Debra Lurvey Memorial Research Grant

Funder: National Scleroderma Foundation (endowed by the Lurvey family)

Geographic Scope: United States

Focus Areas:

• Specifically: Scleroderma-related lung disease research
• Established investigator research projects

Award Details:

• Award Amount: $200,000 total ($100,000 per year for two years)
• Funding Type: Endowed memorial research grant (perpetual)
• Investigator Level: Established investigators only

Eligibility:

• Established investigators (not new/early-career investigators)
• Research focused specifically on lung-related complications of scleroderma
• Must be committed to discovering causes and mechanisms of disease

Selection Process:

• Merit-based peer review by scleroderma research experts
• Part of Foundation's broader peer-reviewed research program
• Same rigorous scoring as NIH merit system

Background:

• Established in 2021 by Greg Lurvey in honor of his wife, Debra, who lived with systemic scleroderma for over a decade
• First award granted in January 2022
• Multi-generational family commitment including Debra's daughter Rachelle and three grandchildren (Jacob, Michael, Isabella)
• Lurvey family became founding members of Scleroderma Hope Society
• Represents family's belief that research funding can improve quality of life for those with scleroderma

Contact Information:

• For legacy gifts/endowment inquiries: development@scleroderma.org
• Phone: (978) 463-5843
• Website: scleroderma.org

Application Process

Submission:

• Submit through standard Scleroderma Research Grant Program application process
• Visit scleroderma.org/researchapply for guidelines
• Download Grant Application Form & Instructions
• Application focused on lung disease research will be considered for this award

Timeline:

• Proposal submission deadline: Typically around September 30 (may vary by year)
• Awards announced: Typically in early February

Note: Specific application instructions for this dedicated grant award should be confirmed with the Foundation directly.