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Research Fellowships

KidneyCure

The goal of the Early Career Training Grant Pilot Program is to increase the number of independent kidney researchers by providing protected time for senior post-docs, clinical fellows participating in research-oriented fellowships, and early career faculty interested in kidney research. This grant is intended to provide protected time to awardees to help strengthen their application for a career development grant (e.g., a K grant from the National Institutes of Health or equivalent). The ideal candidate would be an individual who has completed 2-3 years of research training and needs support for the next 2 years.

Applicants interested in clinical, translational, implementation, and basic science may submit a research proposal that examines any aspect of the entire spectrum of kidney biology and disease. KidneyCure invites applications from individuals whose personal backgrounds or life experiences may contribute valuable perspectives to nephrology, particularly those who have encountered barriers to entry in the field and candidates who are not eligible for federal training grants because of immigration status. KidneyCure grants are available to non-U.S. citizens so long as they are working in North or Central America or in the Caribbean region during the grant term.

Funding and Stipulations

• The Early Career Training Grant Pilot Program provides each awardee with $75,000 annually for up to two years, to begin on July 1 of the award year. Payments will be made to the recipient’s institution and must be used only for salary support, including fringe benefits. Funds cannot be used for project costs, travel expenses, or overhead/indirect costs.

• Research must begin on July 1, 2027; research start dates cannot be deferred.

• Recipients cannot hold another training grant or be included on an institutional training grant concurrently with the Early Career Training Grant. Institutional support (salary and other funding) of the applicant sufficient to complete the project is permitted and expected. Additionally, applicants may receive salary support from institutional funds or from research grants (e.g., the Sponsor’s R01).

• A progress report and financial report are required for non-competitive renewal of the grant for the second year. Final reports are also required at the end of the funding period. The award is for continuous support, and interruptions in the period of support will require written approval from KidneyCure.

• Recipients shall acknowledge KidneyCure’s support in publications resulting from their proposed work.

• Grants may be transferred from one institution to another only with the prior approval of KidneyCure.

• Early Career Training Grants are not renewable. Applicants may only submit one application during a cycle.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

The following ranking is a reviewer-oriented synthesis of KidneyCure's program purposes and published eligibility requirements, rather than an official universal scoring rubric.

1

★★★★★

Direct relevance to kidney biology or kidney disease — Critical

Address an important nephrology question, including chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, glomerular disease, kidney transplantation, dialysis, kidney physiology or disease progression. The project should fit the selected program's purpose.

Research Fellowships - Apply for Funding

2

★★★★★

Scientific merit and innovation — Critical

Define an important knowledge gap and a clear, testable hypothesis. Explain how the proposed research advances kidney science beyond existing evidence.

3

★★★★★

Methodological rigor and feasibility — Critical

Present appropriate study design, controls, endpoints, statistical analysis, preliminary evidence where relevant and realistic milestones. Show that the project can be completed with the requested support.

4

★★★★★

Applicant potential and career development — Critical

KidneyCure emphasizes developing the next generation of kidney-health researchers. Demonstrate research promise, relevant skills and a clear path toward greater independence or expertise in nephrology.

Who We Are - About KidneyCure

5

★★★★☆

Mentor quality and institutional support — Very high

For fellowship and training awards, establish an active, qualified kidney-research mentor, appropriate supervision, access to facilities and sufficient sponsor resources to support the project.

Research Fellowships - Apply for Funding

6

★★★★☆

Clear independence plan for early-career faculty — Very high

For Transition to Independence Grants, demonstrate that the proposed work is meaningfully independent of prior mentors and that the investigator can progress toward competitiveness for an NIH R01 or equivalent award.

Apply for Funding

7

★★★★☆

Potential to improve kidney health — Very high

Explain how findings could advance prevention, diagnosis, treatment, transplantation, dialysis safety or patient outcomes. Foundational research can be competitive when its relevance to kidney biology is clear.

8

★★★★☆

Protected research time and resources — Very high

For independence awards, demonstrate adequate protected research time, a full-time faculty appointment and institutional commitments for space, salary support and facilities. The current Transition to Independence rules require at least 75% research time.

Apply for Funding

9

★★★☆☆

Fit with the named award or special program — High

Match the application to the relevant mechanism: predoctoral research, nephrology fellowship, independent investigation, clinical education or a specialized kidney-disease partnership grant. Special awards may target transplantation, pediatric nephrology, diversity or particular kidney conditions.

Apply for Funding

10

★★★★☆

Eligibility, ASN membership and complete submission — Essential gate

Meet the degree, career-stage, geographic, membership, sponsor and application requirements. For the 2027 cycle, non-U.S. citizens may be eligible if they work in North America, Central America or the Caribbean during the award term; working in India alone does not meet that geographic condition.

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Ranked summary table

Rank	Predictor	Importance
1	Kidney-disease relevance	Critical
2	Scientific merit and innovation	Critical
3	Rigor and feasibility	Critical
4	Applicant potential and career development	Critical
5	Mentor and institutional support	Very high
6	Research independence	Very high for faculty awards
7	Potential to improve kidney health	Very high
8	Protected research time and resources	Very high for independence awards
9	Specific award fit	High
10	Eligibility and compliance	Essential gate

Specialties

Nephrology

Eligibility Requirements

This mechanism is intended for applicants who are not eligible for a Ben J. Lipps Research Fellowship and who are not ready to apply for a Transition to Independence Grant. Applicants may only apply to one KidneyCure grant mechanism per grant cycle. Please consult with KidneyCure to determine which mechanism is right for you.

To apply, candidates:

Must hold an MD, DO, PhD, or equivalent degree.
Must be less than seven years from earning an MD, DO, MD/PhD, or equivalent (excluding residency, fellowship, and any time spent earning a Master's in Clinical Research) on July 1, 2027.
Must be less than seven years from earning a PhD on July 1, 2027.
Must be an active member of ASN when the application cycle closes on Thursday, November 19, 2026. The sponsor and all co-sponsors of the candidate must also be active members of ASN when the application cycle closes on Thursday, November 19, 2026.
Must complete research under the direction and mentorship of a sponsor.
Must be working in North or Central America, or the Caribbean during the grant period.
Must commit a minimum of 75% time to research during the award period.
May not hold an academic title higher than Assistant Professor.

Eligible Countries:

Canada

Mexico

United States

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: KidneyCure

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 1401 H Street, NW Suite 900 Washington, DC 20005

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