Biomarkers Grants

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Frontotemporal Dementia Drug Discovery Program
The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) and The Association for Frontotemporal Dementias (AFTD) seek to accelerate and support drug discovery for FTD and related dementias through this Request for Proposals (RFP.
Research investigating the pathologic mechanisms of neurodegeneration in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and related disorders has advanced recently, creating new potential targets for drug discovery.
Examples of programs appropriate for this RFP include, but are not limited to:
• Identification and in vitro testing of potentially disease modifying lead compounds
• Development and testing of novel high throughput screening assays
• Medicinal chemistry on lead compounds
• Testing of lead compounds in a relevant animal model for preclinical proof of concept
• ADME, toxicology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics on lead compounds
• Development and testing of targeted gene delivery strategies
• Development of biomarkers to accelerate drug development and early diagnosis
PLEASE NOTE: THIS FUNDING WILL NOT SUPPORT APPLICATIONS FOR BASIC RESEARCH
MECHANISM(S) OF SUPPORT
ADDF/AFTD will provide individual grants for one year duration with the possibility of follow on funding. Applications may be submitted by non-profit academic institutions and for-profit biotechnology companies, both public and private, worldwide. Collaborative teams of neuroscientists and researchers in drug discovery disciplines such as medicinal chemistry and drug delivery are also encouraged to apply.
REVIEW PROCESS
The deadline date for applications is September 22nd, 2008. Applications will be confidentially reviewed by ADDF and an external Scientific Review Committee, including AFTD scientific advisors. Applications from biotechnology companies will also be reviewed by ADDF’s external Business Advisory Board. Award-winners will be publicly announced in April 2009.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
All applications must be submitted electronically at www.AlzDiscovery.org.

Follicular Lymphoma Correlative Clinical Studies Award
Lymphoma Research Foundation is seeking proposals for correlative clinical studies in follicular lymphoma (FL).

Applications to this initiative must be adjunct to a major FL research project and work in the clinical setting or with primary FL patient samples. LRF is awarding two correlative clinical study awards, each at a maximum of $125,000 per year for three years.

New York Office:
115 Broadway, 13th Floor
New York, NY 10006
Phone: (212) 349-2910, (800) 235-6848
Fax: (212) 349-2886

Los Angeles Office:
8800 Venice Blvd, Suite 207
Los Angeles, CA 90034
Phone: (310) 204-7040, (800) 500-9976
Fax: (310) 204-7043

3-Year (2009-12)
Follicular Lymphoma Research Initiative Grant
Guidelines and General Instructions for Application
KEY DATES:
Application Release Date: June 1, 2008
Letter-of-Intent Receipt Date: August 1, 2008
Application Receipt Date: September 10, 2008
Peer Review Dates: September 19 – Oct 17, 2008
Applicant Notification Date: March 2009
Earliest Project Start Date: July 1, 2009
SUMMARY:
The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) seeks
innovative proposals for its LRF Follicular
Lymphoma Initiative. The goal of this LRF initiative
is to develop novel therapeutic strategies for the
treatment of follicular lymphoma (FL). To
accomplish this, the LRF seeks proposals that
advance the understanding of the human biology of
follicular lymphoma or that verify molecular targets
for follicular lymphoma therapeutics. The LRF also
believes that coordination of efforts in the
development of therapeutics is needed to accelerate
the pace of research in follicular lymphoma.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES:
Proposals are welcome in all areas related to follicular lymphoma including etiology,
prevention, pathogenesis, novel therapeutics, translational research including genomics,
proteomics, or biomarkers, clinical trials and outcomes studies. However, the LRF is
particularly interested in receiving proposals in the following areas in follicular
lymphoma:
1. Advancing the understanding of the human biology of follicular lymphoma;
o Understanding of how drug and antibody resistance develops in follicular
lymphoma
o Understanding why aggressive transformation occurs
o Developing ways to prevent aggressive transformation
2. Verifying molecular targets in pre-clinical models for follicular lymphoma
therapeutics;
o Develop assays to measure human FL tumors
o Develop preclinical models that mimic human FL
o Identify or validate molecular targets in human FL tumors or preclinical
models
o Targets to characterize in FL may include, but are not limited to, kinases and
signal transduction pathways, novel cellular targets for development of
monoclonal antibodies, developmental and differentiation pathways, protein
degradation pathways and the proteasome, or transcriptional regulation
ELIGIBILITY:
All principal investigators holding an academic faculty appointment, at non-profit
organizations, or public or private institutions such as universities, colleges, hospitals,
and laboratories, may apply for funding through the LRF Follicular Lymphoma
Initiative. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply for LRF funds, however, should
one of these types of institutions have a relevant therapeutic or research project, they
should contact LRF management to discuss possible public-private partnerships.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
LRF requires prospective applicants to submit a letter of intent (LOI) in order to be
eligible to submit a full proposal. Proposals submitted without a LOI will not be
reviewed. The LOI should include the following:
• Cover letter including name, address, and telephone number of the PI, other key
personnel, and participating institutions;
• Abstract of proposed project, including descriptive title (please do not exceed 350
words);
• Applicant's biosketch.
LRF will perform a preliminary review of these materials to confirm eligibility and the
appropriateness of the proposed research project.
All interested applicants must submit their LOIs online through proposalCENTRAL
(https://proposalcentral.altum.com ) by August 1, 2008.
The full LRF application will be available in early August only for those individuals who
successfully submit a letter of intent by the deadline and are confirmed to be eligible.
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT:
Applications may not exceed $250,000 per year total costs, including indirect costs.
Proposals may be for up to 3-years in duration. The LRF intends to fund 2 applications
for this special research initiative.