Scleroderma Research Grant Program - New Investigator Award

The National Scleroderma Foundation's peer-reviewed research grant program provides funding to early-career/new investigators conducting scleroderma research. Award amount is $200,000 per grant effective for the 2022 grant funding cycle.

Geographic Scope

• United States

Focus Areas

• Scleroderma research with priority in:
  • Scleroderma-related lung disease research
  • Pediatric scleroderma
  • Basic and clinical science
  • Projects addressing the pediatric population

Program Details

• Merit-based peer review: Uses the same merit-based scoring system as the National Institutes of Health
• Review committee: Comprised of medical and research experts from across the United States
• Success rate: Approximately 30-33% of applications funded
• Total annual funding commitment: $2.723 million (as of FY 2022)
• Historical commitment: Foundation has committed more than $30 million to advancing medical research in scleroderma since inception in 1998
• Portfolio diversity: FY 2023 portfolio includes three New Investigator Awards and five Established Investigator Awards with mix between basic and clinically focused science

Eligibility

• Early-career/new investigators conducting scleroderma research
• Open to researchers at institutions throughout the United States

Application Requirements

• Annual peer review process
• All funded recipients must submit annual progress reports
• Reports reviewed by Research Committee for compliance with programmatic, scientific, and fiscal/administrative policies

Contact Information

• Address: 55 Ferncroft Road Suite #315, Danvers, MA 01923
• Phone: (800) 722-4673 or (978) 624-1243
• Email: info@scleroderma.org
• Website: scleroderma.org

Application Process

1. Submit proposal in response to Request for Proposals (RFP)
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 annually
6. Successful applicants must submit annual reports on their progress

Required Materials

• Research proposal meeting NIH standards
• 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