The Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation strives to foster research that will have the greatest potential impact on Sjögren’s patients, ensuring new therapeutics are developed and a cure found.

To accomplish this goal, the Foundation focuses on encouraging and funding the best and most innovative research grants and student fellowships and advocates for increased research from U.S. government sources and medical centers around the world. A high priority is placed on both clinical and basic scientific research into the cause, prevention, detection, treatment, and cure of Sjögren’s, with support provided to investigators at every career level from student to junior investigator to senior-level leader.

SSF Research Funding Opportunities

In 2012, the SSF will change its grants program to solely focus on funding innovative concepts. As a result, all research grants will be Innovative Concept Grants and target support for the initial evaluation of hypotheses that reach beyond the current paradigsm of the topic areas of Sjögren's research. The Foundation wants to ensure that its funding is used to encourage new investigators to explore novel concepts and provide the data necessary for obtaining additional funding from other sources.

Grants will be awarded in the amount of $35,000 a year for two years, depending on satisfactory progress, and a human study that reviewers deem to be the most innovative project will be eligible for a $50,000 grant. All investigators will apply for the $35,000 grant. 

SSF research grants are open to basic and clinical scientists holding an advanced degree (MD, DDS, DMD, or PhD) at any U.S. university or research institution. Both junior and senior investigators may apply. For physicians, advanced clinical training in a specialty related to Sjögren’s, such as rheumatology or ophthalmology, is desirable.

The application receipt deadline is February 1 each year. The grant funding period is July 1 through June 30.

Donations Contribute to the Success of the SSF Research Grants Program

Thanks to the generous donations of SSF members, their friends and families, and many in the healthcare community, the SSF has funded more than$1.6 million in competitive research grants to prestigious academic investigators for the study of Sjögren's since 2003. This marks a 270% increase in research grant funding over that time period.

The Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation especially acknowledges the generous contributions from the Leach family and the Galewood Foundation who have supported Innovative Concept Research Grants and key medical and scientific initiatives since 2008 and 2009 respectively. Thanks to these donations, the Foundation has been able to offer an increased number of grants that reward exceptionally creative thinking to encourage breakthroughs in Sjögren’s research and benefit the four million Americans and many more worldwide who suffer from this devastating disease.

SSF Research Grant Funding Priorities

• Relevant to Sjögren’s
• High quality science
• Innovative, novel, and creative
• Preliminary data; probability of SSF seed money leading to an NIH grant
• Potential practical importance
• Outcome could define new therapeutic target in SS
• Collaborative aspects of project
• Focused and achievable in the time lines
• Author on peer-reviewed articles
• A young investigator who has already displayed a productive commitment to SS research and a potential career in the field
• Letters of recommendation (if required) praise commitment, focus, high standards, and excellence
• Financial support important for the salary support and execution of the research 

Research Grant Application