Clinical investigators are at the core of our progress toward improving the lives of people with cystic fibrosis through clinical and translational research. Clinical investigators advise the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Therapeutics Development Network (TDN) by participating on committees, guiding clinical trials as principal investigators or consultants, leading and serving their local Therapeutics Development Centers, and serving as CF advocates around the world.
The CF Foundation is pleased to continue a long history of supporting investigators through career development and training programs, research funding, and national service or leadership opportunities. We are committed to maintaining and broadening this support to ensure that a qualified pipeline of physicians and physician-scientists can continue to make important advances in CF research.
CF Foundation Career Support Programs
The figure below incorporates many of the Foundation's programs, which begin during specialty training and continue throughout an investigator's career. Those considering or already engaged in an academic career in CF are encouraged to explore these and other programs to help identify service and leadership opportunities or funding mechanisms that align with their professional goals.
Many of these programs are applicable to investigators from a variety of medical subspecialties (e.g., pulmonology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, nephrology, lung transplant surgery, etc.).
Additional details and policies for most of these programs can be found in Awards and Grants.
If you need more information or have questions about any of the following CF Foundation programs and funding opportunities, please email the Grants and Contracts office at grants@cff.org.
New Programs to Support CF Research and Academic Careers
Clinical Research Scholars Program
Through the Clinical Research Scholars Program (CRSP) Award, a select group of promising early and mid-career investigators are provided protected time to engage with the TDN Coordinating Center in Seattle, where they receive focused training and mentoring in CF
Structured training and mentoring include biannual meetings at the TDN Coordinating Center, plus monthly conference calls with mentoring teams from the center's leadership to help supplement the local resources of CRSP participants.
Partnering Senior Study Principal Investigators With Mentored Principal Investigators
Industry sponsors for research trials conducted within the TDN are expected to identify an academic investigator as the overall study
Requesting a Letter of Support Online
TDN investigators may need a letter of support from TDN leadership when they are being considered for academic promotion or other career opportunities. Investigators can directly request a letter of support highlighting their contributions within the TDN by logging into CFCRNet and searching for “letter of support” to download and complete the form.
Junior Members Invited to Join the Data Safety Monitoring Board
The Foundation's Data Safety Monitoring Board (
Career Advice and Networking for Career Development Awardees
The Foundation and TDN Coordinating Center hold a meeting at the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC) for current recipients of the Harry Shwachman Clinical Investigator and LeRoy Matthews Physician-Scientist awards. Established CF investigators and a select group of prior award recipients participate in this meeting to offer advice and answer questions regarding academic career development. During this time, awardees also have an opportunity to identify and network with colleagues.
The Foundation and TDN Coordinating Center recognize the fundamental role of academic investigators in CF clinical research. Please watch for new initiatives to support academic careers, and email the TDN Coordinating Center at tdncc@seattlechildrens.org with suggestions or questions related to this area of our mission.