A key mission of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) is to fund research that will ultimately lead to a cure for those affected by pulmonary fibrosis (PF). As a result of a recent generous gift from the Tully Family, the PFF will fund a special award focusing on familial PF-related research (FPF), with a particular focus on shortening the timeframe for development of treatments.
Familial idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is defined as histologically confirmed IPF occurring in two or more members of a family. Familial pulmonary fibrosis is hereditary, most probably as a feature which is autosomal dominant with variable penetration. Family-based studies have led to the identification of rare genetic variants in genes related to surfactant function and telomere biology, and mechanistic studies suggest pathophysiological derangements associated with these rare genetic variants are also found in sporadic cases of IPF. Treatment options are currently limited and thus a comprehensive, integrated approach to defining the fundamental molecular mechanisms that underlie FPF pathogenesis remains an unmet need. The PFF is looking to fund an innovative grant that offers a high likelihood of advancing discovery to rapidly improve our understanding of FPF.
The PFF Tully Family FPF Research Award is designed to support early stage or established investigators to study familial PF-related research, with a particular focus on shortening the timeframe for development of treatments. A total award pool of $245,000 USD will be distributed over a two-year period. This may be allocated to a single proposal or two or more smaller proposals. If the application requests two years of budget support, the second year of funding allocation will depend on research progress. The PFF allows no more than 10% of indirect costs for these awards, which is already included in the total award amount.
Deadline: May 31, 2022
1. The Principal Investigator must have an MD, DO, PhD, or other doctoral level or professional degree as of the beginning of the Award period.
2. For those with a clinical degree (MD, DO, etc.), investigators must have completed their clinical (e.g., ACGME) and research fellowship training as of the beginning of the Award period. For PhD investigators, completion of post-doctoral training prior to the beginning of the award is required.
3. Licensed registered nurses with a PhD are eligible.
4. Must have demonstrated a track record as or a significant commitment to becoming an independent investigator in an interstitial lung disease-related field.
5. Submissions with two Principal Investigators (Co-PI) that bring together investigators from within and outside the pulmonary fibrosis field are welcomed.
6. Commitment / assurance by the institution that the necessary infrastructure / resources are available to perform the proposed studies including confirmation that employment at the institution is assured for the duration of the award. This can be included in the institutional letter of support.
7. No Budgetary or scientific overlap with other awards is permitted.
8. Senior investigators are eligible to apply for this award
