committee), additional grants per category may be awarded, if that year’s budget and funds allow.

The High Impact Grant is a $100,000 grant to support larger research concepts or continued larger-scale research after initial proof-of-concept research has been obtained.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Clear and Central Focus on Sjögren’s Disease

This is the primary success factor. Competitive proposals directly address:

Immune mechanisms of salivary & lacrimal gland dysfunction

B-cell hyperactivity, autoantibodies (SSA/Ro, SSB/La)

Type I interferon dysregulation

Breakdowns in mucosal immunity and epithelial integrity

Fatigue and chronic pain

Neurological involvement

Pulmonary, renal, hepatic, cutaneous manifestations

Sjögren’s-associated lymphoma risk & biomarkers

Early disease detection and prevention

❗ Generic autoimmune proposals score poorly unless deeply connected to Sjögren’s-specific biology or clinical outcomes.

2. Alignment With the Specific Funding Mechanism

Matching stage and topic matters significantly:

Mechanism	Ideal Project	Key Requirements
Pilot Research Grants	Mechanistic or translational feasibility studies	Strong innovation + rationale
Clinical & Biomarker Grants	Human sample-based or clinical studies	Patient access + quantifiable endpoints
Health Outcomes & QOL Grants	Patient experience, access, disparities	Engagement with patient partners

Predictor: Match aims + investigator stage + translational maturity to the call.

3. High Patient Relevance / Impact

Sjögren’s Foundation is very patient mission–driven. Emphasize:

Improved dry mouth/dry eyes treatments or diagnostics

Post-viral etiologies and pathogenesis

Targeting fatigue — a major unmet need

Pain management and neurosensory mechanisms

Comorbidity reduction (especially lymphoma)

Quality of life & functional outcomes

Health disparities in diagnosis & treatment

Predictor: Clear benefit → why this helps patients in the next 5–10 years.

4. Strong Preliminary Data

Even small awards typically fund proposals with evidence of feasibility:

Pilot data from patient samples or animal models

Early mechanistic insights (immune cell signaling, gland pathology)

Proof of assay performance

Indications of biomarker potential or therapeutic effect

IRB-ready design for clinical studies

Predictor: Pilot data is deeply linked to funding success.

5. Use of Sjögren’s-Relevant Models and Human Material

Competitive projects leverage:

Patient salivary or lacrimal gland biopsies

PBMCs or blood-based biomarkers

SS mouse models (e.g., NOD, IL-14α transgenic)

Tissue organoids / 3D gland culture

Tear or saliva proteomics

Predictor: Direct disease relevance is a major review advantage.

6. Biomarkers and Precision Medicine

The Foundation has major focus on diagnosis, prognosis, and flare prediction:

Immunologic and omics-based biomarkers

Imaging for gland function

Predictive tools for risk of lymphoma

Stratification for targeted therapies

Predictor: Biomarker projects tied to future trials are very competitive.

7. Well-Structured Specific Aims and Study Design

Proposals are generally 1–2 years → must be feasible.

Successful applications feature:

2–3 focused, hypothesis-driven aims

Clear annual deliverables

Rigorous statistical plans

Define a path to larger extramural funding (e.g., NIH R01)

Predictor: Clear and feasible = higher priority score.

8. Expertise and Investigator Commitment

Reviewers consider:

PI’s publication record in Sjögren’s or related autoimmunity

Evidence of long-term commitment to the field

Team with relevant immunology, clinical, or bioinformatics expertise

Access to a Sjögren’s clinic or trial network (e.g., SICCA cohorts)

Predictor: This increases reviewer confidence in both execution and future impact.

9. Integration With Patient Organizations

Especially in QOL/outcomes studies:

Patient advisory boards

Patient-centered endpoints

PROs validated for Sjögren’s (e.g., ESSPRI, ESSDAI)

Stakeholder engagement plans

Predictor: Co-development with patients is a competitive advantage.

10. Strong Proposal Presentation

Successful grants:

Contain compelling schematic figures and preliminary data

Use language accessible to both clinical and lab reviewers

Address pitfalls and provide alternatives

Fully comply with structure and budget guidelines

Predictor: Clear writing boosts reviewer enthusiasm and impact scoring.

🏆 Summary — Sjögren’s Foundation Funding Predictors

Predictor	Why It Matters
Sjögren’s-specific focus	Core mission requirement
Mechanism alignment	Ensures proper expectations
Patient relevance & unmet need	Central priority
Preliminary data	Feasibility validation
Human tissues/models	Clinical relevance
Biomarker & precision focus	Strategic Foundation interest
Feasible aims	Fit timeline & funding
Investigator track record	Execution confidence
Patient engagement	Mission-aligned approach
Strong writing & rigor	Higher reviewer scores

Specialties

Clinical Trials

Data Science

Eligibility Requirements

 Grants are open to U.S.-based investigators.

 Applicants must hold an advanced degree (e.g., MD, PhD, DDS, OD, etc), or be working toward an advanced degree and be supervised by an experienced investigator.

 Foundation Board members are eligible to apply, but must have other investigators on the proposal and participating in the research.

o If included, the Board member will not be a part of any of the review or decision making aspects of awarding that year’s grants.

 Applicants who have previously been awarded a grant from the Foundation are eligible.

o To encourage innovation and support of a broad range of researchers, applicants cannot be funded for more than two consecutive grant cycles in a given period.

 Application will require that the principal investigator estimate their paid/unpaid time on the research project.

 Institutions are not limited in the number of investigators who apply and are not limited to consecutive awards.

 Companies or for-profit research institutions are ineligible to apply for a Foundation research grant.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Sjögren's Foundation, Inc.

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 10701 Parkridge Blvd. Suite 170, Reston, VA 20191

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