International Pediatric Nephrology Association

What International Pediatric Nephrology Association does

The International Pediatric Nephrology Association (IPNA) is a global nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1974 and headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic, with an operations office in Columbus, Ohio. It is the only organization worldwide providing comprehensive services for children with kidney disease, serving a professional membership of approximately 2,378 pediatric nephrologists, allied health professionals, trainees, and supporting specialists across 136 countries. IPNA operates through a federation of seven regional societies (AfPNA, ALANEPE, ANZPNA, ASPN, AsPNA, ESPN, JSPN) and delivers a portfolio of educational and research programs including the IPNA Global Curriculum, a Fellowship Program (340+ completed since 2003, trainees from 71 countries), Teaching Courses (300+ worldwide, 26 in 2025), Junior Master Classes, the Sister Renal Centers Program (15 pairs), and the JEMs Mentorship Program.

IPNA's core technology assets are digital platforms rather than proprietary software: the Global Curriculum platform (curriculum.theipna.org), the Global KRT Registry (ipna-registry.org, 34 countries), a member portal, and webinar infrastructure with real-time caption translation in 50+ languages via Wordly. The organization publishes the Pediatric Nephrology journal (since 1987, Springer, 2024 Impact Factor 2.6, 1.8M downloads in 2024) and the Pediatric Nephrology Textbook (8th edition, 2022).

IPNA's revenue model is a mixed non-profit structure. Core revenue comes from tiered annual membership subscriptions ($120 online / $185 print for standard members; free for trainees and members from low-income countries; reduced fees for LMIC members), with combined membership flows through regional societies. IPNA Affiliates and Associates each pay $25 individual or $250 departmental per year. Additional revenue includes biennial IPNA Congress registration fees (next: Kyoto, March 2027), Springer journal co-publication economics, and donations processed through the IPNA Foundation (including the 50 for 50 Campaign). The IPNA Partners Forum connects industry sponsors to association activities. Free membership for trainees and LMIC members is a deliberate mission-driven pricing decision rather than a revenue concession — it expands the network effect that anchors IPNA's long-term moat.

Name

International Pediatric Nephrology Association

Legal name

International Pediatric Nephrology Association

Website

https://theipna.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The International Pediatric Nephrology Association is a global nonprofit founded in 1974 that serves as the world's only comprehensive organization for pediatric kidney disease, providing education, training, research, and advocacy to ~2,378 medical professionals across 136 countries through fellowships, teaching courses, journals, and clinical guidelines.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical Professional Association Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Pediatric Nephrology (HLAKAHAH)

Keywords

• Pediatric nephrology education
• Medical fellowship programs
• Kidney disease research
• Medical association services
• Clinical practice guidelines

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership subscriptions with tiered pricing: Online only USD 120, Printed Journal USD 185 for standard members; reduced fees for low/lower-middle income countries; free for nephrology trainees and those from low-income countries.
2. Combined Regional Society Membership: Joint membership offerings with 7 regional societies (ESPN, JSPN, ASPN, ANZPNA collect fees through their offices; African, Asian and Latin American societies through IPNA).
3. IPNA Affiliates Membership: Departmental membership at $250/year for allied health professionals; individual membership at $25/year.
4. IPNA Associates Membership: Free membership for trainees; $50 annual membership for high income countries.
5. Congress Registration Fees: Substantial reduction in registration rates for IPNA Congresses for members. IPNA 2027 Congress in Kyoto.
6. Donations and Foundation Support: IPNA Foundation accepts donations. 50 for 50 Campaign to establish fifty donor funds. IPNA Office for Donations at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

IPNA is a global nonprofit medical association that delivers pediatric nephrology education, training, and research support to healthcare professionals worldwide. Its core offerings include tiered professional memberships, the IPNA Fellowship Program, Teaching Courses, Junior Master Classes, the IPNA Global Curriculum e-learning platform, the Pediatric Nephrology journal and textbook, the Global KRT Registry for pediatric kidney replacement therapy data, and a biennial international congress.

Product overview

The International Pediatric Nephrology Association (IPNA) is a global nonprofit organization providing a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs, resources, and initiatives for pediatric nephrology professionals. The core offerings include the IPNA Global Curriculum (educational platform for standardized training), the Fellowship Program (6-12 month training fellowships for physicians from developing countries), Teaching Courses (1-2 day educational events worldwide), and Junior Master Classes (3-year accredited curriculum with regional society collaboration). IPNA publishes the Pediatric Nephrology Journal (monthly, Impact Factor 2.6) and Textbook (8th edition 2022), and maintains the IPNA Global KRT Registry (collecting kidney replacement therapy data from 34 countries). Additional programs include the Sister Renal Centers Program (1:1 center partnerships), JEMs Mentorship Program, IPNA Journal Club (Zoom-based discussions), Webinars with real-time translation via Wordly, IPNA Congress (biennial international meeting), and various membership categories including IPNA Affiliates (allied health professionals) and IPNA Associates (supporting specialists). The organization also supports World Kidney Day initiatives and the Saving Young Lives joint project for acute kidney injury care in low-resource settings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IPNA Foundation: The charitable arm of IPNA that handles financial support, donations, and campaigns such as the 50 for 50 Campaign for the benefit of IPNA programs.

Products and services

• IPNA Standard Membership Annual professional membership subscription for pediatric nephrologists. Tiered pricing: USD 120 for online-only access or USD 185 with printed Pediatric Nephrology journal. Includes journal access, webinars, teaching courses, congress discounts, and global curriculum access. Members in low/lower-middle income countries receive significantly reduced fees.
• IPNA Affiliates Membership Membership program for allied health professionals in pediatric kidney care including nurses, dietitians, dialysis technologists, pharmacists, psychologists, and physician assistants. Provides shared teaching resources, clinical protocols, webinars, document repository, and institutional recognition. Individual membership at $25/year; departmental membership at $250/year covering unlimited team members.
• IPNA Associates Membership Membership group for doctors involved in care of children with kidney disease beyond dedicated nephrologists, including general pediatricians, neonatologists, intensivists, urologists, transplant surgeons, and pathologists. Free for trainees; $50 annual membership for high-income countries. Includes access to shared teaching resources, clinical protocols, webinars with global experts, document repository, mentorship, and the Nephropathology Group.
• IPNA Fellowship Program Flagship educational initiative since 2003 that helps disseminate pediatric nephrology expertise across underserved areas of the world. Regional fellowships for pediatricians from developing countries, who train for 6-12 months at advanced medical centers under pediatric nephrologist mentors. 340 fellowships completed since 2003 with fellows from 71 countries.
• IPNA Teaching Courses One of IPNA's flagship educational programs supporting high-quality pediatric nephrology education worldwide. Brings together local, regional, and international experts to provide practical, interactive learning opportunities tailored to the needs of the host region. 26 teaching courses organized in 2025; 300+ courses held worldwide; over 5,000 healthcare providers trained since 2013.
• IPNA Junior Master Classes Advanced teaching in pediatric nephrology provided as a joint initiative with Regional Societies. The classes follow a 3-year curriculum with lectures given by IPNA and Regional Society teachers, accredited by EACCME for 9-15 European CME credits. Hosted across 4 continents since 2014.
• IPNA Global Curriculum A globally accessible educational platform with a unified structure for Pediatric Nephrology training, providing standardized learning resources, best practice guidelines, and opportunities for knowledge exchange to support the development of future Pediatric Nephrologists worldwide. Accessible to all active IPNA Members.
• Pediatric Nephrology Journal Official monthly journal of IPNA published by Springer Berlin/Heidelberg since 1987 (ISSN: 0931-041X Print, 1432-198X Online). Covers all aspects of acute and chronic diseases affecting renal function in children, including hypertension and fluid electrolyte metabolism. 2024 Impact Factor 2.6 with 1.8M downloads in 2024.
• Pediatric Nephrology Textbook The premier 8th edition (2022) reference text published by IPNA in conjunction with Springer, covering clinical diagnosis and management of kidney diseases in children. Editors: Francesco Emma, Stuart L. Goldstein, Arvind Bagga, Carlton M. Bates, and Rukshana Shroff. IPNA members receive 25% discount on Springer Books.
• IPNA Global KRT Registry An international platform that collects geographic, demographic, diagnostic, and outcome data on pediatric kidney patients receiving kidney replacement therapy. Currently used by pediatric nephrologists in 34 countries to join the registry and establish their own national KRT registry, increasing quality and breadth of information on pediatric end stage kidney disease worldwide.
• IPNA International Congress International Congress of Pediatric Nephrology held every 2 years for members to discuss basic science, clinical science, and clinical practice. 21st Congress scheduled for March 9-13, 2027 in Kyoto, Japan. Reduced registration rates for IPNA members; 1,373 attendees at IPNA Congress in Calgary, 2022.
• IPNA Webinars Teaching platform highlighting current practice and cutting edge research in pediatric kidney disease management. Features interactive formats including Ask the Experts, IPNA Journal Club, and committee-led symposia with live Q&A and on-demand viewing. Includes real-time captions via Wordly in over 50 languages.
• IPNA Journal Club A pediatric nephrology journal club using the Zoom platform to discuss the latest updates, journal articles, and guidelines. Previously a Twitter journal club (#IPNAJC) started in July 2022 to cover multiple time zones for global participation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 340 fellowships completed since 2003 with trainees from 71 countries
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• International Society of Nephrology (ISN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISN is a primary partner in the Saving Young Lives initiative along with ISPD and IPNA. The collaboration aims to stop children and adults from dying of acute kidney injury by providing acute dialysis in low-resource settings. ISN also collaborates on Grand Rounds in Pediatric Nephrology and Sister Renal Centers Program upgrades.
• International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISPD is a primary partner in the Saving Young Lives initiative along with ISN and IPNA, united by the shared goal of preventing deaths from treatable acute kidney injury in low-resource settings.
• KDIGO (Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKDIGO collaborates with IPNA on joint webinars including KDIGO CKD guidelines discussions and management of nephrotic syndrome. IPNA and KDIGO co-develop clinical practice recommendations for pediatric kidney diseases.
• ERA (European Renal Association)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerERA collaborates with IPNA on guidelines development including Alport syndrome management guidelines and the aHUS guideline development process.
• SFNDT (Société Francophone de Néphrologie et Dialyse et Transplantation)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSFNDT is a supporting partner in the Saving Young Lives initiative alongside ISPD, ISN, and IPNA.
• APSN (Asian Pediatric Nephrology Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAsPNA is one of 7 regional societies belonging to IPNA. The collaboration includes joint Junior Master Classes, teaching courses, and fellowship programs. Dr. Tadasu Sakai and Fumio Yamashita (Japan) were core founding members.
• ESPN (European Society for Paediatric Nephrology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESPN is one of 7 regional societies belonging to IPNA. The societies collaborate on Junior Master Classes, congresses, and guidelines. ESPN collects combined membership fees through its office.
• ASPN (American Society of Pediatric Nephrology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASPN is one of 7 regional societies belonging to IPNA. They collaborate on Annual Global Health Online Symposia and ASPN collects combined membership fees through its office.
• ALANEPE (Asociación Latinoamericana de Nefrología Pediátrica)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerALANEPE is a regional society of IPNA with approximately 500 members. Founded in 1981, it gathers doctors specialized in Pediatric Nephrology in Latin American countries. Combined membership is processed through IPNA.
• ANZPNA (Australian and New Zealand Paediatric Nephrology Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANZPNA is a regional society of IPNA. A non-profit organization devoted to care, prevention, education and research of kidney diseases in children. ANZPNA collects combined membership fees through its office.
• AfPNA (African Paediatric Nephrology Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFPNA was created in 2000 with the first meeting in Cairo, Egypt. Includes 18 French-Speaking African countries in a French-Speaking African Paediatric Nephrology Network. IPNA has been instrumental in training young paediatric nephrologists 'in Africa for Africa'. Combined membership processed through IPNA.
• JSPN (Japanese Society for Pediatric Nephrology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJSPN was founded in 1967 as a nonprofit corporation to enhance study and practice of pediatric nephrology. JSPN collects combined membership fees through its office.
• Springer NaturemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpringer is the publisher of the Pediatric Nephrology journal and textbook (8th edition 2022). IPNA members receive 25% discount on Springer Books. The journal has 2024 Impact Factor of 2.6 and 1.8M downloads.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• European Society for Paediatric Nephrology (ESPN): ESPN is one of IPNA's seven regional societies, focused on pediatric nephrology across Europe. ESPN directly overlaps IPNA's mission, jointly runs Junior Master Classes, congresses, and guidelines, and collects combined membership fees — making it the most comparable direct peer.
• African Paediatric Nephrology Association (AfPNA): AfPNA is IPNA's regional pediatric nephrology society covering Africa, including 18 French-speaking countries. It is a directly comparable peer sharing IPNA's training and education mission, and IPNA processes AfPNA's combined membership.
• Japanese Society for Pediatric Nephrology (JSPN): JSPN is IPNA's Japan-focused regional pediatric nephrology society, founded in 1967. JSPN collaborates on combined membership, regional guidelines, and joint congresses, making it a directly comparable peer serving the same specialty in a defined geography.
• American Society of Pediatric Nephrology (ASPN): ASPN is IPNA's North American regional pediatric nephrology society. It runs parallel educational programming, jointly hosts the Annual Global Health Online Symposia with IPNA, and collects combined membership fees, making it a directly comparable peer in mission and structure.
• Asian Pediatric Nephrology Association (AsPNA/APNA): AsPNA is IPNA's regional pediatric nephrology society for Asia, jointly conducting Junior Master Classes, teaching courses, and fellowship programs. It is directly comparable to IPNA at a regional level, sharing the same subspecialty focus and educational mandate.
• Latin American Pediatric Nephrology Association (ALANEPE): ALANEPE is IPNA's regional society for Latin America with ~500 members, founded in 1981. It is directly comparable to IPNA as a regional pediatric nephrology society, offering combined membership and joint educational programming.

Broad incumbents

• KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes): KDIGO develops global clinical practice guidelines for kidney diseases and co-develops pediatric guidelines with IPNA. It is a broad incumbent that overlaps with IPNA's guideline and education mission but serves all of nephrology rather than specializing in pediatrics.
• International Society of Nephrology (ISN): The ISN is the global umbrella society for all nephrology, addressing adult and pediatric kidney disease worldwide. IPNA and ISN are core partners on the Saving Young Lives initiative and Grand Rounds, making ISN the natural broad incumbent that overlaps IPNA's mission but at a wider scope.
• International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD): ISPD is a core partner in the Saving Young Lives initiative with IPNA and ISN. While broader in scope (dialysis modalities across all ages), ISPD overlaps with IPNA on pediatric AKI education and dialysis training, and shares donors and congress audiences.
• ERA (European Renal Association): ERA is the broad European nephrology association, collaborating with IPNA on Alport syndrome and aHUS guidelines. It is a broad incumbent in the same clinical specialty space, with overlapping but non-identical mission scope (adult-focused).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IPNA_PedNeph
• Facebookfacebook.com/IPNA.PedNeph

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Pediatric Nephrology Association