Debra Lurvey Memorial Research Grant

A donor-funded endowed memorial research grant established by Greg Lurvey in honor of his wife, Debra Lurvey, who lived with systemic scleroderma. This grant awards an established investigator focused on lung-related research with $200,000 total, paid as $100,000 per year for two years. The funding consists in part of a legacy gift endowing the grant in perpetuity.

Background

Debra Lurvey was misdiagnosed for more than five years before receiving the correct diagnosis of systemic sclerosis. She was treated with Bosentan for 10 years and outlived scleroderma much longer than her doctors expected. She was an avid reader of Scleroderma Voice magazine and attendee of many national conferences. Debra was passionate about raising awareness about scleroderma and believed that a cure could be found if enough people knew about the disease. She regularly told physicians, nurses, residents, and medical students: "You could be the person who finds the cure!"

Geographic Scope

• United States

Focus Areas

• Primary focus: Scleroderma-related lung disease research
• Established investigator projects

Program Details

• Award structure: $200,000 over two years ($100,000/year)
• Endowment status: Perpetually funded through legacy gift
• First award: January 2022
• Selection criteria: Peer-reviewed, merit-based evaluation
• Review committee: Comprised of medical and research experts using NIH-standard scoring

Eligibility

• Applicant level: Established investigators
• Research focus: Lung-related scleroderma research
• Geographic scope: United States-based institutions

Contact Information

• Address: 55 Ferncroft Road Suite #315, Danvers, MA 01923
• Phone: (978) 463-5843 or (800) 722-4673
• Email: development@scleroderma.org or info@scleroderma.org
• Website: scleroderma.org

Legacy Giving

This grant is part of the Scleroderma Hope Society, which recognizes donors who make transformational legacy gifts. The Lurvey family (Greg, daughter Rachelle, and grandchildren Jacob, Michael, and Isabella) are founding members of this society.

Application Process

Application through the standard Scleroderma Research Grant Program process:

1. Submit proposal in response to annual Request for Proposals (RFP) for Established Investigator Awards focused on lung disease research
2. All applications undergo rigorous peer review by scleroderma experts
3. Applications are carefully reviewed, critiqued, and ranked by panel
4. Only projects of significant scientific merit are recommended for funding
5. Research Committee makes funding recommendations to Board of Directors
6. Successful applicants must submit annual reports on their progress

Required Materials

• Research proposal meeting NIH standards
• Focus on scleroderma-related lung disease
• Project description and scientific merit documentation
• Institutional affiliation information
• Budget and budget justification

Application Portal/Form

Detailed application guidelines available at: https://www.scleroderma.org/researchers-clinicians-industry/ and scleroderma.org/researchapply