Novel Approaches to Drug Discovery for Alzheimer's Disease Request For Proposals
Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation
All Regions
10/01/2008
$0
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.
Medicinal Chemist, Clinical Chemist, Clinical Pharmacist, Laboratory Director, Neurologist, Neuroscientist, Pharmacist, Pharmacy Faculty
Request for Skin Cancer Career Development Awards: SPORE—Skin Cancer
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
All Regions
07/15/2008
$0
Request for Skin Cancer Career Development Awards: SPORE—Skin Cancer
The SPORE in Skin Cancer is seeking one (1) career development project for funding in the sixth year of the grant. SPORE’s are large NCI interdisciplinary program grants which focus on translational research in a specific human disease field (e.g. skin cancer, including melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, cutaneous lymphoma, etc.). They emphasize the rapid movement of discoveries made in the lab to the clinical setting, and promote laboratory investigations seeking to explain clinical observations.

Specifically, independent investigators with an interest in studying biologic, epidemiologic, preclinical or therapeutic modalities, which are directly or potentially applicable to human skin cancer, are encouraged to apply. All career development projects must have a goal to be translatable in the study of human skin cancer. Awardees will be expected to participate in the activities of the SPORE, including attending research retreats and presenting research accomplishments. The goal of the Career Development Award Program is to attract basic, translational and clinical investigators into skin cancer research, to enrich their foundation of knowledge about human skin cancer, mentor them in their chosen career pathways, and integrate the recipients into the translational mission of the SPORE.

Candidates may be either clinicians or basic scientists with an MD or PhD degree, who are interested in translational research and in pursuing a career as an independent investigator in cutaneous oncology research. We will consider senior level postdoctoral fellows who are moving into faculty status and instructor level junior faculty within three years of completing their training who are interested in pursuing hypothesis driven research. The typical applicant is a junior faculty member with a strong program of research, a secure position in a mentoring environment, and the need for funding as a bridge to independence. Consideration is also given to established investigators interested in shifting their research focus to skin cancer.

Examples of projects, which might be suitable for developmental projects, include:
• New diagnostic tests/techniques for identifying or characterizing skin cancer
• Work with animal models of skin cancer
• Study potential genes and/or proteins important in skin carcinogenesis
• Therapeutic trials

Applications should be no more than 5 pages. Please follow the format outlined below.

• Detailed Budget (not counted in the 5 page limit)
• Introduction and Specific Aim
• Preliminary data
• Experimental design
• References (not counted in 5-page limit)

Application Timelines:

Applications are due July 15, 2008
Funding will begin September 1, 2008

Applications should be sent to:

Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Michelle Gagne
Department of Dermatology
801 Massachusetts Ave. Suite 718
Boston, MA 02118

For additional information please contact Michelle Gagne at 617-582-0080 or mgagne1@partners.org
Physician Researcher, Junior Faculty, Junior Investigator, Junior Researcher, Junior Scientist, Oncologist
Clinical Research Training Grant
Muscular Dystrophy Association
All Regions
08/01/2008
$180,000

Muscular Dystrophy Association

Clinical Research Training Grant (CRTG)

Summary: The CRTG is designed to provide promising young clinicians the research training opportunities needed to become productive clinical investigators in neuromuscular disease research. This training opportunity is designed to be compatible with the requirements of a traditional clinical fellowship in neuromuscular disease and any forthcoming requirements for certification in neuromuscular disease. Trainees will be expected to design their own educational plans and to participate, under the supervision of a mentor, in the development and/or coordination of a clinical research project. At minimum, trainees should gain experience in the basic epidemiological methods of clinical research, ethical and legal issues, and the principles involved in monitoring patient-oriented research, including regulatory requirements and quality assurance. Recipients are also encouraged to acquire knowledge of and exposure to research technologies, large dataset management, bioinformatics and other research tools, as well as to develop the communication and collaboration skills necessary for successful investigator development. Clinical Research Training Grants will be awarded annually to no more than two qualified recipients for the amount of $90,000 per year for two years.

Deadlines*

*Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact MDA staff before submitting a letter of intent for this grant.

2009:
Letter of Intent: August 1, 2008
Grant Application: September 1, 2008
Start Date: July 1, 2009

FOR ONLINE SUBMISSION OF THE "REQUEST FOR GRANT APPLICATiON" go to: https://proposalcentral.altum.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the funding level and percent commitment for this grant?
This Fellowship is funded at up to $90,000 per year, with a cap of $85,000 to be applied to salary and benefits, and a cap of $10,000 to be applied to coursework, travel and a laptop computer. Applicants are expected to commit 100% of their time to this Fellowship.

Who can apply?
To apply for the CRTG, you must hold a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy degree and be licensed to practice medicine in the state or province in which the grant will be given; be board eligible or board certified in neurology, child neurology or physical medicine and rehabilitation at the time of the award. Clinicians who have been in a practice focused on neuromuscular diseases for not more than 5 years are also eligible to submit an application. See the CRTG Policy Manual for further requirements.

Do you need to be a U.S. citizen to apply?
U.S. or Canadian citizens, resident aliens, or nonresident aliens with a valid employment authorization are eligible for this training opportunity. Strong preference will be given to applicants who intend to remain in the U.S. or Canada after completing training.

How are applications reviewed?
Applications are reviewed by members of MDA’s Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) at its October meeting. Review criteria include: quality of applicant; quality of mentor and training environment; and quality of educational plan. See the CRTG Policy Manual for more detail.

How many grants are awarded each year?
No more than two grants will be awarded annually.

How should the “classwork” requirement be met?
Applicants are asked to design an “educational program” including formal classwork in clinical research. The classwork requirement can be satisfied through many different mechanisms including classes in relevant areas offered at the applicant’s own institution or classes offered by government or private organizations, or some combination of both. Both certificate and credit hour classes may be counted toward the educational requirement. Examples of appropriate topics for classwork include, but are not limited to epidemiology, ethics/responsible conduct of research, study design/clinical trials design, use of human subjects, scientific writing/grantsmanship, and good clinical practice. Your application will be reviewed, in part, on the breadth and depth of the educational plan that you develop.

What is meant by "development or coordination of a clinical research project"?
Your second-year project should allow you to apply information that you gained from the first-year coursework in a clinical research setting. Planning for this project should begin in year one. Appropriate projects might include, for example, participating in a clinical trial, conducting a restrospective chart review study, or designing and implementing a small epidemiological study. Your role in the design, execution, and/or data anaylsis for the research project should be clearly delineated. The project should not be a laboratory research project. It is expected that a publication or presentation at a scientific meeting will result from the research project.

Is this program compatible with certification in neuromuscular disease?
Certification requirements for neuromuscular training are currently under development. This fellowship is meant to be compatible with requirements for such certification. If you plan to seek certification in neuromuscular training, please indicate this in your applicant statement and educational plan, and include the requirements for certification in your educational plan.

How will progress be judged?
Progress reports will be required at six months, twelve months and eighteen months. Applicants who are not judged to be making satisfactory progress will be subject to cancellation.

Contact:
Elizabeth Habeeb-Louks
MDA Research Department
(520) 529-2000, ext. 6021
crtg@mdausa.org

Neurologist, Osteopath, Physiatrist , Physician, Physician Researcher
Career Awards for Medical Scientists
Burroughs Wellcome Fund
All Regions
10/01/2008
$0

Career Awards for Medical Scientists (CAMS)
Providing medically trained individuals with bridging support in basic biomedical, disease- oriented, translational, or molecular, genetic, or pharmacological epidemiology research at North American degree-granting institutions.

Application Deadline: October 1, 2008
By electronic application only.

Research in the medical sciences provides a firm foundation for improving human health. The Burroughs Wellcome Fund is committed to fostering the development of the next generation of academic medical scientists. By providing funding to help bridge the gap between the postdoctoral and early faculty years, the Fund hopes to bolster the careers of the most promising up and coming scientists. But BWF's support doesn't stop with its funding. Through biennial meetings and mentoring networks, the Fund helps provide vital career advice to give scientists, early in their careers, the information they need to be successful.

The Career Awards for Medical Scientists (CAMS) is the result of the reformulation of the Career Awards in the Biomedical Sciences (CABS) program, which was instituted by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund in 1995 and ran through the 2006 award year. In response to the NIH's K99/R00 Pathway to Independence awards, the BWF has shifted focus to address the on-going problem of increasing the number of physician scientists and keeping them in research. BWF believes that this bridging award, supporting the last year(s) of a mentored position in addition to supporting the beginning years of an independent position, will facilitate the transition to a career in research and buy time from service commitments.

http://www.bwfund.org/programs/CAMS/cams_index.html

Biochemist, Biologist, Cell Biologist, Molecular Biologist , Scientist
Critical Challenges in Parkinson’s Disease 2008
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
All Regions
07/24/2008
$0
Critical Challenges in PD 2008

06/03/2008

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) is launching this funding initiative to promote development and testing of technologies to image alpha-synuclein and/or Lewy body-related pathology associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in living brain tissue. Projects can include the development and/or testing of specific probes (e.g., small molecule compounds or modified peptides/antibodies) or methods for detecting alpha-synuclein/Lewy body components appropriate for use in MRI, PET/SPECT or other imaging modality. Depending on the stage of technology development, work can include pre-clinical or clinical studies. However, the ultimate deliverable of the study must include an in vivo test of the imaging approach either in a PD-relevant mammalian model or human PD patient.

Studies appropriate for this RFP may include:
• Development of technologies (e.g., small molecule ligands, peptide/antibody approaches, etc.) that can be used to visualize alpha-synuclein/Lewy body pathological features and are detectable with an appropriate imaging modality.
• Examination of the sensitivity and selectivity of alpha-synuclein/Lewy body imaging technologies to detect alpha-synuclein in human PD postmortem samples.
• Optimization studies to make technologies appropriate for eventual in vivo preclinical or clinical testing, including for example determination of pharmacokinetic parameters, toxicity, blood-brain barrier permeability, target engagement, and clearance times.
• In vivo testing of technologies in preclinical animal models of alpha-synuclein/Lewy body pathology.
• Clinical testing of technologies in living human PD patients, including possible ‘Hospice studies’ to confirm imaging results to postmortem examination.

A strong, collaborative and appropriately skilled investigator team will be a major criterion for successful funding in this program.

Applicants may request a project period of up to two years and direct costs appropriate and justifiable for the work proposed, in addition to indirect costs of up to 25 percent of direct costs.

Please note that a ‘Technology Summary’ is a required element of this program’s application process and is different from a standard pre-proposal. All Technology Summaries received in response to this MJFF RFP will be subjected to a review process. Only a small subset of applicants will ultimately be selected to work with MJFF staff to develop full proposals for final funding consideration.
MJFF employs an expedited, abbreviated granting mechanism to accelerate discoveries and ultimately translate findings to PD patients more quickly. 

For additional information about this initiative, contact the Foundation at research@michaeljfox.org.

Conference Call
MJFF will hold a 45 minute long conference call on June 19, 2008 at 12:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time to clarify and explain the Critical Challenges in PD 2008 program and to answer applicants' questions. To participate in this call, you must RSVP via email to conferencecalls@michaeljfox.org. Participants will receive a reply with call-in details.

For additional information about this initiative, contact the Foundation at research@michaeljfox.org.
Imaging Professional, Molecular Biologist , Neurologist, Neuroradiologist , Neuroscientist, Physician Researcher, Radiologic Technologist, Radiologist
Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
American Association of Anatomists
All Regions
10/01/2008
$20,000

AAA Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
Application deadline: October 1st

The AAA Postdoctoral Fellowship, established in 2008, offers salary support to AAA members who are postdoctoral fellows working in any aspect of biology relevant to the anatomical sciences. Either the postdoctoral applicant or the host sponsor (or both) must be a permanent resident of the US or Canada, however, fellowships can be used in any country. Applicants must have been AAA members for one year preceding the application deadline and are expected to remain members for the duration of the fellowship. Candidates should be working on a research project encompassing any aspect of biology that is relevant to the anatomical sciences. Approaches can include (but are not limited to) cellular, molecular, genetic or histological techniques, and/or emphasize development, evolution, morphology or human health.

AAA Postdoctoral Fellowship recipients receive:
• A $20,000 Fellowship
• Travel reimbursement (up to $1,000) plus registration fee to present his/her work at the next appropriate AAA Annual Meeting.

American Association of Anatomists
9650 Rockville Pike Bethesda, Maryland 20814-3998
Tel: 301-634-7910 Fax: 301-634-7965 exec@anatomy.org

Biologist, Cell Biologist, Molecular Biologist , Scientist, Geneticist
Y.C. Fung Young Investigator Award
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
All Regions
09/01/2008
$1,000

Y.C. Fung Young Investigator Award
The Y.C. Fung Young Investigator Award was established to recognize young investigators who are committed to pursuing research in the field of Bioengineering and have demonstrated significant potential to make substantial contributions to the field of Bioengineering. Such accomplishments may take the form of, but are not limited to, design or development of new methods, equipment or instrumentation in bioengineering; and research publications in peer-reviewed journals.

The award was established by the Bioengineering Division in 1985 and operated as a division award until 1998 when it was elevated to a Society award.

Form of Award: $1000, Bronze Medal, Certificate and Travel expense supplement to attend the meeting of presentation.
Eligibility: Nominations packets will be held and considered for two years. The nominee must satisfy the age and degree limitations for the first year nomination.
Limitation(s): Candidates must have earned a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in any field of engineering, physics, medicine or life sciences. Candidates must have received their terminal degree within seven years of their nomination for this award and must be under 36 years of age on June 1st of the year in which they are nominated. Candiate must be an active member of the Bioengineering Division.
Administrative Responsibility: Bioengineering Division
Nomination Deadline: September 1 to Awards Chair
Nomination Sent To: Special Awards Committee Chair
Special Award Committee Chair: B.R. Simon
Phone Number: 404-894-2849
Email: simon@ame.arizona.edu
Submission To: Committee on Honors (COH) - October 15

Contacts
Catherine Mervyn
ASME
Three Park Ave
New York, NY 10016-5990
Telephone: (212) 591-7736

Engineer, Young Scientist, Young Investigator, Biomedical Engineer
Life Sciences Research Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
Life Sciences Research Foundation
All Regions
10/01/2008
$150,000

Life Sciences Research Foundation
Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

The LSRF solicits monies from industry, foundations and individuals to support postdoctoral fellowships in the life sciences. Active solicitation of funds continues, for which we need the assistance of all concerned individuals. We recognize that discoveries and the application of innovations in biology for the public's good will depend upon the training and support of the highest quality young scientists in the very best research environments. LSRF awards fellowships across the spectrum of the life sciences: biochemistry; cell, developmental, molecular, plant, structural, organismic population and evolutionary biology; endocrinology; immunology; microbiology; neurobiology; physiology; virology.

Fellowship Eligibility. Three-year fellowships will be awarded on a competitive basis to graduates of medical and graduate schools in the biological sciences holding M.D., Ph.D., D.V.M. or D.D.S. degrees. Awards will be based solely on the quality of the individual applicant's previous accomplishments, and on the merit of the proposal for postdoctoral research. Persons doing a second postdoc are eligible only if they are transferring to a different supervisor's laboratory and embarking on a new project not connected to their previous research. All U.S. citizens are eligible to apply with no geographic restriction on the laboratory of their choice. Foreign applicants will be eligible for study in U.S. laboratories. LSRF fellows must carry out their research at nonprofit institutions. This fellowship cannot be used to support research that has any patent commitment or other kind of agreement with a commercial profit-making company. LSRF fellows can change projects, laboratories, and/or institutions during the fellowship as long as the eligibility rules listed here are not violated. A person holding a faculty appointment is not eligible to apply for an LSRF fellowship.

Stipends. The fellowship award is $51,000 per year and is meant to be a minigrant. LSRF keeps $1000 for administrative expenses and passes the rest to the fellow. The salary scale begins at $40,000 for a first-year postdoctoral, $42,500 for a second year, and $45,000 thereafter. The fellow, not the advisor, will control expenditure of the remainder. It can be used for fringe benefits, travel to the host institution, travel to visit the sponsor and to the LSRF annual meeting. However, its main purpose is to support the fellow's research expenses. The LSRF does not award an institutional allowance for overhead.

NOTICE: The LSRF website is closed for applications. We will open for submissions on September 10, 2008. The application deadline is October 1, 2008.

DEADLINE FOR SUPERVISOR AND REFERENCE LETTERS: NOVEMBER 1

Questions and inquiries pertaining to the submission of applications should be sent to:

Susan DiRenzo, Assistant Director

Email : sdirenzo@princeton.edu

Biochemist, Biologist, Cell Biologist, Endocrinologist, Immunologist, Junior Investigator, Junior Researcher, Junior Scientist, Microbiologist, Molecular Biologist , Neuroscientist, New Investigator, Physiologist, Veterinary School Faculty, Virologist, Young Investigator, Young Scientist
Colgate-Palmolive Postdoctoral Fellowship Award in In Vitro Toxicology
Colgate-Palmolive Company
All Regions
10/09/2008
$38,500
Colgate-Palmolive Postdoctoral Fellowship Award in In Vitro Toxicology
Award Description The Colgate-Palmolive Company sponsors the Colgate-Palmolive Postdoctoral Fellowship Award in In Vitro Toxicology through the Society of Toxicology to advance the development of alternatives to animal testing in toxicological research. The award is given in alternate years and includes stipend and research-related costs (up to $38,500) for one year. The award may be extended for an additional year upon an agreement between Colgate-Palmolive and the postdoctoral fellow. Postdoctoral trainees in their first year of study beyond the Ph.D., M.D., or D.V.M. degree who are academic institutions, federal/national laboratories or research institutes worldwide may apply. The Awards Committee will review applications, which are due in even calendar years and the fellowship is awarded for the following year. The next award application deadline is October 9, 2008 for the 2009 award.

The award consists of a plaque and fellowship funds.

Criteria for award:

Postdoctoral trainees employed by academic institutions, federal/national laboratories, or research institutes
Doctoral degree must have been conferred before this fellowship is awarded
Preference will be given to applicants in their first year of postdoctoral study
Applicant or postdoctoral advisor must be a member or pending member of the Society. If the recipient is not a member, he or she will be required to submit a membership application before the fellowship is conferred
Proposed research should involve alternative methods as defined by the “three R’s”
Potential of the proposed work to contribute to the advancement of the field of alternatives
Items needed in the application:

Application form
Budget sheet
Description of research to be performed
Curriculum vitae
Reprints of up to three representative publications
Letter of reference from doctoral advisor
Letter of reference from the proposed postdoctoral advisor
Third letter of reference

Apply by downloading application files, completing, and mailing original plus 7 copies to:
Colgate-Palmolive Postdoctoral Fellowship Award in In Vitro Toxicology
Society of Toxicology
1821 Michael Faraday Drive, Suite 300
Reston, VA 20190

Letters of reference are mailed directly by the writer to the address above
Junior Investigator, Junior Researcher, Junior Scientist, New Investigator, Young Investigator, Young Scientist, Toxicologist
American Physiological Society (APS) Research Career Enhancement Awards
American Physiological Society (APS)
All Regions
09/17/2008

The American Physiological Society (APS) Research Career Enhancement Award is designed to enhance the career potential of our regular members. The award can be used to support short-term visits to other laboratories to acquire new specific skills and to support attendance at special courses devoted primarily to methodologies appropriate for both a new investigator and a more senior investigator entering a new field of research. The award of up to $4,000 allows an individual in the early phases of his/her career to obtain special training; the award also allows an individual in the later phases of his/her career to develop new skills and to retrain in areas of developing interests. The award does not include any indirect cost reimbursement.

To Apply: Go to http://www.the-aps.org/awardapps for online application (paper applications no longer accepted).

For applications, contact the appropriate APS office as listed at 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814-3991. Phone: 301-634-7118; fax: 301-634-7242; e-mail: awards@the-aps.org

Distinguished Investigator, Distinguished Scholar, Distinguished Scientist, Established Investigator, Junior Faculty, Junior Investigator, Junior Researcher, Junior Scientist, New Investigator, Physiologist, Young Investigator, Young Scientist

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