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AABB Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$0.3M
Grant Range
Up to $0.1M00
Decision Time
7mo
Success Rate
10%

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Historical total of over $12 million since 1983
  • Success Rate: Approximately 6 grants awarded annually from competitive pool
  • Decision Time: 6 months (December 1 deadline, June notification)
  • Grant Range: $0 - $100,000
  • Geographic Focus: International (worldwide applications accepted)

Contact Details

Address: 4550 Montgomery Avenue Suite 700, North Tower, Bethesda, MD 20814

Phone: +1.301.215.6552

Email: foundation@aabb.org

Website: https://www.aabb.org/foundation

Grant Application Portal: https://www.abstractscorecard.com/cfp/submit/login.asp?EventKey=XETLVFPK

Overview

The AABB Foundation Inc (EIN 88-1553314) is the philanthropic arm of AABB (Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies), originally launched as the National Blood Foundation in 1983. Over its 40+ year history, the Foundation has awarded more than $12 million in grants to fund the research work of more than 200 scientists in blood banking, transfusion medicine, and biotherapies. The Foundation was relaunched under its current name to strengthen its mission of advancing the field through critical funding for early-stage scientific research. Recipients of AABB Foundation grants have demonstrated exceptional success, ranking in the top 10th percentile for NIH R01 funding, indicating the Foundation's grants serve as effective springboards for scientific careers. The Foundation is supported by generous contributions from major blood centers, medical technology companies, and community foundations across North America.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Early-Career Scientific Research Grants: $100,000 maximum

  • One- or two-year research projects in blood banking, transfusion medicine, or biotherapies
  • Application period: July 1 - December 1 annually
  • Online application through dedicated grant portal
  • $160 application fee (waived for AABB members)
  • Fixed annual deadline

Process Development Grant: $100,000 maximum

  • One-year projects to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of blood- and biotherapies-related processes
  • Focus on operational improvements through innovative processes, techniques, or technologies
  • Applications accepted on a rolling basis when program is open
  • No career-stage restrictions (early-career or established investigators welcome)

Priority Areas

Research Focus Areas:

  • Immunology and immunohematology
  • Hematology and blood disorders (sickle cell disease, hemophilia, anemia, alloimmunization)
  • Infectious diseases (West Nile virus, SARS-CoV-2, malaria)
  • Biotherapies and cellular therapies
  • Patient blood management
  • Transfusion medicine

Process Development Focus:

  • Operational streamlining in donor and patient care settings
  • Donor engagement strategies
  • Diagnostic tool research and validation
  • Process validation studies
  • Pilot clinical studies with widespread adoption potential

What They Don't Fund

  • Investigators who have previously received an AABB Foundation early-career grant (one grant per investigator lifetime)
  • Investigators who have received substantial research grants (e.g., NIH R01) for early-career program
  • Projects submitted more than twice to the Foundation
  • Research involving human embryonic stem cells not listed on the NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry

Governance and Leadership

James D. Gorham, MD, PhD - President, AABB Foundation Board of Directors and Chair, Scientific Research Grant Review Committee. Dr. Gorham is an AABB Foundation 2000 Grant Recipient and Hall of Fame Member, bringing firsthand experience as a former grant recipient to his leadership role.

The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors/Trustees comprised of volunteer leaders from the blood banking and transfusion medicine community. The Scientific Research Grants Review Committee (GRC) conducts the peer review process and makes funding recommendations to the Board.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Early-Career Scientific Research Grants:

  1. Verify eligibility as an early-career investigator (within 10 years of terminal degree/medical residency, whichever is later)
  2. Confirm no previous substantial research grants (NIH R01 or equivalent)
  3. Purchase application fee ($160, waived for AABB members) through AABB store by December 1
  4. Submit complete application through online portal between July 1 and December 1 (11:59 PM ET deadline)
  5. Application must be in English
  6. Once submitted, no further edits can be made

Process Development Grant:

  • Applications accepted when program is open (check website for current status)
  • Preference given to AABB-accredited facilities
  • Worldwide applicants welcome
  • No application fee specified

Decision Timeline

Early-Career Scientific Research Grants:

  • Application period: July 1 - December 1
  • First-round review: Approximately half of applications advance based on initial scores
  • Committee meeting: March (full discussion of top-scoring applications)
  • Recommendation to Board: Top six highest-scoring proposals typically recommended
  • Decision notification: June (via online grants portal)
  • Grant period start: July 1 following award notification
  • Total decision time: Approximately 6 months from deadline

Process Development Grant:

  • Timeline varies based on program cycle; check with Foundation for current schedule

Success Rates

Approximately 6 grants are awarded annually for the Early-Career Scientific Research Grants Program from a competitive applicant pool. The exact number of applications received is not publicly disclosed, but the Foundation notes that about half advance past the first round of review, and approximately six proposals are ultimately recommended for funding. This suggests a highly competitive selection process.

Recipients rank in the top 10th percentile for subsequent NIH R01 funding, demonstrating the quality of selected projects and investigators.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication is encouraged with specific guidelines:

  • Unsuccessful applicants who meet eligibility criteria may resubmit
  • Maximum of two submissions for the same project
  • After two submissions, application for the same project will no longer be accepted
  • Resubmissions must include a reviewer response addressing each weakness identified in the previous critique
  • Many previously unfunded applicants receive funding after resubmitting a second application
  • Emphasis given to first-time applicants and second-time applicants with strong progress reports
  • All applicants receive detailed reviewers' critiques to guide revisions

Application Success Factors

Evaluation Criteria (directly from AABB Foundation):

  • Scientific merit and rigor
  • Relevance to and impact on transfusion medicine or biotherapies
  • Innovation and potential contribution to the field
  • Focus and appropriateness to scope of funding
  • Likelihood of yielding meaningful data
  • Clarity of research design and methodology

Foundation-Specific Guidance:

  • "Write clearly and concisely" - The Foundation emphasizes precise scientific language while maintaining accessibility
  • Address the specific research priorities: immunology, hematology, infectious diseases, biotherapies, or patient blood management
  • Demonstrate understanding of how research fits within broader transfusion medicine context
  • For Process Development Grants, show potential for widespread field adoption

Recent Funded Projects (2023 Examples):

  • Tessa Barrett, BSc (Hons), PhD: Perioperative bleeding and platelet studies
  • Elliott J. Hagedorn, PhD: Blood stem cell migration
  • Erika Marques de Menezes, PhD: Extracellular vesicles from platelets
  • Shang-Chuen Wu, PhD: Immune responses in transfusion medicine
  • Julia Z. Xu, MD, MScGH: Sickle cell disease transfusion effects
  • Patricia E. Zerra, MD: Factor VIII activation in hemophilia

Tips from Successful Applicants:

  • Ensure institutional support is documented (institution must administer grant)
  • Avoid incomplete applications - one of the most common mistakes
  • Provide sufficient detail in methodology sections
  • Clearly articulate research objectives
  • For resubmissions, systematically address every reviewer critique

Strategic Considerations:

  • Being an AABB member provides financial benefit (waived $160 application fee)
  • Affiliation with AABB-accredited facilities preferred for Process Development Grants
  • Foundation values projects that can lead to further funding (track record shows recipients excel at securing NIH R01 grants)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Highly competitive program: Only approximately 6 grants awarded annually from a large international applicant pool, with a rigorous two-stage review process
  • Career launching platform: Recipients rank in top 10th percentile for subsequent NIH R01 funding, making this an excellent stepping stone for early-career researchers
  • Resubmission can be successful: Many unfunded applicants receive funding on their second submission when they address reviewer critiques systematically
  • International scope welcomed: Despite US location, Foundation explicitly accepts applications worldwide with no citizenship requirements
  • Two submission limit: After two unsuccessful attempts for the same project, applications will no longer be accepted, so use critiques strategically
  • Long decision timeline: Plan for 6-month wait from December 1 deadline to June notification, with grant periods starting the following July
  • AABB membership beneficial: Saves $160 application fee and may provide networking opportunities with Foundation leadership and review committee members who are active in AABB

References

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