I failed. Again. And again.

2 big grants. Rejected.

2 years of relentless work — vanished in a puff.

But here’s the twist.

Something held my research together. Gave it a pulse.

My institutional T32 postdoc grant.

It protected my time. Kept the lights on. Gave me room to breathe.

And then, on the third attempt? Success.

If you’re staring down yet another “regret to inform you” letter, hang tight. You’re not alone, and more importantly, there’s a way forward.

No matter where you are — whether you’re just starting or you’ve been in the game for years — there’s a support path for you. You don’t have to do it alone.

From institutional grants to industry research funding, here’s a breakdown to help you secure the resources you need to fuel your journey.

1. Start with Institutional Research Funding

Begin where you are. Often, the most accessible support is right under your nose.

Options to Explore:

• T32 Postdoctoral Programs – These protect your time and let you dive deeper into your work.
• Career Development Grants (K12) – Funding in the early-career phase to help you build your research skills. The goal is to get external funding while on these.
• Small Awards – Don’t overlook them. During residency, a small award helped me buy the National Inpatient Sample database. That is what got me started in research.

Pro Tip: Some institutional career development grants allow for researchers on a visa to apply. Usually you are eligible to apply for small awards regardless of your visa status.

2. Government Funding: NIH, VA, and More

In the U.S., the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Veterans Affairs (VA) have a range of options. Most countries have similar agencies offering funding for early-career researchers.

NIH Funding Paths:

• F30/F31 – Great for graduate and medical students in training.
• F32 – Postdoctoral fellowships.
• T32 – Postdoctoral training funds.
• K23, K08, K25 – Development awards for career growth.
• K99/R00, R01, R03, R21 – Options from exploratory projects to major studies.

Pro Tip: Make sure to align your career stage and focus with the grant mechanism and agency. For those on a visa, K99/R00 is an option. I applied for EB-1 visa right after residency and secured permanent resident status which helped significantly.

3. Foundation Funding: Mission-Driven Money

Foundations are often mission-focused and driven to support research that aligns with specific goals, whether by field or disease.

Where to Look:

• Field-Specific Foundations – Consider the Rheumatology Research Foundation for those in rheumatology.
• Disease-Specific Funding – For areas like Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) and Spondyloarthritis (SpA), explore organizations like the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF), Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA), SPARTAN, and ASAS.

Pro Tip: Foundation funding opens doors if your research aligns with their priorities. Your niche may match a foundation’s mission, so keep digging.

4. Industry Partnerships: Beyond Clinical Trials

Industry funding doesn’t stop at clinical trials. Many companies fund observational studies, pragmatic trials, and exploratory projects that expand research horizons and help translate discoveries into practice.

Tips to Get Started:

• Look for observational studies and pragmatic trials that align with industry interests.
• Check for potential conflicts of interest if you’re involved in academic committees or public guidelines.

Pro Tip: Industry funding can amplify your research’s reach, but it’s a balancing act. Ensure partnerships align with your goals and values.

5. Philanthropy and Crowdsourcing: Unconventional Lifelines

When traditional funding isn’t enough, creativity becomes your best ally. Private donors, family foundations, or even the crowd can offer transformative support.

Key Options:

• Philanthropy – Private donors or foundations might support your work. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is a well-known example, focusing on global health, development, and education. Personally, some of my patients have been generous to contribute to my research.
• Crowdsourcing – Platforms like GoFundMe, Experiment.com, and Patreon allow anyone, anywhere, to contribute. These platforms build community around your work, creating supporters invested in your success.

Lesson: Philanthropy and crowdsourcing can lift your research to new heights. It’s not only about funding; it’s about building a network that believes in what you’re doing.

Start Where You Are, But Reach Higher

Look for every opportunity, explore every source, and persist through the rejections.

Each setback is a step closer to finding the right support to keep your work alive.

The journey isn’t always easy. But with the right support — transformative.