Transition to Independence Grants Application
The deadline to apply is Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. EST.
Purpose
The KidneyCure Transition to Independence Grants Program provides funding for early career faculty to foster an independent research career. The successful applicant should be competitive to become a principal investigator on a National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 grant or equivalent by the end of the grant period.
Applicants interested in clinical and basic science may submit a proposal that examines any aspect of the entire spectrum of kidney biology and disease.
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 Transition to Independence Grant 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.
The eligibility window for applicants to apply is determined by the years since their last terminal degree at the time the application cycle closes on Thursday, November 20, 2025. Note that the eligibility window excludes residency and clinical fellowship training years. Over 70% of time should be spent on clinical training for a year to be considered "clinical fellowship training".
- Applicants with PhDs or MD/PhDs have a 10 year eligibility window to apply.
- Applicants with clinical degrees (e.g. MDs, DOs, DVMs, PharmDs) have a 12 year eligibility window to apply.
Exceptions to the eligibility windows will be considered on a case-by-case basis using criteria outlined in the Extension Requests section found in the instructions.
Additionally, to apply for a Transition to Independence Grant, a candidate:
- Must be working in North or Central America, or the Caribbean during the grant period.
- Must be an active member of ASN. Check your membership status here.
- Must hold an MD, DO, PhD, PharmD, DVM, or equivalent degree.
- Cannot be a previous recipient of an ASN or KidneyCure Transition to Independence Grant (formerly ASN Foundation for Kidney Research Career Development Grant). Previous ASN-Amos Medical Faculty Development Program (AMFDP) grant recipients are excepted from this clause.
- Cannot be a previous recipient (as PI or co-PI) of a National Institutes of Health R01 grant, VA Merit Award, or equivalent.
- Should propose a project that will be viewed as independent of previous mentors.
- Applicants cannot have more than $250,000 (in annual direct costs) in internal or external competitive grant support, excluding KidneyCure funds, at the time of the award activation.
- Must devote at least 75% of their time to research.
- Must have a tenure track faculty appointment at the assistant professor level or equivalent prior to the start of the grant term (July 1, 2026) confirmed in writing by the Department Chair.
- Must have obtained an institutional commitment that is sufficient to conduct independent research (laboratory and office space, salary support, and at least 75% protected research time) confirmed in writing by the Department Chair.
Contact
Please contact KidneyCure with any questions at grants@asn-online.org.