Krupp Center for Integrative Research (KCIR) members are eligible to apply for a Krupp Award. If this is your first time applying for an award, ensure you have completed a membership application to become a KCIR member. The KS is an award of up to $50,000 per year for 1-2 years. The KL is an award of up to $150,000 per year for 1-3 years. Available funds vary each year, ranging from $100,000 to $450,000/year. KL are fewer in number and therefore more competitive than KS level grants. Applications will be prioritized when they meet the KEF primary aim and objective. Based on their adherence to the following criteria, projects may be invited to submit a full application:

Primary Aim

To support research that examines the benefits of natural, complementary and alternative medicine and integrative medicine approaches that show the greatest promise of bettering human health for the largest number of people, at the lowest cost, without the use of prescription drugs or surgery.

Primary Objective

To support innovative clinical research in the fields of diet/nutrition; medicinal food and herbs; homeopathy; and food derived macro- and micronutrients (which include vitamins and minerals).

Promote active involvement of patients in their own care
Address the health needs and conditions and/or involve the participation of those with limited means
Utilize inexpensive, readily available, and natural approaches, treatments, and products
Incorporate a team approach to care (e.g. group-based intervention programs)
Involve Centers for Integrative Health (CIH) patients or those who participate in CIH clinical, nutritional, or educational programs

Focus on diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of common, clinically significant, or costly health conditions (in which introduction of a natural CAM/IM approach could improve clinical outcomes, ameliorate suffering, or reduce costs) without the use of prescription drugs or surgery
Address the use of one or more Complementary, Alternative, or Integrative Medicine (CAM/IM) approaches in the fields of natural diet (may also include lifestyle focus if part of a comprehensive diet and lifestyle program); medicinal foods and herbs; food-derived macro- and micronutrients (which include vitamins and minerals); and homeopathy
Other CAM/IM research projects will be considered on merit after all existing work in the fields above have been exhausted

Self-contained research projects that generate pilot data needed to design a larger, more definitive study
Clinical studies that bring credibility to previous low-level research already done by others.
Clinical studies that also employ a basic science component to determine biological mechanisms of CAM/IM approaches
Epidemiologic (observational) investigations of effects of CAM/IM use on important health outcomes in specific patient populations
Health services research addressing cost, utilization, or satisfaction with CAM/IM care

Review of Full Applications

Full applications (if invited) will be subject to a comprehensive scientific and programmatic review. The following scoring criteria will be used for the reviews during the evaluation of these proposals:

Scientific Review

Significance: Addresses a major health issue or key barrier in the field.
Innovation: Proposes novel ideas or methods that shift current practice.
Approach: Clear, feasible strategy with sound methods and backup plans.
Environment: Strong scientific and clinical setting supports success.
Investigator(s): Team has the expertise, training, and track record to execute the project.

Programmatic Review

Strategic alignment with stated Krupp aims, objectives and priorities
Efficiency and responsibility in use of grant funds
Demonstration of greatest impact to society and future research, if funded

Begin the Application

Formally begin the process with a Letter of Intent (LOI). Outline the research question, target population, methods, and how your work advances integrative health. LOIs are evaluated based on eligibility, scientific merit, cost efficiency, and programmatic impact.

APPLY NOW

Membership

Interested in getting your research funded?

Becoming a member of the Krupp Center for Integrative Research (KCIR) connects you to a collaborative research community focused on integrative health and offers opportunities to mentor emerging investigators.

KCIR Members receive:

Early access to funding announcements
Invitations to an annual strategy meeting on future research directions
Opportunities to mentor new investigators
Mentors may serve as co-investigators or as non-collaborating advisors

Research Membership

To apply for membership and qualify for research funding, you must:

Be a UC San Diego faculty or staff member
Be a member of the Krupp Center for Integrative Research (KCIR)
Click below to join the team!

Apply Now

About Us

ABOUT US

Thanks to the generosity and vision of Richard "Dick" Krupp, UC San Diego has established the Krupp Endowed Fund (KEF). The primary aim of the KEF is to support research examining natural complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine approaches that show the greatest promise for bettering human health for the largest number of people, at the lowest cost, without relying on prescription drugs or surgery. Watch the video below to learn more about our history and mission.

From One Man’s Healing Journey To a Lasting Commitment to Research and Integrative Health

Richard “Dick” Krupp grew up with chronic asthma and modest means, but his life changed when he began exploring health and nutrition through the work of pioneers like Adele Davis and Carlton Fredericks. Turning to natural approaches—diet, herbs, vitamins—he dramatically improved his own health and began sharing these methods with others, seeing similarly powerful results.

Believing that millions could benefit from natural healing, he sought to back these approaches with scientific research. In 1997, he established a trust at UC San Diego and later expanded his support through a transformative gift to the UC San Diego Center for Integrative Medicine. Inspired by the Center’s mission to serve all communities, he also helped bring Frazier Farms, a natural grocery store, to San Diego.

Dick passed away on January 1, 2015. His generosity and belief in the healing power of food continue to shape the future of integrative health through the Krupp Endowed Fund.

Meet the Team

Gordon Saxe, MD, PhD, MPH

Director, UC San Diego Krupp Center for Integrative Research

Shahrokh (Shah) Golshan, PhD

Co-Director, UC San Diego Krupp Center for Integrative Research

Lauray MacElhern, MBA

Managing Director, UC San Diego Centers for Integrative Health

Research Executive
Committee

Shahrokh (Shah) Golshan, PhD
Nigel Crawford, PhD
Lauray MacElhern, MBA
Chris D'Adamo, PhD
Gordon Saxe, MD, PhD, MPH

Research Team

Tatyana Shekhtman, MS, PMC
Phoebe Senowitz, M.Ed., NBC-HWC, CHES
Renu Sugathan
Kathleen Bundy, MS, RDN
Chloe Delgado Ramirez, BA
Jessica Matthews, DBH, NBC-HWC, DipACLM
Leslie J. Sebastian

Krupp Committee

Joshua Shelton (Chair)
Larry Cooper, Esq.
Daniel Vicario, MD
Cindy Leeder, DC
Lauray MacElhern, MBA
Z’ev Rosenberg, LAc
Gordon Saxe, MD, PhD, MPH

Active Members

Seema Aceves, MD, PhD
Sanjay Agarwal, MD
Hossein Ansari, MD
Ellen Beck, MD
Ryan Bradley, ND, MPH
Tim Brown, PhD
Ru Bryan, PhD
Laura Buehning, MD, MPH
Marcia Ellison, PhD
Lauren Foster, PhD
Alessandra Franco, MD, PhD
Linda Hill, MD, MPH
Suzi Hong, PhD
Chad Hutchison, MSN, RN
Wonkyu Ju, PhD

Carrie Jung, MD
Hyeoneui Kim, RN, MPH, PhD
Hollis King, DO, PhD
David Kunkel, MD
Thomas Liu, PhD
Emily Lukacz, MD
Lauray MacElhern, MBA
Paul Mills, PhD
Sonia Ponce, MD
Erin Raskin, MS, LAc, DACM
Ravinder Reddy, MD
Byron Richard, MS, RD, CDE
Gordon Saxe, MD, PhD, MPH
Jeffrey Schwimmer, MD
Dorothy Sears, PhD

David Shannahoff-Khalsa
Tanya Shekhtman
I-Wei Shu, MD, PhD
Amy Sitapati, MD
Mamata Sivagnanam, MD
Daniel Slater, MD
Radhika Sundararajan, MD, PhD
Pam Taub, MD
Robert Terkeltaub, MD
Luke Thompson, PhD
Francisco Villarreal, MD, PhD
Kenneth Vitale, MD
Sonya Wang, MD
Robert Weinreb, MD
Linda Zangwill, PhD

Preoperative Flavanols Supplementation in Elderly Patients to Reduce Inflammatory Markers and Improve Mitochondrial Function

Led by Dr. Byron Fergerson, Clinical Professor and Vice Chair of Anesthesiology at UCSD Health, this study evaluates a flavanol-based supplement aimed at supporting recovery and overall health in patients 50 years or older preparing for hip or knee replacement surgery.

Study Activities

Participants will complete two in-home blood draws, take one 500 mg capsule daily for 14 days, log their intake, and answer questionnaires.

Participant Benefits

While direct health benefits cannot be guaranteed, the flavanol supplement may reduce inflammation and support antioxidant activity. Other possible benefits include improved cognition, mood, and recovery. Participants may receive up to $100 upon completion.

Eligibility Criteria

Age 50 or older
Reside in San Diego County
Scheduled for hip or knee replacement surgery

Additional Information

Additional eligibility requirements may be reviewed with the study coordinator, please contact us for screening.

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