Press release
American Kidney Fund Launches Research Collaborative to Accelerate Equitable, Patient-Centered Research
New program provides kidney disease researchers with access to AKF's patient community, survey capabilities, policy expertise and research support resources
ROCKVILLE, Md. (Aug. 3, 2026) — Today the American Kidney Fund (AKF) announced the launch of the AKF Research Collaborative, a new initiative designed to bridge the gap between scientific investigators and the kidney patient community.
The AKF Research Collaborative formalizes a structured pathway to help trusted partners design and refine equitable, patient-centered kidney research, addressing common research challenges by providing access to AKF's community-based network, established survey and patient engagement capabilities, policy expertise and a large patient community.
"Patients are at the center of the American Kidney Fund's mission, and we believe clinical research starts and ends with the patient who is living with kidney disease," said LaVarne Burton, President and CEO of the American Kidney Fund. "The AKF Research Collaborative represents our commitment to ensuring that the next generation of kidney research is not only scientifically rigorous, but culturally accessible and informed by the lived experiences of the millions of Americans living with kidney disease."
Research Collaborative services and expertise:
- Survey development and deployment
- Collaborations with research partners including health literacy review, cultural adaptation, language translation, dissemination and tracking
- Scientific advisory and patient engagement expertise including structured patient input on research design
- Advocacy and policy expertise to incorporate research findings in legislative efforts
Research proposals submitted to the Research Collaborative undergo an evaluation process to ensure alignment with AKF's mission to fight kidney disease and help people live healthier lives.
Investigators, academic institutions and researchers can learn more by visiting AKF's Research Collaborative | American Kidney Fund.
About the American Kidney Fund
The American Kidney Fund (AKF) fights kidney disease on all fronts as the nonprofit with the greatest direct impact on people with kidney disease. AKF works on behalf of the 1 in 7 American adults living with kidney disease, and the millions more at risk, with an unmatched scope of programs that support people wherever they are in their fight against kidney disease—from prevention through post-transplant living. AKF fights for kidney health for all through programs that address early detection, disease management, financial assistance, clinical research, innovation and advocacy. AKF is one of the nation’s top-rated nonprofits, investing 96 cents of every donated dollar in programs, and it has received 24 consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator as well as the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, formerly known as GuideStar.
For more information, please visit KidneyFund.org, or connect with AKF on Facebook, Bluesky, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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