Developmental Disabilities Grants

Angelman Syndrome Foundation Request for Proposals

Application Submission Deadline: July 15, 2009

The Angelman Syndrome Foundation announces the availability of up to $670,000 (USD) to be awarded in support of research on Angelman syndrome.

Angelman syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by deficiency of the ubiquitin protein ligase UBE3A in the brain. Applications related to any areas of research involving Angelman syndrome will be considered.

Highest priority will be given to pilot projects to test new ideas about pathogenesis and therapeutics of Angelman syndrome. Researchers from all countries are encouraged to apply.

One- or two-year grants will be awarded for amounts of up to $100,000 per year. The application should include the following:
• Cover letter with title of proposal and name of principal investigator
• One-page summary abstract of proposed research
• Proposal of up to five pages, including hypothesis, background, research plan, and significance of the proposed research
• One-page detailed budget
• Curriculum vitae of the applicant
• Indirect costs of up to 10% will be allowed (to be included in the budget amount)
• Proposals involving human or animal subjects must be approved by institutional review boards before funding is released. Please include approval with proposal if possible.

The application deadline is July 15, 2009. All proposals, including cover letters, will be submitted electronically using the ASF Grant Submission Form and may be downloaded on the ASF website.
Subject line to read: ASF 2009 General RFP Submission.
File name to read: Researcher last name_2009_Gen_RFP.pdf.
Questions about this announcement should be directed to Dr. Charles Williams via ASF at: research@angelman.org.

Angelman Syndrome Foundation
4255 Westbrook Drive, Suite 219
Aurora, IL 60504

Phone: (630) 978-4245
Fax: (630) 978-7408

Request For Applications: Basic Science of Fragile X Syndrome

Deadline: July 13, 2009

This competition is made possible through the support of Conquer Fragile X, which merged with the National Fragile X Foundation in 2007.

With the specific goal of improving the lives of individuals with fragile X syndrome, in 2009 the National Fragile X Foundation will fund at least one basic science grant plus one or more additional grants based on the availability of funds. Senior established investigators will be eligible for a one-year award of up to $60,000. Junior investigators may receive up to $30,000 for one-year. Indirect costs may be requested with a cap of 5% of the total award. (If applicant’s junior or senior status is unclear, final determination will be made by the relevant co-chair of the National Fragile X Foundation’s Scientific and Clinical Advisory Committee.)

Due to the historic focus that the Conquer Fragile X Foundation had on fragile X syndrome prior to its merger with the National Fragile X Foundation, all applications should address how the research will specifically address the core understanding of fragile X syndrome as a means of leading to an ultimate cure.

The following forms of investigation are potentially appropriate for the current round of funding: genetics, molecular and cellular physiology, molecular pharmacology and pharmacogenetics, developmental and structural biology, and animal models. Applications will be judged based on innovation, likelihood of contributing critical new knowledge, and scientific merit.

Eligibility: This program is open to all investigators with demonstrated ability to carry out research on Fragile X.
Human Subjects Protocol: Research protocols involving the use of animal or human subjects must undergo standard institutional review, and receive appropriate institutional approval prior to funding. Although applications may be submitted while review is pending, verification of institutional approval is required prior to funding.

Duration of Funding: Funding is for a one-year period. Applicants may reapply for a second year of funding at the time of the next competitive process. The availability of additional funding will also depend on the future resources and programmatic goals of the NFXF.

Reporting Requirements: Awardees will be required to provide written evidence of productivity toward the goals of the project through a progress report at the half-way point. They will also be required to present their final results in the Foundation Quarterly journal. In addition, all grantees will be required to present their results at the NFXF’s international conference (July 21-25, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan). Therefore, funding for travel, not to exceed $1000, should be allocated in the budget request.

Review Criteria

Applications will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:
Innovation: The NFXF encourages innovative research. Applications for research using new and innovative strategies and techniques will receive priority. New knowledge: The NFXF is committed to developing new knowledge that will lead to effective treatment, prevention and a cure of fragile X syndrome. Proposals will be evaluated relative to their likelihood for contributing critical new knowledge. Scientific merit: The review panel will also evaluate applications on the basis of scientific merit.

Review Process: Review groups, selected from the NFXF’s Scientific and Clinical Advisory Committee or other designated advisors who have been approved by the committee chair, will review and score the applications.
Notification: All attempts will be made to notify awardees by August 31, 2009 with funding to follow shortly thereafter, provided award acceptance, award administration and applicable human or animal subjects documentation is submitted in a timely manner. Successful and unsuccessful applicants will receive reviewers' comments, when provided.

Application Requirements: There is no application form. Applicants who wish to respond to the NFXF's announcement should submit a proposal no more than 10 pages in length, excluding references, budget and other supporting documents. The proposal needs to include specific aims, background, previous studies, research plans and references. Proposals should be 12 pt. Arial or Times New Roman typeface with 1/2 inch margins, single-spaced. In addition, the CV of all key personnel should be attached. In the case of funding requests for support of post-doctoral fellows, both the CV of the fellow and of the mentor must be attached.

A one-page hardcopy letter must be sent to the NFXF offices. This letter should clearly state: applicant’s name, title, institution, complete contact information, title of proposed research project, amount requested and requested duration. The complete application should be submitted as an email attachment only. PDF documents are preferred but Word docs will be accepted.

Deadlines: Letters must be postmarked no later than 7/13/09. Emailed applications must be received no later 7/13/09.

Submit letter to: National Fragile X Foundation / Research Applications
1615 Bonanza Street / Suite 202 / Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Questions: For questions concerning applications, contact Robert Miller, Executive Director of the NFXF at: 925-938-9300,

International Mosaic Down Syndrome Association Student Research Scholarship

The International Mosaic Down Syndrome Association is a non-profit organization designed to provide
support, information, and research to those touched by mosaic Down syndrome. To increase the number
of studies on mosaic Down syndrome (mDs) and Down syndrome (Ds), WE WILL BE OFFERING
TWO $500 SCHOLARSHIPS TO MASTER’S LEVEL STUDENTS STUDYING MOSAIC
DOWN SYNDROME OR RELATED TOPICS.

Applications will be accepted twice a year (September 15th and March 15th) and awardees will be
selected within one month of the application deadline (October 15th and April 15th). Two scholarships
will be awarded in each 12 month period.

Topics for research are not limited to mDs, but can include studies on individual clinical features of mDs
(ie. atrioventricular septal defects, autism, thyroid disorders). Chosen students will gain access to
members of IMDSA for use in their research. All studies involving IMDSA families require IRB
approval.

Scholarship funding is expected to be used at the awardee’s discretion for research expenses. Awardees
may also apply for an additional $250.00 award to fly to and from our biannual conference to collect
data, present data, and get to know the families at IMDSA.

BY POST - PO Box 1052 ~ Franklin ~ TX ~ 77856 ~ USA

BY TOLL FREE PHONE - 1-888-MDS-LINK
BY PHONE - 1-979-828-4177
BY FAX - 1-775-295-9373

Innovating Worthy Projects Foundation was founded to provide financial Grants for structuring, developing or modifying special-needs children’s programs of organizations recognized as charities by the US Internal Revenue Service.

The Foundation makes grants to organizations dedicated to serving developing innovative programs, disseminating ideas, or providing direct care or services for children with special needs, acute illnesses or chronic disabilities.

We accept requests for financial assistance Grants from January 1 up to and including August 31 of each year. We typically send out notices regarding approval of financial assistance requests between the following April and June.

The Foundation donates only to organizations and not to individuals. All applicant institutions must be qualified for exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and generally may not be “private foundations” as defined under Section 509(a) of the Code. An agency or entity applying for funding must state whether it is a member of any branch of the Federal, or any State, County or local Municipal government.

The Foundation does not ordinarily fund salaries and professional fees, operating expenses or building programs. The Board of Trustees, in its sole discretion, determines which requests to approve and fund.

Individual grants or grants to programs will be on a one-time basis. These grants will either supplement other funding obtained by the applicant or totally support a proposal. This will be decided by the Board of Trustees.

Innovative Worthy Projects Foundation
4045 Sheridan Avenue
Miami Beach, Florida 33140

Telephone: 305.861.5352
Facsimile: 305.868.4293
Email: Info@IWPF.org