President's Message

To stimulate high-risk, high-impact research into medically related problems, the NIH has established the NIH Director's Pioneer Award Program as part of the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research Project. This award is designed to encourage investigators to explore new avenues of research to improve health and the program will fund 5-10 individuals in its inaugural year. Notably, the award will be up to $500,000/yr for 5 years. Investigators early in their careers as well as established investigators are eligible but the program is not intended to support current research projects. Investigators are nominated and the eligibility criteria are: US citizenship but also non-citizen national or a permanent resident who is currently engaged in research with evidence of infrastructure support. Special emphasis will be given to Investigators who are early in their career and those who have not previously applied for NIH support.

The first phase of the application process is nomination of an investigator by a mentor, colleague, institution, or by self nomination. The nomination packet should include a letter explaining why the nominee should be considered exceptional and likely to pursue new avenues of inquiry directed at very challenging biomedical problems (maximum of 2 pages), plus a nominee's CV (also maximum of 2 pages). Nominations will be accepted from March 1, 2004 – April 1, 2004. Instructions on how to submit a nomination and more information on the Award Program, can be found here.

Clearly, we should identify and support young investigators addressing complex issues associated with kidney disease because this is a very important clinical problem. In short, I ask that you identify a competitive individual and consider nominating them. Only a single nomination packet may be submitted by an individual or by a group. In the latter category, the ASN could participate in the nomination. But, first things first... let's identify a candidate among our talented young investigators.

Sincerely yours,

William E. Mitch, MD
President
American Society of Nephrology

Save the Dates!

9th Annual Board Review Course & Update
August 28 - September 3, 2004
The Palace Hotel
San Francisco, California

Renal Week 2004
October 27 - November 1, 2004
America's Center
St. Louis, Missouri