nmdp logo

RFP Grant Announcement

NMDPSM Barbara Buchbinder Nurse Research Program

NMDPSM is once again proud to announce the request for applications for the NMDPSM Barbara Buchbinder Nurse Research Program. In honor of a beloved wife, mother and bone marrow transplant (BMT) nurse, the NMDP Barbara Buchbinder Nurse Research Program supports research performed by pediatric BMT nurses that improves the transplant experience and outcomes for pediatric patients. 

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) can offer patients hope for disease cure. However, pediatric patients require a unique and specialized approach to their care, reflecting their growth and development physically, socially, and psychologically. According to the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, only 4% of federal funding provided for cancer research is allocated towards treating childhood cancer, many of which require allogeneic HCT as best chance for disease cure. 

Not only do BMT nurses provide critical clinical care to pediatric patients undergoing allogeneic HCT, but also are involved in clinical investigation and trials. Through its emphasis on supporting pediatric BMT nurse investigators, the goal of the Barbara Buchbinder Nurse Research Program is to attract new nursing talent to the field and to support current nurse researchers. Buchbinder Scholars receive $25,000 within their award year from NMDP to pursue investigation that improves transplant experience and outcomes for pediatric patients.

Access the Application for the 2025 Barbara Buchbinder Nurse Research Program and Application Instructions.

2025 Requirements and Conditions of the NMDP Barbara Buchbinder Nurse Research Program

  • The research proposal must be relevant to allogeneic HCT or cellular therapy used to treat pediatric patients.
  • Research focus areas include basic science (pre-clinical, non-animal), translational investigation, supportive care, and survivorship. Applications addressing supportive care and survivorship needs in pediatric transplant recipients are highly desirable. 
  • Pre-clinical investigations include laboratory-based investigation designed to test the mechanisms, safety, and efficacy of an intervention prior to or in conjunction with its application in humans. Animal-based research will not be supported. Clinical investigations include observational human research, prospective interventional clinical trials in humans, and ancillary laboratory studies performed in conjunction with a human prospective clinical trial. 
  • All proposals must have only one principal investigator, the applicant. Co-investigators are acceptable but will not receive support from the award.
  • At this time, one grant totaling $25,000 will be awarded yearly for the Barbara Buchbinder Nurse Research Program. Payment will be made upon receipt and execution of the grant. The scholar will need to submit a progress report after one year and a comprehensive report after two years including an overview of research, results, highlights, and findings. Presentation of the work at a national meeting venue is expected with subsequent publication of the work being highly desirable. 
  • The expectation is that the scholar will remain at the same institution for the duration of the grant, or a portion of the grant will be subject to refund to NMDP if the scholar leaves prior to the agreed upon time frame.
  • Grant award recipients will use data, samples, physical collections, and other supporting materials solely for performing the research activities as defined under their grant award. Any other proposed use by the grant recipient will require prior written approval from NMDP.
  • Any presentation or publication incorporating the research supported by this award must acknowledge “This work was supported by the Barbara Buchbinder Nurse Research Program which is funded through the NMDP FoundationSM.”
  • Applicant requirements include:
    • Practice in the field of pediatric allogeneic HCT.
    • Obtained a nursing degree (ADN, BSN, MSN, NP, DNP, PhD) within the past ten years (January 1, 2015 or later).
      • For applicants with more than one relevant degree, eligibility will be based on the most recent degree achieved.
      • Applicants whose careers have been interrupted may request an extension of the degree requirement by completing an Extension Request Form.
    • Obtained APHON certification.
    • Not hold an NIH R01, R21 or equivalent research grant at the time of the award.
    • Hold a position in a U.S. facility at the time of the application and award.
    • Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or foreign citizen holding a valid U.S. visa.
    • Two (2) institutional support letters, one by primary mentor, BMT Director or Nursing Supervisor, as applicable.
    • Proposals must be submitted by 2:00 p.m. Central (CST) on or before Thursday, December 12, 2024.
    • A review panel will select one Buchbinder Scholar each year through 2028 based on existing funding. 

    The Buchbinder Scholar will be awarded and announced at the 2025 Tandem Meetings | Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Meetings of ASTCT and CIBMTR held February 12-15, 2025.

    If you have any questions, please reach out to us at BBGrant@nmdp.org.