National Kidney Foundation: Young Investigator Research Grant: Francisco 'Frank' M. Gonzalez Memorial Research Fund

Overview

_NOTE: See pages for [Chastain Renal Research Grant](), [Joseph M. Krainin MD Memorial Young Investigator Award]()_, _and [NKF & Satellite Dialysis Young Investigator Grants]()._

**National Kidney Foundation
**

Mission Statement

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is dedicated to preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by kidney disease, and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation.

Young Investigator Research Grant

NKF established a Young Investigator Research Grant program to support clinical research studies addressing important issues for patients with kidney disease. Projects must be patient-oriented. Elements of patient-oriented research activities may include, but are not limited to, development of new technologies, mechanisms of human disease, educational or therapeutic interventions, epidemiological studies, health policy studies, and clinical trials. Individuals who have completed fellowship training in an ACGME-accredited training program and who hold junior faculty positions (Instructor or Assistant Professor) at university-affiliated medical centers in the United States are eligible to apply. (Francisco 'Frank' M. Gonzalez Memorial Research Fund projects will accept Basic Science applications).

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) will fund the most meritorious research projects after a peer review by an independent review committee. Applicants will be asked to provide a description of the applicability of the proposed research to the NKF’s mission to improve the detection, prevention, and treatment of kidney disease, to foster kidney transplantation, and to improve the lives of patients with kidney disease.

Applicants may have a concurrent NIH “K” series award and a Young Investigator Grant from the NKF. The applicant should provide a statement of the budgetary and scientific overlap and relatedness of the two applications.

Funding

Initial support for awards commencing July 1, 2025, is provided for one year in a total amount not to exceed $35,000 ($25,000 for the Francisco 'Frank' M. Gonzalez Memorial Research Fund for one year). Although funding for a second year of support is not guaranteed, the investigator may request an additional year's funding, as a competitive renewal. The fiscal department of the investigator's institution shall administer the Young Investigator Grant funds.

Funds may be used for equipment, supplies, clinical research costs or other expenses directly related to the conduct of the proposed research. The full grant amount may also be expended for salary and fringe benefits of the principal investigator. No more than $1,000 per year may be used for travel by the investigator to national or international meetings.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

* Who Should Apply
* Promising young scientists are encouraged to submit proposals for investigating clinical research questions in nephrology, or closely related fields.
* We will consider applications from individuals who:
* Have completed training in nephrology prior to the start of the grant award, and who intend to pursue research directly related to these areas.
* Applicants trained in Internal Medicine or Pediatrics with subsequent Nephrology fellowship training are also accepted.
* Hold a full-time appointment to a faculty position at a university, or an equivalent position as a scientist on the staff of a research-oriented institution, at the time funding beginss (July 1, 2025).
* The university or research-oriented institution must be in the United States.
* Customarily, the appropriate faculty rank is that of Assistant Professor.
* In some institutions, at title such as Instructor is used to designate junior faculty status; individuals at that rank are eligible to apply.
* Qualifications should be documented in the bio sketch (limit: four pages).
* Are within their first four years of initial appointment to a faculty position or staff scientist position in a research organization.
* Candidates who received an appointment before July 1, 2021, are not eligible for this award in this funding cycle.
* Only one investigator in an institution will be supported in any funding cycle by a Young Investigator Research Grant.
* Only one grant will be awarded to any applicant in the funding cycle.
* Geography Limits
* Applicants of the Francisco 'Frank' M. Gonzalez Memorial Research Fund must work at an institution in Louisiana.
* Applicants of the Chastain Renal Research Grant must work at an institution in Arkansas.

Ineligibility

* Funds may not be used for:
* Indirect costs or overhead

* Costs of patient care
* Constructing or renovating facilities
* Furniture or office equipment
* Secretarial services