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National Bleeding Disorders Foundation

Annual Giving
$18.4M
Grant Range
$15K - $0.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Research Funding: $18.4+ million total (over $9.7M through JGP program)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by program (peer review process)
  • Grant Range: $15,000 - $125,000 per year
  • Geographic Focus: United States
  • Application Method: Online portal (Altum/Proposal Central)

Contact Details

Address: 1230 Avenue of the Americas, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10020

Phone: 212.328.3700 (main) | 888.463.6643 (toll-free)

Email:

Website: https://www.bleeding.org

Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET

Overview

Founded in 1948 as the National Hemophilia Foundation and rebranded in August 2023, the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation (NBDF) is dedicated to finding cures for inheritable blood and bleeding disorders through research, education, and advocacy. The organization has invested more than $20 million in research to advance bleeding disorder treatments, with over $18.4 million funded to date, including $9.7 million through the prestigious Judith Graham Pool Fellowship program. In 2024, NBDF awarded $22 million in research fellowships to support groundbreaking work toward finding cures. The organization supports a network of 141 federally funded hemophilia treatment centers nationwide and connects families through 50 chapters across the country. NBDF operates under the tagline "Innovate | Educate | Advocate" and is led by President and CEO Phil Gattone, M.Ed., who joined in February 2024. The foundation is top-rated by CharityWatch and meets governance and transparency benchmarks from multiple charity watchdog organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Judith Graham Pool (JGP) Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

  • Amount: $52,000 annually for two years
  • Focus: Basic science and pre-clinical research investigating biochemical, genetic, or hematological aspects of bleeding disorders
  • Topics: Hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, other inherited bleeding disorders, hepatitis/liver disease, HIV/AIDS, joint disease/orthopedics, women's health, or other therapeutic modalities
  • Eligibility: Early-career physicians and PhDs focusing on preclinical and basic science research
  • Established: 1972

NBDF-Sanofi Career Development Award (CDA)

  • Amount: $60,000 per year for up to three years (formerly $70,000 for Established Investigator Awards)
  • Focus: Innovative research studies at sub-cellular, cellular, animal model, and human/patient study levels
  • Target: Promotes development of infrastructural resources and innovative studies by established investigators
  • Eligibility: Candidates must hold M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent degree and be assistant professor (or equivalent) with up to six years experience since completion of training

Bridge Award for Bleeding Disorders Research

  • Amount: $125,000 for one year
  • Focus: Support for hematology investigators whose NIH R01 or equivalent federal grants were scored but not funded
  • Research Types: Basic, translational, patient-oriented, and outcomes-based research related to inherited bleeding disorders

Innovative Investigator Research Award (IIR)

  • Amount: $60,000 for 12-18 months
  • Focus: Projects from hemophilia treatment center (HTC) multidisciplinary teams developing outcomes-related data

Excellence Fellowships (Nursing, Physical Therapy, Social Work)

  • Amount: $15,000 for 12-18 months
  • Focus: Research and clinical projects led by healthcare providers in clinical treatment center settings
  • Specific Programs:
    • Nursing Excellence Fellowship: Up to $13,500 for RNs conducting nursing research or clinical projects in bleeding disorders care
    • Physical Therapy Excellence Fellowship: Research related to care of people with bleeding disorders
    • Social Work Excellence Fellowship: Up to $10,000 for psychosocial research or clinical projects

Application Method: Rolling applications through Altum/Proposal Central online portal

Priority Areas

  • Basic science research on bleeding disorder mechanisms (Factor VIII and IX interactions, genetic factors)
  • Inhibitor development prevention and treatment in hemophilia A and B
  • Joint health and injury mechanisms in bleeding disorder patients
  • Women's health and heavy menstrual bleeding in bleeding disorders
  • Quality of life and mental health for people with bleeding disorders
  • Aging experiences with hemophilia
  • Emergency preparedness for bleeding disorder patients
  • Clinical care improvements and outcomes research
  • Healthcare provider training and education, especially for rural providers
  • Exercise and physical therapy interventions
  • Primary care screening and integration

What They Don't Fund

  • Commercial institution applications (only non-commercial institutions and investigators associated with non-commercial institutions are eligible)
  • Projects unrelated to inheritable bleeding disorders

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Philip M. Gattone, M.Ed. - President and Chief Executive Officer (February 2024-present)

  • Quote: "This is an era of unprecedented opportunity, and I look forward to continuing to grow NBDF's impact and capacity to serve our community. Together, we will break down barriers to better health and equity, and create resilient, inclusive communities where everyone can thrive."

Dr. Len Valentino, MD - Former President and CEO (2020-2024)

  • Led initiatives including the first Health Equity Summit, Research State of the Science, National Research Blueprint, and Pathway to Cures
  • Quote: "I am particularly proud of the collaborative effort to bring the Research State of the Science to fruition. The program led to the publication of excellent manuscripts that articulate not only the gaps in care but positive areas for continued collaborative research to close these gaps for people living with these disorders and led to the National Research Blueprint for NBDF."

Maria Santaella - Vice President of Research Strategy

  • Quote on 2024 awards: "Together, we're not just funding research—we're funding hope."

Halli Benasautti, PhD - Director of Research Grants (hbenasutti@bleeding.org)

Board of Directors

Ryan Griffith - Board Chair

  • Entrepreneur with 20+ years experience, co-founder of multiple businesses, father of son with severe hemophilia A with inhibitor

Susan Hartmann - Vice Chair

  • Program Director at Enterprise Community Partners, advocate for HIV education and reproductive rights

Dr. Amy Dunn, MD - Chair of Medical and Scientific Advisory Council (MASAC)

  • Professor of Pediatrics at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Director of Pediatric Hematology
  • Named National Hemophilia Foundation Physician of the Year in 2020

Dr. Paulette Bryant, MD - Board Secretary

  • Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist, retired Navy Captain

Dr. Joseph Alioto, MD - Board Treasurer

Additional Board Members: Joseph J. Helfert II, Kelly Wornall, Lucas Taylor, Megan Lee, Paul Empey, Dr. Peter Kouides, Richard Metz, Sharon Richardson, Tamsen Bhachech, Ziva Mann, and Paxton Mills (NYLI Representative)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Starting in 2024, NBDF only accepts research proposals through Altum/Proposal Central:

  1. Create an account on the Altum/Proposal Central platform
  2. Search "National Bleeding Disorders Foundation"
  3. Click "Apply Now" next to the program you are applying for
  4. Follow emailed instructions with submission requirements

Applications open annually, typically in early spring (February-March for the following year's funding cycle).

Contact for Questions: Halli Benasautti, PhD, Director of Research Grants at hbenasutti@bleeding.org

Decision Timeline

All applications undergo a rigorous peer-review process:

  1. Applications are critiqued on scientific merit and relevance to NBDF research priorities
  2. Reviewed and scored on: significance, approach, innovation, investigator qualifications, and research environment
  3. Panel selected by the Research Working Group (volunteer scientific and lay leaders) reviews applications
  4. NBDF Medical and Scientific Advisory Council (MASAC) reviews recommendations
  5. NBDF Board of Directors grants final funding approval

Specific decision timelines vary by program but typically involve several months for the complete review process.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly disclosed. All awards are described as "competitive grants awarded through a stringent peer-review process."

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not explicitly stated in public materials. Applicants should contact the research grants office for guidance on resubmission after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

What NBDF Funds Successfully

Based on 2024 funded projects, successful applications demonstrate:

Strong Scientific Innovation: Dr. Huong Chau's research on inhibitor development mechanisms in hemophilia B and Dr. Bhavya Doshi's work on immune mechanisms and biomarkers represent cutting-edge approaches to critical problems.

Clinical Relevance: Projects that directly impact patient care are prioritized, such as Dr. Marisa Brake's work identifying new therapeutic targets through tissue factor research and CC Cook's project addressing care gaps for individuals with heavy menstrual bleeding.

Healthcare System Improvements: Louise Baca's project developing training programs for rural healthcare providers and John DeLoach's study on exercise's impact on vascular access address real-world care delivery challenges.

Career Stage Appropriate: JGP fellowships support early-career investigators, while Career Development Awards support established investigators with demonstrated track records.

Review Criteria

According to NBDF, applications are evaluated on:

  • Significance: Importance of the problem addressed
  • Approach: Scientific methods and feasibility
  • Innovation: Novel concepts, approaches, or methodologies
  • Investigator: Qualifications and track record
  • Environment: Institutional support and resources

Strategic Alignment

NBDF's research priorities emphasize:

  • Advancing knowledge from basic science to clinical care
  • Supporting the multidisciplinary hemophilia treatment center team
  • Generating outcomes-related data
  • Addressing health equity and access gaps
  • Supporting the continuum from postdoctoral training through established investigator careers

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Multi-career stage support: NBDF offers funding opportunities from postdoctoral fellows ($52,000) to established investigators ($125,000 Bridge Awards), allowing applicants to identify the program matching their career stage
  • Institutional affiliation required: Only non-commercial institutions and affiliated investigators are eligible; commercial entity researchers cannot apply
  • Use Altum/Proposal Central exclusively: Paper applications are not accepted; all submissions must go through the online portal starting in 2024
  • Contact the research office early: Director Halli Benasautti welcomes inquiries at hbenasutti@bleeding.org and can provide guidance on program fit
  • Align with review criteria: Explicitly address significance, approach, innovation, investigator qualifications, and institutional environment in your proposal
  • Demonstrate clinical relevance: Even basic science projects should articulate potential clinical impact or connection to patient care improvements
  • Consider the multidisciplinary audience: Proposals are reviewed by both scientific experts and lay leaders, so clarity and broader impact matter
  • Strong institutional support essential: The "environment" criterion means having documented institutional resources, mentorship, and support enhances competitiveness

References

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