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Transition to Independence Grants

KidneyCure

The KidneyCure Transition to Independence Grants Program provides funding for early career faculty to foster an independent research career. The successful applicant should be competitive to become a principal investigator on a National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 grant or equivalent by the end of the grant period.

Applicants interested in clinical and basic science may submit a 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.

Funding and Stipulations

• The award will provide $100,000 annually for two years, beginning July 1, 2027, and will cover salaries/supplies related to the candidate's research proposal. A maximum of 10% of the award per year may be used to cover indirect costs at the candidate's sponsoring institution.

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

• 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 from KidneyCure.

• Recipients shall acknowledge KidneyCure’s (and co-sponsoring organization, if applicable) 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

KidneyCure grants are available to non-US Citizens so long as they are working in North or Central America, or the Caribbean during the grant term.

The eligibility window for applicants to apply is determined by the years since their last terminal degree at the time the application cycle closes on Thursday, November 19, 2026. Note that the eligibility window excludes residency and clinical fellowship training years. Over 70% of time should be spent on clinical training for a year to be considered "clinical fellowship training".

Applicants with PhDs or MD/PhDs have a 10 year eligibility window to apply.
Applicants with clinical degrees (e.g. MDs, DOs, DVMs, PharmDs) have a 12 year eligibility window to apply.

Exceptions to the eligibility windows will be considered on a case-by-case basis using criteria outlined in the Extension Requests section found in the instructions.

Additionally, to apply for a Transition to Independence Grant, a candidate:

Must be working in North or Central America, or the Caribbean during the grant period.
Must be an active member of ASN. Check your membership status here.
Must hold an MD, DO, PhD, PharmD, DVM, or equivalent degree.
Cannot be a previous recipient of an ASN or KidneyCure Transition to Independence Grant (formerly ASN Foundation for Kidney Research Career Development Grant). Previous ASN-Amos Medical Faculty Development Program (AMFDP) grant recipients are excepted from this clause.
Cannot be a previous recipient (as PI or co-PI) of a National Institutes of Health R01 grant, VA Merit Award, or equivalent.
Should propose a project that will be viewed as independent of previous mentors.
Applicants cannot have more than $250,000 (in annual direct costs) in internal or external competitive grant support, excluding KidneyCure funds, at the time of the award activation.
Must devote at least 75% of their time to research.
Must have full-time faculty appointment confirmed in writing by the Department Chair, indicating the date of first full-time faculty appointment.
Must have obtained an institutional commitment that is sufficient to conduct independent research (laboratory and office space, salary support, and at least 75% protected research time) confirmed in writing by the Department Chair.

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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