ASN to develop scholarship to increase number of historically disadvantaged scholars in nephrology

The American Society of Nephrology and the Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program have created an award program to increase the number of historically disadvantaged scholars from the field of nephrology who can achieve senior rank in academic medicine.

The AMFDP and the ASN will work together to support the research and career development of a kidney research scholar through a four-year, postdoctoral research award. The scholar receives an annual stipend up to $75,000, complemented by a $30,000 annual grant toward support of research activities. The scholar studies and conducts research in association with a senior faculty member located at an academic medical center. The application process is underway, with applications being accepted through March 18, 2015.

“ASN is honored to partner with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to support the Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program, an outstanding initiative that has greatly enriched medicine and science,” said ASN President Jonathan Himmelfarb, MD, FASN. “Promoting diversity and inclusiveness to enhance nephrology and improve patient care is key to ASN’s mission. The ASN-AMFDP program will increase diversity among future leaders in nephrology, promoting the innovation, creativity, and sensitivity that will advance health for all people living with kidney disease.”

The Harold Amos Program was created as the Minority Medical Faculty Development Program in 1983 by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to increase the number of faculty from historically disadvantaged backgrounds who can achieve senior rank in academic medicine or dentistry, and who will encourage and foster the development of succeeding classes of such physicians and dentists. The program defines the term “historically disadvantaged” to mean challenges facing individuals because of their race, ethnici