Brain Disorders 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.

NOVEL APPROACHES TO DRUG DISCOVERY FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Scope of the Program
The objective of this Request for Proposals (RFP) from the biotechnology industry and academia is to catalyze and accelerate the discovery and development of innovative and effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. The program will fund high throughput screening of novel targets to identify hits and leads, lead validation and optimization through medicinal chemistry, and pre-clinical in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation, including pharmacology, toxicology, pharmacokinetics, formulation chemistry and the conduct of pre-clinical “proof of concept” studies.
A KEY FUNDING PRIORITY IS THE SUPPORT OF AD DRUG DISCOVERY IN EMERGING BIOTECH COMPANIES
The total number of grants awarded will be dependent upon the numbers, quality and costs of applications received. Proposals covering two years may be submitted, although the second year of funding will be contingent upon progress of the completed work, the investigator’s second-year work-plan, and the numbers and quality of competing proposals. Only one year of funding will be guaranteed. Former recipients of ADDF and ISOA funding are eligible to apply.
Funding Mechanism
If the award recipient is a biotechnology company, ADDF shall provide the grant funding in the form of a convertible note, an equity investment or a recoverable grant based on mutually agreed and negotiated terms.
If the award recipient is an academic institution, then ADDF shall provide funding in the form of an academic grant with terms that provide the Foundation with a return on its investment in the event of commercial success as a result of the research program funded by the Award as negotiated and mutually agreed.
Reporting Requirements
Scientific and financial progress reports are due every six months after the start of the award. A final report of research activities and expenditures is due at the termination of the funding period.
Eligibility Criteria
The proposed research may be conducted at a registered public or private biotechnology company or at any type of not-for-profit academic setting and the Principal Investigator must hold an MD or PhD degree.
Application Guidelines and Selection Criteria
All applications and supporting materials must be received by October 1, 2008. Applications will be reviewed by a Scientific Review Committee (SRC) and a final decision will be made by December 31, 2008.
The following criteria will be used to determine the merit of an application:
• Merit and feasibility of the proposed research and its relevance to drug discovery and development for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Qualifications of the scientific staff conducting the studies.
• Excellence of the research environment, including the availability of a multidisciplinary research team comprised of neuroscientists, medicinal chemists, pharmaceutical scientists, and the necessary animal models, facilities and equipment required for drug discovery and drug development. Research can be outsourced and consultants employed where appropriate and adequately justified.
• Likelihood that the project will lead to advancement in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Application Procedures
Application forms are available at www.AlzDiscovery.org.

The New Therapy Grants Program seeks to advance the development of specific new therapies including new medicines and therapeutic devices. Consistent with the theme of translational research, all grant proposals must demonstrate a clear path from the lab to the patient.

Letter of Intent due: AUGUST 1, 2008
If the LOI is accepted, APPLICATION is due: SEPTEMBER 15, 2008
Background
The Epilepsy Research Foundation was created through a unique partnership between two leading epilepsy non-profit organizations, the Epilepsy Therapy Project and the Epilepsy Foundation. Additional support is provided by the Milken Family Foundation and Finding a Cure for Epilepsy and Seizures (FACES). The mission of the Epilepsy Research Foundation is to drive the development of new therapies for epilepsy, accelerating the advancement of research from the laboratory to the patient. The Epilepsy Research Foundation provides grants supporting the research and development of new therapies in both academic and commercial settings worldwide.

ERF grant awards are supplemented by support from: Finding a Cure for Epilepsy and Seizures (FACES) and the Milken Family Foundation Translational Research Awards.

New Therapy Grants Program
The New Therapy Grants Program seeks to advance the development of specific new therapies including new medicines and therapeutic devices. Consistent with the theme of translational research, all grant proposals must demonstrate a clear path from the lab to the patient. Other areas of consideration include but are not limited to:

Seed funding for preliminary and targeted work deemed necessary to explore novel therapeutic approaches
Projects which if successful offer a clear path to downstream development
Proposals that support the commercialization of exceptional academic research projects
Research to bring new approaches and therapy to children
Preference will be given to proposals that already have a commercial partner engaged to assist with development and to proposals that have committed or matched funding from the sponsoring institution, commercial partner or other third party source. Proposals for research originating from outside the United States are welcome.

Address questions to grants@epilepsytherapyproject.org.

Investigators must submit a Letter of Intent by August 1, 2008.
The deadline for receipt of full Grant proposals is September 15, 2008.

Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer’s Disease
Caregiving Legacy Awards

GENERAL INFORMATION
Bestowed with a grant from The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation, Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) is pleased to oversee the first annual Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Legacy Awards program.

Award Background:
In the past two years The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation undertook a review of issues facing caregivers of adults with Alzheimer’s disease. In June 2007, the Foundation published an expert panel discussion report Strengthening Caregiving for Alzheimer’s Disease that outlined promising practices, research recommendations and key principles for caregiver support. The report can be found on The Foundation website: thegilbertfoundation.org. It is against this backdrop that The Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Legacy Award was initiated. It is intended to promote those principles and stimulate innovation in the field of Alzheimer’s caregiving by recognizing and rewarding those efforts which lead the way in addressing the needs of Alzheimer’s caregivers. 2008 is the first year of the award program which is envisioned to be an annual affair.

Award Details:
Three awards of $20,000 each will be awarded to nonprofit organizations, government agencies or universities responding to a community need with a program or project which focuses primarily on family caregivers of adults with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. One award will be granted in each of these categories:

Creative Expression: This award will go to programs or projects that use imaginative and creative approaches in supporting informal caregivers or persons with dementia. Some examples are programs or projects using art, music, theatre, journaling, multimedia (e.g. film, documentary, radio) or other types of creative expression.
Diverse/Multicultural Communities: This award will go to programs or projects that provide services, support or other types of outreach to informal caregivers in diverse ethnic, rural, low income and LGBT or other communities.
Policy and Advocacy: This award will go to programs or projects that advocate for systems change for the benefit of informal caregivers or care recipients with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. These efforts could focus on legislation, executive or administrative changes, advocacy campaigns, or any other action to strengthen the public or private sector’s recognition and support of informal caregivers.

Award Timeline:
Online applications will be available on June 16, 2008 on the Family Caregiver Alliance website at www.caregiver.org The closing deadline is 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time August 15, 2008. Award announcements will be made in November 2008. Awardees will be honored at a reception hosted by Family Caregiver Alliance at a date and place to be determined. They will also be invited to present information about their winning programs/ projects at a national conference. Travel stipends will be available for the conference.

The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation
The mission of The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation is to invest in programs that promote education, tolerance, social services, healthcare and the arts. The Foundation builds on the ideals and pursuits of its founders, Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert. In addition, The Foundation funds Arts Education & Culture in Los Angeles, Jewish programs in Los Angeles, and universities in California. In the area of Alzheimer's disease, The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation focuses its grant-making on the advancement of research by junior investigators in the United States and Israel and investments in Alzheimer's disease caregiving. Visit http://www.thegilbertfoundation.org/ for more information.

Family Caregiver Alliance
Established in 1977, the Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) supports and assists caregivers through education, services, research and advocacy. FCA programs support and sustain the important work of families and friends caring for loved ones with chronic, disabling health conditions. The National Center on Caregiving, established at FCA in 2001, is working to advance the development of high quality cost- effective policies and programs for caregivers in every state of the country. Visit www.caregiver.org or call (800) 445-8106 for more information.

Eligibility and Submission Conditions:
Nonprofit organizations, government agencies and universities responding to a community need with a program/project that focuses primarily on family or informal caregivers of adults with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are eligible to apply. Family or informal caregivers are unpaid caregivers. The term includes family members, friends, domestic partners and neighbors. Support for family caregivers need not be the primary mission of the organization, agency or university.
Nonprofit applicants must submit proof of their 501(c) (3) status or other nonprofit status by attaching a copy of their nonprofit designation letter to their application. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply.
The nominated program/project has to have been active during the calendar year of 2007 and/or 2008. If the program/project involves a major culminating event, that event must have occurred prior to application deadline.
The applicant or other designated program /project representatives must be willing to share information about their program with others, including a potential workshop presentation at a national professional conference and writing up additional information to appear on FCA’s website and/or future publication. Award winners may also be asked to provide information about how the award was used to further advance the mission of the organization, agency, or university.
Application must be received by the deadline of 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, August 15, 2008.
Applicants must apply electronically using the designated online system.
Applicants must designate the category in which they would like to be considered. Applicants are competing only against others within their chosen category. If the judges feel that the applicant would be better suited for another category, they will contact the applicant directly.

Review Process:
Applications will contain a series of questions about the project/ program being nominated. These questions will correspond to the four major areas on which programs/projects will be judged. These are:

Rationale/Purpose – Did the project or program address a real need in the community?
Innovation – Was the project or program innovative or unique by responding to an unmet need, building on prior research, adapting an existing program in a new way or incorporating innovative collaborations?
Impact – Did the project or program have an impact in the community and how was success assessed?
Replication/Dissemination – Does this project or program have the potential to be replicated, can it have a continued use through dissemination, were there successful elements or lessons learned that can serve as a guide for others attempting to achieve a similar goal?
Each category will be weighed equally. Applicants should follow the online application instructions in preparing a succinct description of their submitted program/project. Finalists may be contacted to provide additional information or materials. Expert judges will objectively assess and score applications. Final recommendations will be made to The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation.

Family Caregiver Alliance . 180 Montgomery St, Ste 1100, San Francisco, CA 94104
phone: (415) 434.3388 . (800) 445.8106 . fax: (415) 434.3508

Alzheimer's Foundation of America Family Respite Care Grant

AFA’s Family Respite Care Grant helps alleviate the cost of respite care for families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Funds may be used for in-home care, adult day programs or other types of respite.

Individuals may only apply for this grant through one of AFA’s participating nonprofit member organizations, and AFA will only accept applications mailed from that member organization’s office. Applicants must meet specific requirements.

This grant is offered in the spring and fall of each year; for consideration, applications must be postmarked by:

Spring cycle – May 1

Fall cycle – November 1

The amount of each of these grants may change each year. Therefore, it is best to check with AFA for the most up-to-date information prior to applying. However, as a baseline, in 2007:

AFA awarded Family Respite Care Grants of $1,000 each to dozens of families in need of financial assistance for respite care and other care services.

You may contact AFA at 866-232-8484

Alzheimer's Foundation of America
322 8th Ave., 7th Fl.
New York, NY 10001

Bi-Annual Grant
AFA’s Bi-Annual Grant offers funding to AFA’s nonprofit member organizations for new or existing programs and services that improve the lives of those living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, and their families.

This grant is offered during the spring and fall of each year; for consideration, applications must be postmarked by:

Spring cycle – February 1

Fall cycle – August 1

Funds may be awarded to more than one organization during any given cycle. In the past, for example, we have funded programs such as: support groups in rural areas, cognitive stimulation activities, a prescription assistance program, training for healthcare professionals, and startup or expansion of Project Lifesaver, a rapid response system to track wanderers.

The amount of each of these grants may change each year. Therefore, it is best to check with AFA for the most up-to-date information prior to applying. However, as a baseline, in 2007:

AFA awarded Bi-Annual Grants of $5,000 each to a total of 27 organizations nationwide in the two cycles.

You may contact AFA at 866-232-8484

Alzheimer's Foundation of America
322 8th Ave., 7th Fl.
New York, NY 10001

Robert Katzman, MD, Clinical Research Training Fellowship in Alzheimer's Research
The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Foundation and the Alzheimer's Association are pleased to announce the Robert Katzman, MD, Clinical Research Training Fellowship in Alzheimer's disease research, a two-year fellowship. The fellowship is supported by the AAN Foundation and the Alzheimer's Association.

Mailing Address
Mail application materials to:
AAN Foundation
Attn: Terry Heinz
Grants Administrator
1080 Montreal Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55116

 

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Foundation is pleased to announce five two-year fellowships to support clinical research training in the neurosciences. The fellowships are supported by the AAN, the AAN Foundation, and the AAN Foundation Corporate Roundtable.

Mailing Address
Mail application materials to:
AAN Foundation
Attn: Terry Heinz
Grants Administrator
1080 Montreal Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55116

The Marian Kies Memorial Award is presented to a junior scientist for outstanding research conducted during graduate training. The award is named in memory of Marian Kies who devoted much of her energy and enthusiasm to fostering the development of young scientists. The award consists of a $1,500 cash prize and the opportunity to organize a symposium at the American Society for Neurochemistry Annual Meeting being held the year following presentation of the award.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Ph.D. or thesis awarded during the 2 years prior to nomination

Ph.D. dissertation research of exceptional quality in the field of neuroscience

Nominee must submit an abstract to the Annual Meeting for the year of their nomination

Nominee must have performed dissertation work in the Western Hemisphere
NOMINATION MATERIALS TO BE SUBMITTED:

Letter of recommendation from nominee's Ph.D. advisor and one other appropriate senior scientist familiar with the nominee's research.
A summary of the nominee's doctoral research (maximum length of 1 single-spaced page.)
Curriculum vitae of the nominee, including honors, awards, involvement and activities in scientific societies and a list of all publications.
Two peer-reviewed manuscripts, manuscripts in press or manuscripts submitted for publication.
Copy of text of the abstract submitted to the ASN Annual Meeting. (Please note that you must submit your abstract for presentation using the ASN website according to the instructions for the specific meeting.)
SUBMISSION PROCESS:

ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SHOULD BE EMAILED TO BOTH CO-CHAIRS. You will receive an email response confirming receipt.
The applicant should send to both co-chairs a single PDF file containing the research summary, CV, manuscripts, and ASN abstract (i.e. parts 2 - 5 from above).
The letters of recommendation should be as PDF files sent directly from each referee to both co-chairs.
DEADLINE FOR NOMINATION MATERIALS - Oct 15th, 2008

Dr. Regina C. Armstrong Dr. Jean Harry
rarmstrong@usuhs.mil harry@niehs.nih.gov
Dept of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics

School of Medicine

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

4301 Jones Bridge Rd

Bethesda, MD 20814-4799

voice (301) 295-3205

Fax (301) 295-1715
Natl Inst Environmental Health Sciences
Lab Neurobiology
PO Box 12233
MD C1-04
Research Triangle Pk
NC 27709
Voice:: 919-541-0927
Fax: 919-541-0870

OVERVIEW OF THE CUREPSP RESEARCH PROGRAM
The Society for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (CurePSP) Research Program supports and
promotes research that can advance the understanding and treatment of progressive
supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal degeneration (CBD). CurePSP’s Research Program
has three components:
INVESTIGATOR-INITIATED RESEARCH
CurePSP promotes research that helps generate an integrated picture of PSP and CBD at the
molecular, cellular, and clinical levels. CurePSP may offer grants of up to $100,000 per year for
three years, the award maximum and duration varying per submission cycle.
CLINICAL TRIALS
In an effort to encourage investigators to plan and execute PSP/CBD clinical trials, CurePSP
earmarks money for investigator-initiated clinical trials.
CUREPSP- INITIATED RESEARCH
CurePSP may encourage independent investigators to submit applications for its internally
initiated research funding mechanism by issuing a request for applications (RFA).
CurePSP is particularly interested in research that will help us:
1. Understand the role of the tau gene and other genes in PSP and CBD.
2. Understand the role of tau protein processing in PSP and CBD.
3. Understand cellular energy metabolism and oxidative stress perturbations in PSP and CBD.
4. Understand environmental factors that influence the development or course of PSP and CBD.
5. Understand the series of changes brain cells pass through in PSP and CBD as they progress
from healthy neurons to dysfunctional neurons.
6. Characterize the natural history of PSP and CBD in order to develop outcome measures for
clinical trials.
7. Develop animal models of PSP and CBD.
8. Develop tools and disease markers for early diagnosis of PSP and CBD and for assessment
of treatment.
9. Develop treatments that improve the symptoms of persons with PSP and CBD.
10. Develop interventions to arrest the progression of PSP and CBD and restore lost function.

Application deadlines for the Spring Cycle are usually April 1st. For the Fall Cycle the deadline
is usually October 1st. When these dates fall on a weekend or holiday, applications will be
accepted through the next business day.

CUREPSP
SOCIETY FOR PROGRESSIVE SUPRANUCLEAR PALSY
Executive Plaza III
11350 McCormick Road, Suite 906
Hunt Valley, Maryland 21031
Telephone: 410.785.7004
Toll Free: 800.457.4777
Website: www.curepsp.org