← Back to US Funders Directory

The Medical Trust (Brody Family Medical Trust Fund)

Annual Giving
$0.1M
Grant Range
$70K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo
Success Rate
5%

The Medical Trust (Brody Family Medical Trust Fund)

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Approximately $140,000 (based on 2 fellowships at $70,000/year)
  • Success Rate: Highly competitive (up to 30 nominations annually for typically 1-2 awards)
  • Decision Time: Varies by institution; typically November-December
  • Grant Range: $70,000/year for up to 2 consecutive years ($140,000 total maximum)
  • Geographic Focus: Philadelphia region (Pennsylvania)
  • Application Method: Institutional nomination only

Contact Details

Administrative Contact: The Philadelphia Foundation 1234 Market Street, Suite 1800 Philadelphia, PA 19107 Website: www.philafound.org

Advisory Panel: The College of Physicians of Philadelphia (convenes selection panel)

Institutional Contacts:

  • University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine: Office of Biomedical Postdoctoral Programs
  • Drexel University College of Medicine
  • Temple University School of Medicine

Overview

The Medical Trust, formally known as the Brody Family Medical Trust Fund, was established by Sara Brody in memory of her brother Dr. Louis Brody (a police surgeon and family practitioner), her parents Dora and Hans Brody, her sister Ida Brody, and her brother Benjamin Brody. The fund is administered by the Philadelphia Foundation and has awarded fellowships since 2012.

The trust provides prestigious postdoctoral fellowships for early-career researchers investigating cutting-edge treatments for diseases that have substantial societal impact and for which no consistently effective cure currently exists. With assets of approximately $175 million (as of 2018) and annual grant distributions of over $11 million, the fund focuses exclusively on supporting full-time postdoctoral fellows conducting research at three Philadelphia-area medical schools: University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, and Temple University School of Medicine.

Past recipients have studied inherited blindness, ALS, Alzheimer's disease, Type I diabetes, heart disease, fibrosis, motor function related to spinal cord injuries, HIV, cancer, brain changes from alcohol consumption, and drug abuse effects on HIV infection.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Brody Family Medical Trust Fund Fellowships in Incurable Diseases

  • Amount: $70,000 per year for up to two consecutive years
  • Total per fellowship: Up to $140,000
  • Application method: Institutional nomination only (no direct applications accepted)
  • Frequency: Annual awards (typically 1-2 fellows per year)

Priority Areas

The fellowship exclusively funds research into:

  • Diseases with substantial societal impact
  • Conditions for which no consistently effective cure presently exists
  • Cutting-edge treatments and therapeutic approaches

Past Research Areas:

  • Inherited blindness and ocular gene therapy
  • ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Type I diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • Fibrosis
  • Spinal cord injuries and motor function
  • HIV and chronic infections
  • Cancer
  • Alcohol-related brain changes
  • Drug abuse effects on immune cells

Eligibility Requirements

Academic Requirements:

  • Must hold an MD degree and/or PhD
  • PhD applicants must have completed their degree by the award commencement date
  • PhD applicants who already possess their degrees must be in their first or second year of postdoctoral training at the time of application

Institutional Requirements:

  • Must be conducting research at one of three institutions: University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine (including BPP affiliates), Drexel University College of Medicine, or Temple University School of Medicine
  • For UPenn applicants: Must have an appointment at UPenn or be co-mentored by a UPenn faculty member
  • Only one Brody Fellow at a time will be funded per laboratory

Citizenship Requirements:

  • Must be a U.S. citizen, have permanent resident status, or demonstrate clear eligibility to remain in the United States legally for the duration of the fellowship

What They Don't Fund

  • Direct applications from researchers (must be nominated by institution)
  • Research at institutions other than UPenn, Drexel, or Temple
  • Non-postdoctoral positions
  • More than one fellow per laboratory simultaneously
  • Third-year extensions (maximum of two consecutive years only)

Governance and Leadership

Administration

The fund is administered by The Philadelphia Foundation, one of the country's oldest community foundations, with Pedro A. Ramos serving as President and CEO.

Advisory Panel

The Board of Managers of the Philadelphia Foundation is advised by a distinguished panel of physicians and scientists with expertise in medical research, convened by The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. This advisory panel reviews nominations and makes recommendations on fellowship awards.

Founder's Vision

According to Pedro A. Ramos: "For those who have been diagnosed with an incurable disease, these fellowship offers hope and a new perspective." The fund reflects Sara Brody's commitment to supporting early-career researchers who might make breakthrough discoveries in treating currently incurable conditions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This fund does not accept direct applications from researchers. The fellowship operates through an institutional nomination process.

Nomination Process:

  1. Each of the three eligible institutions (UPenn, Drexel, Temple) may nominate up to ten (10) candidates per year
  2. Maximum of 30 total nominees annually across all three institutions
  3. Researchers must apply through their host institution's internal process
  4. Institutions conduct internal reviews and select their strongest candidates to nominate

Application Components (institutional level):

  • Applicant's Personal Statement (maximum 600 words) describing inspiration for the project, prior research, personal experience, and future goals
  • Research proposal focused on incurable diseases
  • Faculty mentor information and support documentation
  • Evidence of eligibility (degree status, citizenship/residency status)

Decision Timeline

University of Pennsylvania Timeline (example from 2022-2023 cycle):

  • Internal institutional deadline: 12:00 noon, late September
  • Institutions submit nominations to College of Physicians: Early November
  • Fellowship decisions announced: Typically December or early following year
  • Award commencement: Varies by cycle

Note: Each institution may have slightly different internal timelines. Prospective applicants should contact their institution's research or postdoctoral office for specific deadlines.

Success Rates

  • Nominations accepted: Up to 30 per year (10 per institution)
  • Typical awards: 1-2 fellowships per year
  • Approximate success rate: 3-7% of nominated candidates
  • Total awards since inception (2012): Approximately 8-10 fellowships (as of 2019, it was noted that fellowships had been awarded "eight times")

The fellowship is described as "prestigious" and is highly competitive given the limited number of awards relative to nominations.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful nominees is not publicly available. Candidates should consult with their institutional postdoctoral offices regarding institutional policies on resubmission.

Application Success Factors

What the Funder Values

Focus on Incurable Diseases: The fellowship explicitly seeks research into conditions with "no consistently effective cure presently exists" and "substantial societal impact." Applications should clearly articulate why the disease area meets these criteria.

Early-Career Researchers: The fund targets "full-time postdoctoral fellows in the early stages of their research." Demonstrated early-career status is essential (PhD holders must be in first or second year of postdoctoral training).

Personal Connection to Research: The application requires a personal statement explaining "the particular inspiration for the proposed Fellowship project" and "how prior research, personal experience, background, and future goals make the applicant an appropriate candidate." Based on the founder's motivation (memory of family members), personal connections to the research area appear valued.

Successful Application Characteristics

Examples of Funded Research:

  • Dr. Katherine Palozola (2018): Gene therapy for inherited blindness, specifically developing in vitro models for ocular gene therapy - emphasized practical therapeutic applications
  • Dr. Gabor Egervari (2019): Brain changes from excessive alcohol consumption - focused on a major public health issue
  • Dr. Stephanie Matt (2019): Dopamine-mediated changes in HIV infection - addressed intersection of drug abuse and chronic disease

Common Themes in Successful Applications:

  • Clear therapeutic potential despite current lack of effective treatments
  • Significant societal health impact
  • Novel approaches or methodologies
  • Potential for breakthrough discoveries
  • Strong mentor support and institutional backing

Strategic Considerations

Institutional Support is Critical: Since institutions can only nominate 10 candidates each, securing your institution's nomination is the first hurdle. Strong relationships with faculty mentors and departmental leadership are essential.

Interdisciplinary Approaches: Several successful fellows have worked at intersections of different fields (genetics and ophthalmology, neuroscience and addiction, immunology and infectious disease), suggesting value in interdisciplinary approaches.

Mentorship Quality: Given that only one fellow per laboratory can be funded at a time, the reputation and track record of the faculty mentor likely factors into selection decisions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Institutional nomination is mandatory - you cannot apply directly; build relationships with your institution's postdoctoral office early
  • Timing matters - ensure you meet the early-career criteria (first or second year of postdoctoral training for PhD holders)
  • Disease selection is critical - focus must be on conditions with no effective cure and substantial societal impact
  • Personal narrative strengthens applications - the 600-word personal statement explaining your motivation and connection to the research is a key component
  • Competition is intense - with up to 30 nominations for 1-2 awards, institutional support and a compelling proposal are essential
  • Two-year commitment - proposals should outline a coherent two-year research plan (no third-year extensions considered)
  • Plan for internal institutional deadlines - institutional deadlines typically fall in September, months before the College of Physicians review
  • Only one fellow per lab - if your prospective laboratory already has a Brody Fellow, you are not eligible to apply until that fellowship concludes

Recent Fellows (Confirmed)

  • 2019: Dr. Gabor Egervari (UPenn) - alcohol-related brain changes; Dr. Stephanie Matt (Drexel) - drug abuse and HIV
  • 2018: Dr. Katherine Palozola (UPenn) - inherited blindness and gene therapy
  • 2012: Three inaugural fellows (names not available in public records)

References

← Back to US Funders Directory