The HTRS Mid-Career Research Award is for clinicians, physician-scientists, or discovery-based scientists (MDs, DOs, PhDs, or MD/PhDs) with 5-to-15 years of academic research experience.
It provides $216,000 in funding for two-year clinical, translational, or basic science research projects in hemostasis and/or thrombosis and is designed to assist recipients in making the transition to full academic research independence and R01-equivalent funding. Eligible applicants must demonstrate a commitment to academic research careers in classical hematology and fulfill the following requirements: have an MD, DO, PhD, MD/PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree, hold an academic faculty position at an institution in the U.S. or Canada, have had significant career development award funding, be working toward and eligible to receive a first R01 or equivalent in the U.S. or Canada, and demonstrate a clear path by which the MCRA will support submission of an R01 or equivalent in the U.S. or Canada.
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Total Award
$216,000 USD over 2 years
Requirements
Award seekers must be HTRS Core-level members in good standing at the time of application.
Status & Deadlines
Letters of Intent Deadline: Friday, August 14, 2026, by 11:59 PM ET
Full Proposal Deadline: Friday, December 11, 2026, by 11:59 PM ET
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2026 Mid-Career Research Award Recipient
Award Recipient
BRIAN BRANCHFORD, MD
Pediatric Hematologist and Physician-Scientist | Versiti Blood Research Institute
2026 HTRS Mid-Career Research Award
Funded by HTRS
Project Title:
“Platelet-Derived Protein S Signaling Through TYRO3/MERTK in Platelet Activation and Thrombus Stability: A Pediatric Thromboinflammation Study”
Advancing Pediatric Thrombosis Research
Dr. Branchford’s research will advance understanding of the mechanisms underlying pediatric thromboinflammation and venous thromboembolism (VTE). His project will generate key mechanistic and translational data on platelet-derived Protein S and TYRO3/MERTK signaling.
The findings are expected to support the development of safer, pediatric-specific approaches to VTE prevention and treatment while positioning the research for future NIH R01-level funding.
A pediatric hematologist and physician-scientist, Dr. Branchford has dedicated his clinical and research programs to understanding and preventing venous thromboembolism in children, particularly in the setting of inflammation.
His training included a pediatric residency and chief residency at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and the Medical College of Wisconsin, followed by a fellowship in pediatric hematology, oncology, and bone marrow transplant at Children’s Hospital Colorado.
During his training, he gained research experience in von Willebrand factor biology, platelet biology, and murine thrombosis models. Over the past 15 years, his work has centered on thromboinflammatory platelet signaling, including the Protein S/GAS6-TAM receptor pathway, platelet activation, and thrombus stability.
Leadership and Collaboration
Dr. Branchford’s clinical and collaborative work includes leadership in institutional thrombosis initiatives and co-founding the Children’s Healthcare Advancements in Thrombosis (CHAT) Clinical Research Consortium, which studies hospital-acquired pediatric thrombosis and its risk factors.
He also represents the United States on the Executive Committee of the International Pediatric Thrombosis Network (IPTN).
His long-term goal is to build an independent, externally funded research program in non-malignant hematology that connects mechanistic platelet biology with pediatric thrombosis prevention.