NBDF’s premier research fellowship program is named in honor of Dr. Judith Graham Pool. Established by NBDF in 1972, the Judith Graham Pool (JGP) Postdoctoral Research Fellowships have provided a long legacy of support for basic science and pre-clinical research in bleeding disorders. In 1965, Dr. Pool discovered a method of extracting clotting factor from human plasma to formulate cryoprecipitate. This breakthrough opened the door to a series of research developments that would revolutionize treatment for hemophilia and ultimately lead to its management through recombinant replacement factor and current extended half-life therapies.
Since the program's inception, NBDF has funded numerous scientists whose projects have produced vital insights into hemophilia and other bleeding disorders. JGP research fellowship award projects have contributed to the development of safer concentrates, enhanced methods of testing and screening, and have laid the groundwork for current advances in gene therapy for hemophilia.
Explore research projects funded by this award
Eligibility Requirements
Candidates for the JGP Postdoctoral Research Fellowship must have completed doctoral training, currently enrolled or will be enrolled in a doctoral, postdoctoral, internship or residency training program at the time of award disbursement. Individuals with more than six years of experience since completing doctoral training are not eligible to apply. Established investigators or faculty members are also not eligible.
U.S. citizenship is not required, but prospective candidates must be affiliated with a U.S.-based organization (such as a university, college, hospital, government agency and/or lab). Only investigators associated with a non-commercial institution will be eligible for NBDF grant funding.
The JGP fellowship recipient will be expected to spend at least 80% of their working time on the funded research project. The remaining 20% may be devoted to teaching and/or other clinical/research work at their institution. The JGP award recipient and his/her mentor(s) are expected to remain with their institution for the duration of the project being funded. Letters of support signed by appropriate officials of the institution will be required as part of the application.
NBDF is now accepting Letters of Intent for the Judith Graham Pool Postdoctoral Fellowship.
Starting in 2024, NBDF is only accepting proposals for research through Altum/Proposal Central.
Click the link below to create an account. Search "National Bleeding Disorders Foundation" and click Apply Now next to the program you are applying for.
Instructions will be emailed with submission requirements and instructions.
Letters of intent are closed for 2024. Please revisit this website in 2025 or subscribe for email notifications for future funding opportunities.
Funding
Overall funding for the JGP Fellowships is made possible through the generous contributions of NBDF chapters, individuals and other foundations. NBDF will award up to $52,000/year for a maximum of two years. Continuation for the second JGP year will be based upon the submission of progress reports and a continuation application.
Your support makes JGP Fellowships possible. To make your own contribution, click here.
Scope of Research
Permissible proposal topics include pre-clinical or basic science research on the biochemical, genetic or hematologic aspects of hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, or other inherited bleeding disorder. Other topics might include focus on joint disease/orthopedics, women’s health, or other therapeutic modalities pertaining to bleeding disorders.
Deadlines
Letters of Intent (LOIs) need to be submitted on institutional letterhead and will not be considered for review unless signed by the candidate. LOIs may be addressed to “Members of NBDF’s Research Review Committee,” be 1 to 1.5 pages in length, include a brief introduction of the candidate/researcher and ability to meet eligibility criteria (detailed above including the ability to devote, at least, 80% of time to the project), information about his/her mentor, and a brief description of the proposed research project. Letters must be accompanied by a CV (NIH-style Bio sketch preferred) for both the candidate and his/her mentor and submitted as a single PDF.
LOIs will be evaluated by members of NBDF’s Research Review Committee based on the candidate’s eligibility and relevance of the proposed research to the field of bleeding disorders. The committee will then collectively decide which candidates will be invited to submit a full application. The selected candidates will have until the designated deadlines above to submit their full JGP application to NBDF. Applications that do not arrive by the deadline will not be accepted.
JGP applications are subjected to a rigorous peer-review process that mirrors the National Institute of Health (NIH) process. Proposals are to be reviewed on scientific merit and scored in the areas of project significance, scientific approach, innovation, investigator qualifications, and research environment. Grantsmanship and evidence of mentor engagement is also prioritized in the review process.
Inquiries
All other inquiries regarding this or any other of NBDF's research grant programs can be addressed to Halli Benasautti, PhD, Director of Research Grants at hbenasautti@bleeding.org.