New $200K Grant Fuels Quest to End Pre-Term Births From Preeclampsia

MELBOURNE, Fla. – June 22, 2026 – The Preeclampsia Foundation has announced a new call for research proposals, committing up to $200,000 in funding through its Peter Joseph Pappas Research Grants program. The initiative aims to catalyze scientific breakthroughs that will ultimately eliminate the need for pre-term delivery as an intervention for severe preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, and related hypertensive disorders of pregnancy—conditions that pose a life-threatening risk to both mothers and their unborn children.

The foundation is seeking Letters of Intent for multiple two-year grants to be awarded in 2025. This funding represents a targeted effort to address one of the most dangerous and perplexing complications of pregnancy, driven by a deeply personal mission and a strategic focus on collaborative, data-driven science.

A Legacy Forged in Loss

At the heart of this scientific endeavor is a story of profound loss and unwavering dedication. The grant program is named for Peter Joseph Pappas, the firstborn son of Lauren and Clement Pappas of Philadelphia. Their son was delivered at just 29 weeks due to Lauren's development of severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome, a particularly dangerous variant of the condition. Peter did not survive.

In the face of their tragedy, the Pappas family chose to create a legacy of hope. "We lost our son Peter due to preeclampsia following a 29-week delivery," explained Lauren Pappas. "Since then, we have dedicated our lives to helping others avoid the same outcome by establishing the Peter Joseph Pappas Fund."

Through their partnership with the Preeclampsia Foundation and with the support of a community of family and friends, the fund has become a significant force in the field. It has already supported nearly a dozen studies exploring potential therapeutics, genetic markers, and the complex role of the placenta in preeclampsia's onset. The family has set a bold objective for their work. "We are making strides to reach our ultimate goal of eliminating pre-term births due to preeclampsia by 2050," added Clement Pappas.

Targeting a Scientific Enigma

Currently, the only definitive treatment for severe preeclampsia is delivery of the baby and placenta, a solution that often forces a difficult choice between the mother's immediate health and the risks of extreme prematurity for the infant. The Peter Joseph Pappas Research Grants program aims to find a third option: therapeutic interventions that can halt or reverse the disease process, allowing pregnancies to continue safely to term.

To achieve this, the grant criteria specifically target research gaps identified in a 2020 workshop co-sponsored by the Preeclampsia Foundation and the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM). Eligible proposals are encouraged to explore the underlying pathophysiological pathways of the disorder, develop better methods for prediction and diagnosis, and investigate novel therapeutic strategies to prevent the organ dysfunction that characterizes the condition.

A key element of the foundation's strategy is leveraging data. Preference will be given to research proposals that utilize or agree to contribute to the Preeclampsia Registry™. This unique and powerful resource combines self-reported patient data, clinical information, and whole exome sequencing data, creating a rich repository for researchers. By incentivizing its use, the foundation aims to accelerate the pace of discovery, ensuring that new findings are built upon a broad and diverse base of patient experience and biological information.

This approach is consistent with the organization's broader research goals, which have seen it invest over $2.5 million to date in catalyzing the field. Beyond the Pappas grants, the foundation also offers "Vision Grants" to seed-fund highly innovative, early-stage ideas, ensuring a continuous pipeline of fresh thinking.

A Foundation Built on Advocacy and Impact

Since its establishment in 2000, the Preeclampsia Foundation has grown into a formidable force for maternal health. Founded to give voice to what was once considered an "orphaned" disease, the non-profit has earned top ratings for its financial accountability and transparency, including a four-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Platinum rating from GuideStar. Under the leadership of CEO Eleni Tsigas, the organization has evolved from a small support group into a comprehensive advocacy, education, and research powerhouse.

Its impact is felt not only in labs but also in the halls of government. The foundation was a key player in the successful passage of the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act of 2018, landmark legislation designed to help states investigate and prevent maternal mortality. This advocacy is grounded in the sobering statistic that an estimated 60% of preeclampsia-related deaths are preventable with timely diagnosis and appropriate care.

To that end, the organization has distributed over 3.5 million pieces of patient education material, empowering women to recognize symptoms and advocate for themselves in clinical settings. Initiatives like its "Research Roundup" translate complex scientific studies into plain language, ensuring the community of patients and families remains connected to the progress being made on their behalf.

With this latest call for research proposals, the Preeclampsia Foundation and the Pappas family are not just funding science; they are investing in a future where no family has to choose between the health of a mother and her child. They are building a legacy for Peter Joseph Pappas that could one day protect countless others from the devastating impact of preeclampsia.