AKF's Research Collaborative
Interested in advancing research with real-world impact? AKF works with academic researchers, industry partners, clinicians, and nonprofit leaders to provide expertise, data resources, and collaborative opportunities.
The American Kidney Fund serves the 37 million Americans with kidney disease and all those at risk. People in underserved and minority communities are often underrepresented in clinical research. AKF has one of the largest patient-focused networks in nephrology through its financial assistance programs and AKF Ambassador program.
AKF's Research Collaborative formalizes what AKF already does: serving as a trusted partner for investigators seeking access to kidney patients, community-based infrastructure, survey and engagement capacity and policy expertise in kidney disease. The Collaborative provides a structured, transparent way for external partners to engage with AKF's network and capabilities to support patient-centered equitable research.
For more information on how to collaborate with us, please contact AKF's Senior Director of Clinical Education at research@kidneyfund.org.
We accept submissions annually between February 1 - March 31 and August 1 - September 30. Proposals received outside this window will be held for the next cycle.
Survey development and deployment
AKF has expertise in developing, fielding and analyzing patient-facing surveys at scale. Current and recent examples include:
Learn more about recently published research
- Three posters highlighting AKF core programs presented at 2024 Spring Clinical Meetings
- AKF presents posters on 'Step Forward: Living Well with Stage 3 Kidney Disease' course and patient and provider experiences with starting dialysis
- AKF presents posters on IgA nephropathy focus group study and Know Your Kidneys® Numbers Tool at 2025 Spring Clinical Meetings
- AKF presents three posters on challenges and educational needs within the kidney community at the American Society of Nephrology's Kidney Week 2025
- Two posters featuring AKF courses to be presented at the American Society of Nephrology's Kidney Week 2024
- Three posters highlighting AKF programs presented at 2023 Spring Clinical Meetings
- Two posters highlighting AKF core programs presented at the National Kidney Foundation's 2022 Spring Clinical Meetings
Collaborations with research partners
For research partners, AKF can provide:
- Co-development of survey instruments, including health literacy review and plain-language adaptation
- Translation and cultural adaptation (Spanish primary and additional languages case-by-case)
- Dissemination through AKF’s digital channels and audiences, with tracking and response management.
Who we collaborate with
Academic researchers
Access data, expertise, and partnerships to strengthen your research and expand its impact.
Industry partners
Accelerate innovation and solve real-world challenges through collaborative research and data insights.
Clinicians
Partner on research that informs practice, improves outcomes, and advances patient care.
Nonprofit leaders
Work together to generate evidence, inform programs, and drive meaningful change.
Scientific advisory and patient engagement expertise
AKF can facilitate structured patient input research design:
- Patient advisory group convening and facilitation for protocol review, consent form review, and outcomes prioritization
- Focus group facilitation (in-person and virtual)
- Patient co-investigator identification and support for grant applications requiring patient engagement documentation
- Scientific advisory input through AKF’s Chief Medical Officer, AKF’s Clinical Team, and Medical Advisory Committee
Advocacy, policy, and dissemination
AKF’s policy and communications infrastructure provides a dissemination channel that most academic investigators need access to:
- Co-authorship or endorsement of federal comment letters informed by collaborative research findings
- Congressional briefing support when research findings have legislative relevance
- Lay-language dissemination of study findings to kidney patient community (newsletters, social media, website, blog, webinars)
AKF’s Clinical Scientist in Nephrology (CSN) Program
For over 35 years, the AKF’s Clinical Scientist in Nephrology (CSN) Program has funded nephrology fellow researchers whose work is designed to improve diagnosis, treatment and outcomes for patients living with chronic kidney disease and has promoted clinical research in nephrology. Our CSN fellows conduct prevention and outcomes research while receiving advanced training in areas related to the AKF vision.
The CSN Program has trained some of nephrology's brightest scholars who have gone on to become leaders in the field and mentors to new generations of scientists studying kidney disease. Many former CSN fellows have conducted groundbreaking research that advances knowledge and treatment of kidney disease.
Let's achieve more together
From sparking new ideas to driving meaningful change, AKF is here to help you turn your goals into impact. Tell us about your research goals and we'll be in touch to explore how we can work together.
Organizational partnerships and initiatives
AKF maintains active relationships with organizations that may create secondary opportunities for research partners.
American Heart Association (AHA) Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) Initiative
AKF is proud to announce that we are a collaborator of the American Heart Association's Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health Initiative™. Through this collaboration, AKF and the Heart Association will raise awareness and knowledge about the connection between kidney disease and cardiovascular (heart) disease, two parts of a health condition called cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome.
Global Alliance for Kidney Health (GloPAKH)
AKF has been a proud member of the inaugural GloPAKH Steering Committee since its inception.
Global Alliance for Patient Access (GAfPA)
In February 2026, patient advocates, clinicians and members of the healthcare community from across the United States convened in Washington, DC for a roundtable on advancing actionable advocacy steps to prioritize blood health across chronic conditions.
GlomCon
AKF participated as Delphi process participant for Glomerular Disease Centers of Excellence
Nephrologists for Equitable Kidney Care (NEKC)
AKF is an active participant in the National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF)'s initiative Nephrologists for Equitable Kidney Care (NEKC), which is a collaborative network of nephrologists, healthcare professionals, and advocates who are dedicated to addressing disparities in kidney care.
Patient Advocacy Leaders and Drug Development Industry Network (PALADIN) Consortium.
AKF's Chief Program Officer is a founding member and on the executive committee of the Patient Advocacy Leaders and Drug Development Industry Network (PALADIN) Consortium, which supports establishing an effective relationship between patient advocacy groups and biopharmaceutical companies to develop consensus based guidelines, training and resources.
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Foundation
AKF's Chief Medical Officer is also the Director of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Centers of Excellence (COE) and has been a liaison to the PKD Foundation.