PFF Scholars Program

PFF Scholars Program

Funds early-career investigators advancing pulmonary fibrosis science through the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.

⚠ This may reflect a past cycle — verify the current call on the funder's site.

The PFF Scholars Program is the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation's primary investigator-support grant, providing up to $100,000 over two years to early-career researchers advancing scientific understanding of pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial lung disease. Established in 2019 — replacing the Foundation's earlier Junior and Established Investigator Award structure — the program accepts proposals across the full research continuum: basic science, translational, clinical, epidemiological, and health services research. Review is conducted by the PFF Research Review Committee, composed of international experts, with selection based on scientific merit, innovation, and responsiveness to program goals.

Applications are submitted through ProposalCentral (proposalcentral.com). For the 2026 cycle, the Letter of Intent deadline was May 29, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET; the full application deadline had not been published on the program landing page at the time of research. The award is structured as $100,000 over 24 months, with no stated floor — the up-to framing suggests the full amount is standard rather than a competitive variable. Geographic eligibility is not explicitly restricted, and the presence of international experts on the review committee is consistent with international applications being acceptable.

The PFF Scholars Program is best suited to investigators at the inflection point between mentored training and independent funding — those seeking their first externally reviewed research award in the ILD/pulmonary fibrosis space. Competitive applications will demonstrate a well-defined research question, a clear 24-month execution plan, and alignment with the Foundation's patient-outcome and therapeutic-development priorities. The program's two-year duration and relatively focused award amount make it a strong bridge grant ahead of larger NIH R01 or foundation-level funding.