Grants>Brain Disorders

Young Investigator Award Presidential Grants from the NMS-Group

Symposium Summary: Sleep research in neurodegeneration has become a rapidly growing field of research with major clinical and scientific impact. REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) as a hallmark and risk factor of neurodegeneration has gained prominent recognition in the last 15 years, identifying those patients at increased risk for neurodegenerative diseases. Idiopathic RBD patients will most likely comprise the ideal population for enrollment in neuroprotective trials in the future. We learn from sleep disorders about the pathophysiology of brain functioning in Parkinson syndromes and we can better define various phenotypes of Parkinson disease. Animal studies will be another focus in this research area, to study the interaction of Gaba-ergic, cholinergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission in the generation of REM sleep, REM without atonia and RBD.

Application Process: We invite all young researchers who are active in the field of clinical or experimental sleep research in a topic related to neurodegeneration (i.e. Parkinson syndromes or Alzheimer disease) or neurobiology of REM sleep to submit their abstracts and apply for a travel grant – with the chance of being selected to present their work in a special symposium entitled “Neurodegeneration and Sleep” at the 5th World Congress on Sleep Medicine in Valencia, Spain.

STEP ONE – Submit your abstract online at www.wasmcongress.com/abstract/submit_form.php.
-Select the box “Young Investigator”

STEP TWO – Email WASM at info@wasmonline.org. Within your email add why you are applying for this award with a short letter (max 200 words) and biosketch.

Deadline: June 30, 2013

Requirement: 35 years old or younger OR less than 3 years in that topic.

If selected your 10 minute oral presentation will be included in a special symposium during the meeting on Tuesday, October 1st from noon to 1:30 PM.

A travel grant of $1000-1500 (depending on distance of travel) will be provided to symposium speakers.

Request for Proposals: Parkin Biology and Therapeutic Development Studies

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) seeks to fund pre-clinical studies that investigate the biological function and therapeutic potential of Parkin protein. The ultimate goal is to identify therapeutic agents that alter the course of Parkinson’s disease.

There will be two separate ‘Tracks’ that may be pursued for support around Parkin as follows:

TRACK A – Biology

TRACK B – Therapeutic Development

Applicants may submit proposals to both Track A and Track B but it will need to do so by submitting separate applications that provide independent experimental designs for each. Applicants will be asked to justify the approach and to provide details of their study design.

Biological Studies

How will the proposed studies impact our understanding of Parkin:

As an enzyme

In cell biology

Therapeutic Development Studies

Current drug development stage with clear justification

Provide  research operation plan, including feasibility, timelines, and all assays to be performed

Provide a clear description of the properties of the lead compound(s)/biologic

Please ensure that you utilize the correct template upon submission.

DEADLINES

Informational Conference Call*: June 6, 2013, 12:00 p.m. EST

Pre-proposals Due: June 19, 2013, 6:00 p.m. EST

Full Application Invites Sent to Applicants: July 3, 2013

Full Applications Due (by invite only): August 14, 2013

Anticipated Award Announcement: October, 2013

Anticipated Funding: November, 2013

*MJFF will hold a 45-minute conference call at the time listed above to clarify and explain the goals of this funding initiative and answer applicant questions.  To participate in the call and receive call-in details, please RSVP via email to conferencecalls@michaeljfox.org, reporting “Parkin 2013” in the subject of the email.

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

PD is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting nearly five million people worldwide, with significant prevalence growth expected due to an aging population.  Current therapies are effective in addressing only the mild-to-moderate motor symptoms of the disease and have significant long-term side effects.  There are few specific drugs available that target the numerous non-motor aspects of the disease or the underlying degenerative process.

Though most cases of PD are considered idiopathic, investigators are increasingly identifying genes linked to this disease.  However, these monogenic variants account for only a small proportion of all PD cases.  Research on genetically implicated targets and associated pathways has the potential to yield critical insight and the development of therapeutics that may impact sporadic PD patients as well.

Parkin (PARK2) was identified as a gene linked to autosomal recessive juvenile forms of PD.  Since its original discovery, many mutations and deletions have been identified (1).  Parkin gene encodes a multidomain protein that contains E3 ubiquitin ligase activity that plays a role in the regulation of numerous cellular activities including proteasomal degradation of substrates but also ubiquitin-mediated signaling (1).  Parkin has also been suggested to function as a transcription factor, regulating p53 expression (2) independent of its ligase activity.

Thus there is the distinct possibility that promoting Parkin activation may have implications in ameliorating cellular signaling pathways as well as regulation of degradation pathways.  Given recent advances in understanding Parkin structure, investigators now have at hand a tangible means of optimizing small-molecule development through structure-based drug design. 

PURPOSE

The goal of the Parkin Biology & Therapeutic Development Program is to support:

1. Studies that provide critical insight into the biological mechanisms of Parkin function

2. Discovery and development of therapeutic agents that have the potential to modulate Parkin function in a manner that will alter the course of Parkinson’s disease progression.

Although most traditional therapeutics targeting modulation of enzymatic activity involve small-molecule development, MJFF is also open to alternative strategies, including gene therapy and biological (non-pharmaceutical) approaches that can have significant impact on Parkin activity. Moreover, as drug targets may be shared among multiple diseases and/or drugs may hit multiple disease targets, MJFF is also interested in drug repositioning of molecules for Parkin that have been approved or shown to be clinically safe for other indications.

Proposals may seek support of key steps along the entire therapeutic pipeline, including:

High-throughput screening

Primary assay development and validation

IC50 generation/validation in second primary assay and chemistry support for hit ranking and clustering

Hit-to Lead and Lead Optimization

Chemistry support

In vitro and in vivo PK, PK/PD relationships, toxicity studies

Applicants are asked to develop a clear plan, including major ‘go/no go’ decision milestones, for moving a therapeutic strategy toward ultimate clinical utility in people with PD.  Investigators new to PD research are encouraged to collaborate with experienced PD scientists and/or companies to ensure the greatest chance for success.

REFERENCES

1.Cell Mol Life Sci (2012) 69:3053-3067

2.Neurodegenerative Dis 2012 10:49-51

FUNDS AVAILABLE

MJFF will commit up to $2 million to the Parkin Biology & Therapeutic Development Program with the intention to support multiple awards. The requested support should be commensurate with the stage of development and work proposed.

Investigators applying to Track A (Biology) may request up to $125,000 in support (inclusive of indirect costs) for up to one year.

For those applying to Track B (Therapeutic Development) there is no set budget limit for proposals and applicants may request up to two years of funding for preclinical development.

No more than 25% (Academic institutions) or 10% (for-profit institutions) of direct costs may go to indirect costs. Please see the program instructions, Administrative Guidelines and our FAQ on MJFF indirect cost policy for details. MJFF reserves the right to reduce the duration and budget based on its review and final funding decision.

Eligibility Requirements

Applications may be submitted by:

U.S. and non-U.S. biotechnology/pharmaceutical companies or other for-profit entities, either publicly or privately held,

U.S. and non-U.S. entities, public and private non-profit entities, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of state and local governments, and eligible agencies of the federal government.

As therapeutic programs may require many kinds of expertise, MJFF encourages industry and academic collaborations when appropriate. Given the significant coordination and leadership necessary for this program, post-doctoral fellows are NOT eligible to apply as PIs.

Request for Proposals: Funding Opportunities for Kennedy’s Disease Research

The Kennedy’s Disease Association (KDA) is planning to fund one or more research grants this fall to further the understanding of the pathological mechanisms of Kennedy’s Disease.

The KDA projects that funding for each grant will be up to $25,000.

Applications from junior investigators and from senior post-doctoral fellows are encouraged.

Your proposals must be received by Friday, June 21, 2013.

Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiving Legacy Awards

With continuing support from The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation, Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) is pleased to oversee the annual Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Legacy Awards program in its sixth year.

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/informal caregivers of adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Only agencies operating within the continental United States are eligible to apply. 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 persons with dementia or family/informal caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. 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 family/informal caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias in diverse ethnic, age diversity, religion/spirituality, gender, 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 family/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 family/informal caregivers.

Award Timeline

Applications are available, online only. The closing deadline for 2013 applications is 5 p.m. (Pacific Time), Friday, August 16, 2013. Award announcements will be made by late November 2013. Award recipients will be honored at the 2014 Annual Conference of the American Society on Aging (ASA). Participates will be invited to present information about their awarded program or project at the conference. Travel stipends will be available for the conference.

Eligibility and Submission Conditions

Nonprofit organizations, government agencies and universities responding to a community need with a program or project that focuses primarily on family/ 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/informal 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 or project has to have been active during the calendar year of 2012 and/or 2013. If the program or project involves a major culminating event, that event must have occurred prior to application deadline.

For the Policy & Advocacy and Creative Expression categories, program or project may be related to either family/informal caregivers or persons with dementia or both.

For the Diversity/Multicultural Communities category, program/project must be specific to family/informal caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.

The applicant or other designated program or project representatives must be willing to share information about their program with others, including a presentation at a national professional conference, and to write up additional information to appear on FCA's website and/or future publications. Award recipients 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 extended deadline of 5 p.m. (Pacific Time), on Friday, August 16, 2013.

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.

ALS Therapy Alliance Grants Program

Thank you for your interest in submitting a proposal for grant funding to the ALS Therapy Alliance (ATA). Our organization traditionally awards grants from one to three years in term ranging from $100,000 to $1 million in funding to both non- and for-profit companies. National and international companies are eligible to apply.

The following outline will help you prepare the information needed for our next funding review, which happens twice a year in April and November.

Please note grant submission deadlines and number of copies requested in order to ensure timely processing of your application. The ALS Therapy Alliance does not cover indirect costs.

If you have questions about the submission process or this application, please contact Ray Bisson, Grants Manager at (603) 664-5005 or ray@alstherapyalliance.org, or visit our FAQ page.

http://alstherapyalliance.org/index.php/research/grant-submission-process/faqs.html

What to include with your grant proposal

ATA grant applications should follow the following format and adhere strictly to the maximum page limits (using only 11 point font or greater):

■ Abstract (1 page)

■ Background and Significance (2 pages)

■ Preliminary Data (2 pages)

■ Experimental Plan (3 pages)

■ References (no limit)

■ Budget

■ Budget Justification

■ NIH Biosketch (including present and pending support, 4 pages maximum) for PI's, post-docs and others involved in the project (excluding laboratory technicians)

■ Letters of collaboration and support

Grant proposal submission deadlines

To have your grant proposal reviewed at our April meeting, please submit by March 15th. To have your grant proposal reviewed at our November meeting, please submit by October 15th.

Where to send your grant proposal

Please email your proposal in PDF format to ray@alstherapyalliance.org.

ALS Therapy Alliance Grants Program

Thank you for your interest in submitting a proposal for grant funding to the ALS Therapy Alliance (ATA). Our organization traditionally awards grants from one to three years in term ranging from $100,000 to $1 million in funding to both non- and for-profit companies. National and international companies are eligible to apply.

The following outline will help you prepare the information needed for our next funding review, which happens twice a year in April and November.

Please note grant submission deadlines and number of copies requested in order to ensure timely processing of your application. The ALS Therapy Alliance does not cover indirect costs.

If you have questions about the submission process or this application, please contact Ray Bisson, Grants Manager at (603) 664-5005 or ray@alstherapyalliance.org, or visit our FAQ page.

http://alstherapyalliance.org/index.php/research/grant-submission-process/faqs.html

What to include with your grant proposal

ATA grant applications should follow the following format and adhere strictly to the maximum page limits (using only 11 point font or greater):

■ Abstract (1 page)

■ Background and Significance (2 pages)

■ Preliminary Data (2 pages)

■ Experimental Plan (3 pages)

■ References (no limit)

■ Budget

■ Budget Justification

■ NIH Biosketch (including present and pending support, 4 pages maximum) for PI's, post-docs and others involved in the project (excluding laboratory technicians)

■ Letters of collaboration and support

Grant proposal submission deadlines

To have your grant proposal reviewed at our April meeting, please submit by March 15th. To have your grant proposal reviewed at our November meeting, please submit by October 15th.

Where to send your grant proposal

Please email your proposal in PDF format to ray@alstherapyalliance.org.

NARSAD Distinguished Investigator Grant

The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2013 Distinguished Investigator Grant Applications.

The NARSAD Distinguished Investigator Grant provides support for experienced investigators (full professor or equivalent) conducting neurobiological and behavioral research. A one-year grant of $100,000 is provided for established scientists pursuing innovative projects in diverse areas of neurobiological research. Areas of particular interest to the Scientific Council's Selection Committee include patient populations with unique or unusual characteristics and central nervous system developments.

All applications are due by Saturday June 1, 2013 (11:59pm EDT)

Applications must be completed and submitted online. If you have any questions please contact us via email at grants@bbrfoundation.org

NARSAD is an acronym for National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression, the former name of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation

Request for Application: A-T Children's Project

Attention Researchers:

Request for Application (RFA) for March 1, 2013 and September 1, 2013

Seed funding is now available for innovative proposals that seek to identify and validate biomarkers of A-T disease progression and that can be used to monitor therapeutic efficacy in clinical trials.

Please note that investigator-initiated proposals are also welcome for the March 1 and September 1 grant submission deadlines; however priority will be given to proposals that address the above referenced RFA.

We welcome investigators to contact Cynthia Rothblum-Oviatt, PhD, our Science Coordinator, if help is needed forming collaborations and/or obtaining reagents for A-T/ATM research.

Cynthia Rothblum-Oviatt, PhD
Science Coordinator
A-T Children's Project
5300 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Suite 105
Coconut Creek, FL 33073
cynthia@atcp.org
Phone: 703-765-1223

Call for Proposals: NCL Research Award for Research on Batten Disease

The NCL Foundation provides regulary the NCL research award. The goal is to find a cure against the deadly children's disease Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL), also called Batten disease. This metabolic disorder is the most common neurodegenerative disease of childhood and is inevitably fatal. The gradual stages of the suffering are blindness, dementia, epilepsy, loss of speech, paralysis and complete helplessness.

We invite medical and basic science researchers worldwide to submit innovative clinical oriented or translational basic science projects, which can contribute to finding a cure for juvenile NCL.

Scientists from related areas of science including Alzheimer's disease, aging, and other lysosomal storage disorders, are particularly encouraged to apply with the aim to extend the NCL research community in move more efficiently towards a cure for NCL.

NCL Research Award 2013

This year, the NCL Foundation offers for the fifth time the NCL Research Award.

Grant monies (100,000 euros) are to be used for a postdoctoral fellowship in order to undertake the research project. In this fashion our goal is to promote the next generation of young NCL research scientists.

The deadline for applications: October 31, 2013                                                   

Please send the required documents to: Research@ncl-foundation.com

American Epilepsy Society Seed Grant Program

This program is intended to foster collaborative interactions between two or more established investigators* to make future grants related to epilepsy more competitive for larger awards, and to fuel multi-investigator projects.  These small awards are designed to enable information exchange/technology transfer, travel of postdoctoral fellows between laboratories, and modest supplies for the project.

Criteria:

• At least one PI must be an active member of the Society

• Must be a new initiative that will add value to the field or fill a gap in knowledge

• Techniques in a collaborative effort must be complementary

• Must involve two or more established investigators, at least one of which is an epilepsy-focused investigator.

• Although not required, trans-disciplinary projects, projects integrating clinical and basic research, and research directions with translational relevance are encouraged.

*An established investigator is defined as having at least an Associate Professor or equivalent level appointment, and who has a history of successful NIH/NSF/VA funding.  Their work can be focused on basic, translational, or clinical research.

Funding: A maximum of five one-year grants in the amount of $20,000 each will be awarded annually.  Grants are non-renewable.

Application Procedures:

Application should be no more than two pages not counting the face page and include:

a) a face page (use this Word document or facsimile)

b) an overview of the research and technical expertise of the participating laboratories/clinical research sites.

c) the research collaboration that is proposed,

d) how the seed grant mechanism will foster this research and the overall collaboration, and

e) a budget.

Applications should also include an NIH format Biosketch for all principal investigators, including present and past funding. This Biosketch should highlight the 5 most significant publications of each investigator published over the past 10 years.

Deadlines

There are three rounds of consideration each year.  Applications will be reviewed by a committee of the Research & Training Council and results will be announced within six weeks of the application deadline.

Submission deadlines (no extensions):

• March 29, 2013

• June 29, 2013

• September 30, 2013

Applications (in Word or PDF format) should be sent to the AES Office by email to ctubby@aesnet.org by close of business on the date of the deadline.