PKD Foundation Research Grant Program

The PKD Foundation Research Grant Program is administered by the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing research, education, advocacy, and support for individuals affected by polycystic kidney disease. The foundation’s mission is to accelerate the discovery of treatments and a cure for both autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive forms of the disease. Through this grant program, the organization provides financial support to researchers conducting basic, translational, clinical, and epidemiological studies that aim to improve understanding of disease mechanisms and develop therapeutic strategies. The program is designed to fund innovative and impactful research across a wide range of scientific disciplines relevant to PKD. Eligible project areas include molecular and cellular mechanisms of disease, clinical pilot studies, drug development and delivery, epidemiological data analysis, and emerging approaches such as machine learning and gene therapies. While certain focus areas are encouraged, such as pediatric disease, cilia signaling, and extra renal complications, all applications are evaluated based on scientific merit rather than topic preference. The program also encourages international collaboration and gives consideration to research conducted in specific partner countries. Funding is provided as a direct cost award of 120000 dollars per year for a standard two year period, totaling 240000 dollars. An optional third year of funding is available through the Young Investigator Award track, increasing the maximum total award to 360000 dollars. Funds must be used strictly in accordance with the approved project budget and are subject to several restrictions. No indirect costs are allowed, salary support is capped at 50 percent of direct costs, consultant fees are limited to 10000 dollars, equipment costs to 12000 dollars, and travel to 1500 dollars per year unless otherwise justified. Continued funding is contingent on satisfactory research progress and availability of funds. Eligibility requirements specify that applicants must hold an MD, PhD, or equivalent degree and have a faculty appointment or equivalent position at the institution where the research will be conducted by the start of funding. Applicants are not required to be United States citizens, and only one proposal may be submitted per funding cycle. Additional eligibility criteria apply for applicants seeking the optional third year under the Young Investigator Award, including limits on prior major funding and requirements for institutional support documentation demonstrating a pathway to independence. The application process includes a required pre application stage in the form of a Letter of Intent. The pre application portal opens on July 1, 2026, and submissions are due by August 17, 2026. Applications are reviewed between August and October 2026, after which selected applicants are invited in October 2026 to submit full proposals. Full applications are due January 19, 2027, and undergo a second review period from January through April 2027. Final funding decisions and applicant notifications are expected in May 2027, with the project funding cycle running from July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2029. Applications must be submitted through the designated online portal and adhere to strict formatting and content requirements. The review process is conducted by grant review committees that assess scientific quality, feasibility, and alignment with program goals. Applicants are permitted one resubmission with a required response to reviewer feedback if not initially selected. Successful applicants must comply with reporting requirements, including annual progress and financial reports, and provide a summary suitable for a general audience. The program also includes several compliance and policy obligations. Awardees must acknowledge the PKD Foundation in all resulting publications and share copies of such outputs. All funded research is subject to the foundation’s intellectual property policy, and institutions are responsible for regulatory compliance, including human subject protections where applicable. Applicants must disclose conflicts of interest and certify institutional policies related to workplace conduct. Questions regarding the program and application process may be directed to the foundation via its research contact email.

Submit a strong LOI as it determines invitation; align tightly with PKD research priorities; justify budget within strict caps; ensure no scientific overlap with existing funding; follow formatting rules exactly