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New Research Grants to Address Preeclampsia

The Preeclampsia Foundation has officially announced its new funding initiative, inviting Letters of Intent for the Peter Joseph Pappas Research Grants program. This funding opportunity aims to address a critical issue in maternal health—the prevention of pre-term deliveries linked to severe preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, and related hypertensive disorders that affect pregnant women.

Objectives of the Grant Program

The primary goal of the Peter Joseph Pappas Research Grants is to stimulate research efforts aimed at eliminating the necessity for early deliveries in cases of severe preeclampsia. Aiming to allocate grants totaling $200,000 in 2025, the initiative honors the memory of Peter Joseph Pappas, who tragically lost his life shortly after birth due to preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. His parents, Lauren and Clement Pappas, have dedicated their efforts to preventing other families from facing similar tragedies.

Eligible researchers are encouraged to propose studies addressing significant gaps in the understanding of preeclampsia, as highlighted during a workshop facilitated by the Preeclampsia Foundation in partnership with the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in 2020. Research proposals may explore a range of topics, such as:

• - The biological pathways and subtypes associated with preeclampsia.
• - Innovations in diagnostic methods that could predict the onset of preeclampsia.
• - Therapeutic interventions designed to halt or reverse the organ dysfunctions linked to the syndrome.
• - Strategies aimed at improving the health of women before and between pregnancies to enhance perinatal outcomes.

In particular, preference will be given to research that utilizes existing data from the Preeclampsia Registry™, which houses self-reported data, whole exome sequences, and clinical information. Studies that can generate new data or biological materials to be added to the Registry are encouraged.

A Personal Mission

The Pappas family's dedication to this cause stems from their heart-wrenching experience. Lauren Pappas shares, "We lost our son Peter due to preeclampsia following a 29-week delivery. Since then, we have dedicated our lives to helping others avoid the same outcome by establishing the Peter Joseph Pappas Fund." Their commitment highlights the urgent need for further research and funding to improve outcomes for both mothers and babies.

Clement Pappas adds, "Thanks to the generous contributions from our family and friends, as well as our partnership with the Preeclampsia Foundation, we are making strides to reach our ultimate goal: eliminating pre-term births due to preeclampsia by 2050."

Application Details

Researchers interested in applying must submit their Letters of Intent by August 14, 2026, at 5 PM ET. Complete details regarding the application process and guidelines are available on the Preeclampsia Foundation's website at www.preeclampsia.org/research-funding.

About the Preeclampsia Foundation

Founded in 2000, the Preeclampsia Foundation is a non-profit organization based in the United States. Its mission focuses on enhancing the health outcomes of pregnant women by improving healthcare practices, raising awareness, and supporting research surrounding hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. The Foundation envisions a future where the risks associated with preeclampsia no longer threaten the lives of mothers and their children.

For more information on the grant program or to learn more about the Preeclampsia Foundation's initiatives, visit www.preeclampsia.org.