Ben J. Lipps Research Fellowship Program Application
The deadline to apply is Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. EST.
Purpose
The goal of the Ben J. Lipps Research Fellowship Program is to fund nephrology fellows to conduct original, meritorious research projects. This program will foster the training of fellows, under the direction of a sponsor, who are highly motivated to make contributions to the understanding of kidney biology and disease. This Fellowship serves to establish the beginnings of an independent research career.
Applicants interested in clinical and basic science may submit a proposal that examines any aspect of the entire spectrum of kidney biology and disease.
Ben J. Lipps Research Fellowship Program grants are not renewable and previous recipients are not eligible for a second grant. Applicants may only submit one application during a cycle.
KidneyCure invites applications from individuals whose personal backgrounds or life experiences may contribute valuable perspectives to nephrology, particularly those who have encountered barriers to entry in the field.
2026 Ben J. Lipps Research Fellowship Application Instructions
Eligibility
Please note that the eligibility criteria have been updated.
KidneyCure grants are available to non-US Citizens so long as they are working in North or Central America, or the Caribbean during the grant term.
To apply for a Research Fellowship, a candidate:
- Must hold an MD, DO, PhD, or equivalent degree.
- Must be an active member of ASN (Membership Type: Fellow/Trainee) when the application cycle closes on Thursday, November 20, 2025. The sponsor and all co-sponsors of the candidate must also be active members of ASN by that date.
- May not have completed more than five years of research training after the completion of MD, DO, or equivalent degree, or three years of postdoctoral research training after the PhD degree, at the time of the activation of the award, July 1, 2026.
- Cannot have or have had at any time a nephrology-related or basic science faculty position at any academic institution; instructor-level positions are permitted.
- Must complete research under the direction and mentorship of a sponsor. However, the research objectives proposed by the candidate must clearly be different than the research of the sponsor/mentor/principal investigator.
- Cannot hold another full individual fellowship award such as another foundation fellowship or grant, or a post-doctoral research fellowship from the National Institutes of Health at the time of award activation (July 1, 2026). However, a candidate's institution may supplement the support provided by KidneyCure.
- Must be working in North or Central America, or the Caribbean during the fellowship period.
- Must commit a minimum of 75% time to research during the fellowship period.
- Must not exceed the maximum number of two applications from a single sponsor/mentor/principal investigator during any given application cycle.
Corporate Support
The Ben J. Lipps Research Fellowship Program is fully endowed by contributions provided by Fresenius Medical Care, ASN, the American Renal Patient Care Foundation, Inc., Amgen, Vantive, and the PKD Foundation.
Contact
Please contact KidneyCure with any questions at grants@asn-online.org.