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Transition to Independence Grants

KidneyCure

The goal of the William and Sandra Bennett Clinical Scholars Program is to produce the next generation of clinician educators by supporting aspiring nephrology educators to conduct or develop a project to advance all facets of nephrology education and teaching.

Program and Project Expectations

Applicants may submit a proposal that examines, supplements, and/or strengthens any aspect of nephrology education. Project proposals should generate new knowledge and address a gap in nephrology education with an impact beyond the applicant's institution. Examples of proposed projects can include (but are not limited to) curricular reform, innovations in education, new education methods, evaluation of new assessment tools for competency-based learning and assessment, professional development, or professionalism. Grant recipients are expected to publish and disseminate project data at national meetings and credit KidneyCure for its support.

Additionally, recipients are encouraged to complete a formal (such as earning a master's degree in medical education) or semiformal (such as Stanford University School of Medicine's Faculty Development Program for Clinical Teaching) educational program during the KidneyCure funded years.

Funding and Stipulations

• The award will provide each recipient with $50,000 per year for up to two years, to begin on July 1, 105 2027. Funds cannot be used for indirect costs.

• A progress report and a 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 prior written approval 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.

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.

Research Fellowships - Apply for Funding

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

To apply for the William and Sandra Bennett Clinical Scholars Program, a candidate must:

Hold an MD, DO, PhD, or the equivalent degree.
Have completed the clinical portion of their training program by the time of award activation (July 1, 2027).
Must be a full-time faculty member within 10 years of initial faculty appointment at the time of the award activation (appointments prior to July 1, 2017, will be considered with approval of an extension request).
Be a member of ASN at the time of the application.
Be working in North or Central America, or the Caribbean during the funding period.
Commit a minimum of 25% time to the William and Sandra Bennett Clinical Scholars Program during the funding period. A statement of commitment must be provided by the Division Chief or Department Chair.
Consider completing additional formal or semiformal educational training during the KidneyCure funded years.

An applicant who is uncertain of their eligibility should request an advisory opinion from KidneyCure before completing an application.

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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