The REACH Awards program, developed collaboratively by Bayer, Women in Nephrology (WIN), and the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), aims to advance high-quality research in heart and kidney diseases. This initiative supports healthcare professionals, fellows, clinical researchers, scientists, and epidemiologists who focus on improving cardiovascular and renal health. The program evaluates applications based on the innovation of the research, the quality of the proposal, and its potential to make a significant impact in the cardiorenal field.

The 2024/2025 cycle invites proposals addressing topics such as sex and gender differences in heart and kidney health, barriers to care for cardiovascular and kidney diseases, and the needs of underserved populations with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Other focus areas include the role of aldosterone in disease biology, guideline-directed medical therapies, implementation science, and patient-reported outcomes in CKD and T2D. Proposals with strong translational potential—those that can be directly applied to improving clinical care—are especially encouraged and will be given higher priority during the selection process.

Applications begin with a Letter of Intent (LOI), designed to screen the grant concept before a full proposal submission. The LOI submission deadline is December 13, 2024. After review by the Grants Review Committee, successful applicants will be invited to submit a comprehensive research protocol, including a detailed itemized budget, by March 15, 2025. Final recipients will be announced on April 15, 2025, following a fair market value assessment conducted by Bayer.

The Grants Review Committee, which includes independent experts from WIN and NKF alongside Bayer specialists in renal and cardiovascular medicine, evaluates all submissions. Reviewers from WIN and NKF are compensated for their efforts. The committee prioritizes proposals that address critical gaps in care and demonstrate potential for significant contributions to patient outcomes.

Key deadlines for this cycle include the December 13, 2024, LOI submission deadline, followed by LOI decision notifications on January 31, 2025. Research protocols must be submitted by March 15, 2025, and final award decisions will be communicated on April 15, 2025. The process provides participants with a streamlined approach to presenting their ideas while receiving valuable feedback from leaders in the field.

This program represents an exciting opportunity for researchers to contribute to advancements in the understanding and management of cardiovascular and kidney diseases. By fostering innovative projects with a clear clinical application, the REACH Awards seek to address key challenges in the field and improve outcomes for patients with complex medical needs. Interested applicants should prepare a compelling LOI that aligns with the program's objectives and key focus areas.