Funder: Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation
Due Dates: December 2, 2024 (Letter of Intent)
Funding Amounts: $100,000 total over two years; up to 8% indirect costs included
Summary: Supports early-career researchers with mentored projects to advance understanding and treatment of pulmonary fibrosis across basic, translational, clinical, epidemiological, and health services research.
Key Information: Limited submission: only postdocs, instructors, or assistant professors within 12 years of terminal degree are eligible.
Description
The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) Scholars program is designed to accelerate the careers of promising early-stage investigators focused on pulmonary fibrosis. The program provides $100,000 in research funding over two years, supporting mentored research projects that address urgent questions in pulmonary fibrosis biology, diagnosis, treatment, and patient care. The goal is to help scholars generate data and experience that will make them competitive for major independent research awards (e.g., NIH K or R series).
Projects may span basic science, translational, clinical, epidemiological, or health services research. Scholars benefit from additional mentorship, participation in PFF Scholar activities, and opportunities to engage with the broader pulmonary fibrosis research community.
Due Dates
- Letter of Intent (LOI) Deadline: December 2, 2024
- Full Application (by invitation): March 2025 (anticipated)
- Award Notification: May–June 2025 (anticipated)
- Funds Available: October 2025
Funding Amount
- Total Award: $100,000 per scholar, distributed over two years
- Indirect Costs: Up to 8% of the total award (included in the $100,000)
- Number of Awards: Varies by year and available funding
Eligibility
- Career Stage:
- Postdoctoral fellows, instructors, or assistant professors (or equivalent) at an academic institution
- Must be within 12 years of completing their terminal degree (exceptions for career interruptions may be considered)
- Degree Requirements: MD, DO, RN, PhD, or other doctoral/professional degree
- Clinical Applicants: Must have completed clinical fellowship training by the application deadline
- Other Requirements:
- Must not be PI on another career development award (e.g., NIH K Award) or independent grant (e.g., R01) with direct costs ≥$250,000/year
- Must not have received non-mentored grants ≥$100,000/year for at least two years
- Must demonstrate commitment to a career as an independent investigator in interstitial lung disease
- Must have strong mentorship and institutional support
- Citizenship: Open to applicants in the US and Canada; international applicants at US institutions may be eligible with appropriate visa status
Application Process
- Letter of Intent (LOI):
- Submit via ProposalCentral
- LOIs are reviewed for scientific merit, innovation, and alignment with program goals
- Full Application (by invitation):
- Research Plan (Aims + 4-page strategy)
- Career Development Plan (background, goals, training activities)
- Letters of support from primary mentor and institution
- Additional letters of support (optional)
- Biosketches for key personnel
- Review:
- Peer-reviewed by the PFF Research Review Committee
- Scored on NIH 1–9 scale for significance, approach, innovation, investigator, and environment
- Notification:
- Top LOIs invited to submit full applications
- Awardees notified after committee and leadership approval
Additional Information
- Limited Submission: Each applicant may only submit one application per cycle.
- Overlap Policy: Budgetary or scientific overlap with other awards is only permitted if the other award is <$100,000/year.
- Mentorship: Strong mentorship is required; mentor must have a track record and sufficient funding.
- Career Development: The program is intended to position scholars for future independent funding within three years.
External Links
Contact Information