Neurophysiology Grants

Funding Opportunities

The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF) encourages and supports research related to the causes, mechanisms, prevention, and treatment of all forms of dystonia, the third most common movement disorder. Through a peer-review process, all applications are reviewed and ranked by the DMRF’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Council, who then make recommendations to the Board of the Directors for funding.

Types of Awards

Fellowships
A two-year Fellowship is designed to assist post-doctoral fellows establish careers in research relevant to dystonia.

The DMRF supports hypothesis-driven research at the genetic, molecular, cellular, systems, or behavioral levels that may lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of dystonia or to new therapies for dystonia.

Funding for fellowships is $50,000 per year for two years.

Research Grants
Research grants are available in support of hypothesis-driven research at the genetic, molecular, cellular, systems, or behavioral levels that may directly or indirectly lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiology and to new therapies for any or all forms of dystonia. Although early-onset primary generalized dystonia is of special interest, we also support studies on the focal dystonias, including laryngeal dystonia/spasmodic dysphonia, as well as secondary dystonias.

Funding for grants is available up to $65,000 per year for 1 or 2 years.

The deadline for grant and fellowship applications is December 15, 2008. Applications and guidelines will be available September 15.

Dystonia Medical Research FoundationNational Headquarters
One East Wacker Drive, Suite 2810
Chicago, Illinois 60601-1905
Phone: 312-755-0198
Toll free: 800-377-DYST (3978)
In Canada: 800-361-8061
Fax: 312-803-0138
Email: dystonia@dystonia-foundation.org

2009 McKnight Scholar Awards

The McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience supports innovative research designed to bring science closer to the day when diseases of the brain can be accurately diagnosed, prevented, and treated. To this end, The McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience invites applications for the 2009 McKnight Scholar Awards.

These awards were established to encourage emerging neuroscientists to focus on disorders of learning and memory. Applicants for the McKnight Scholar Awards must demonstrate interest in solving important problems in relevant areas of neuroscience, including the translation of basic research to clinical neuroscience. Awards are given to exceptional young scientists who hold the M.D. and/or Ph.D. degree and who are in the early stages of establishing an independent laboratory and research career. Traditionally, successful candidates have held faculty positions for at least one year. For the names of previous recipients and their projects, click here.

Up to six McKnight Scholars each will receive three years of support, beginning July 1, 2009.

Eligibility. Applicants must have the following:

* M.D. and/or Ph.D. degree; formal postdoctoral training completed at the time of application.
* A record of meritorious research in areas pertinent to the interests of the Endowment Fund.
* Not more than four years of experience in an independent/tenure-track faculty position (exceptions may be made to account for parental leave).
* Evidence of a commitment to a career in neuroscience.
* U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status.
* U.S.-based sponsoring institution, to which awards will be paid.

Applicants may not:

* Be employees of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute or scientists within the intramural program of the National Institutes of Health.
* Apply in more than two rounds of competition.
* Apply for continued postdoctoral support.
* Hold tenured positions or their equivalent.
* Hold another type of McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience award that would overlap with the Scholar Award.

Amount and Purpose of Support. Each McKnight Scholar will receive $75,000 annually in 2009, 2010, and 2011. Funds may be used in any way that will facilitate development of the Scholar’s research program, but not for indirect costs.

Selection Process. A review committee will evaluate applications and invite a select few to interview with the committee. Applicants selected will be notified by March 20, 2009. The interviews are scheduled for Friday, April 17, 2009, in San Francisco. The committee then will recommend candidates to the Board of Directors of the Endowment Fund for final decision. Awards will be announced on or before May 15, 2009.

Printed application forms and guidelines. Please call, email, or write the office of The McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience.

Completed applications must arrive no later than January 2, 2009.

The McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience
710 South Second Street, Suite 400
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401
info@mcknight.org
www.mcknight.org/neuroscience

Student Fellowship--Myasthenia Gravis or Related Neuromuscular Conditions

These fellowships are awarded annually to current medical students
or graduate students interested in the scientific basis of myasthenia
gravis or related neuromuscular conditions, serving both to further
scientific inquiries into the nature of these disorders and to
encourage more research. The stipend is up to $5,000.

Annual deadline for applications is March 15.

Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America
1821 University Ave. W., Suite S256
St. Paul, MN 55104

Telephone: (651)917-6256 or (800)541-5454

Fax: (651)917-1835

Linus Pauling Institute Prize for Health Research

The Prize is sponsored by the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. The LPI functions from the basic premise that an optimum diet and a healthy lifestyle are the key to optimum health. LPI's mission is to determine the function and role of vitamins, essential minerals, and phytochemicals in promoting optimum health and preventing and treating disease; and to determine the role of oxidative/nitrative stress and antioxidants in human health and disease. Major areas of research in the Institute encompass cardiovascular diseases, cancer, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases. The goal of LPI's outreach and education program is to help people everywhere achieve a healthy and productive life, full of vitality, with minimal suffering, and free of cancer and other debilitating diseases. For more information, please visit the Institute's website.

Nature: The Prize consists of $50,000 and a medal, and is awarded biennially. The recipient of the inaugural 2001 Prize was Bruce N. Ames from the University of California, Berkeley, and Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute. The 2003 Prize went to Harvard University's Walter C. Willett, and the 2005 Prize to Paul Talalay from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Our 2007 prize winner was Mark Levine from the National Institutes of Health.

Purpose: The Prize recognizes innovation and excellence in research relating to the roles of vitamins, essential minerals, and phytochemicals in promoting optimum health and preventing or treating disease; and the roles of oxidative/nitrative stress and antioxidants in human health and disease. The goal is to stimulate innovative research that enhances our knowledge of the role of diet and lifestyle in the primary and secondary prevention of disease; and the role of oxidative/nitrative stress in disease pathology. The Prize also recognizes successful efforts to disseminate and implement knowledge on diet, lifestyle, and health to enhance public health and reduce suffering from disease.

Procedure: The nominator should submit a nomination letter, two supporting letters solicited from his/her colleagues, and the candidate's up-to-date curriculum vita. The candidate's research accomplishments in light of the purpose of the Prize should be amply described in the letters. The awardee must be present to accept the Prize and deliver a talk at LPI's "Diet and Optimum Health" conference. The next conference will be May 13-16, 2009.

Nomination packages should be sent to:

Barbara McVicar
Linus Pauling Institute
Oregon State University
571 Weniger Hall
Corvallis, OR 97331-6512

Complete nomination materials must be received by November 1, 2008.

Prize4Life announced its 2-year $1 million ALS/MND Biomarker Challenge on November 6, 2006.

The Prize4Life Biomarker Prize is divided into two tracks - theoretical findings and real outcomes.

The first track was a call for scientists and researchers from all backgrounds to submit theoretical papers on how they would develop a biomarker for ALS. In May 2007, Prize4Life awarded $15,000 for each of the five best ideas submitted . This track is now closed for submissions.

The second track, currently running, involves identifying an actual ALS biomarker. Anyone can submit a solution to the second track at any time, regardless of whether they participated in the first track.

A prize of up to $1,000,000 will be awarded in track two for the first validated ALS biomarker submitted that meets the desired requirements. Those submitting a solution must provide statistically significant results as proof of the validity of the solution. This challenge will end in November 2008 if a winning solution is not received so send in your solution now!!

A biomarker is a distinctive biological or biologically derived indicator that can mark the presence and/or progression of a disease. A biomarker can take the form of a chemical marker, a mechanical device that measures relevant physiological changes, or combination of the two. Currently, there are no known biomarkers for ALS for either diagnosing or measuring the progression of the disease.

Interested scientists and researchers should REGISTER with Prize4Life.

INNOCENTIVE 4470259
ALS Biomarker
POSTED: NOV 06, 2006
DEADLINE: NOV 06, 2008
$1,000,000 USD

Sheila Essey Award - An Award for ALS Research
Presented by the AAN and the ALS Association and supported through the philanthropy of the Essey family and the ALS Association.

This award recognizes an individual who has made significant research contributions in the search for the cause, prevention of, and cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The criteria being used to determine the recipient include recent major scientific impact, long-term scientific impact, and overall impact to ALS.

Presentation
Recipient is expected to present a 20-minute lecture during an anterior horn scientific session at the 61st AAN Annual Meeting.

Recipient will receive:
Certificate of recognition and $25,000 prize to be used by recipient to continue ALS research
Complimentary registration for 61st Annual Meeting
Recognition at 2009 Awards Luncheon at 61st Annual Meeting
Eligibility
Must be actively engaged in ALS research

Application Procedure
Applicants should submit one complete set of the following materials:

Completed application form Note: Under general description: describe how scientific contributions have created a better understanding of ALS; why applicant should receive award; and why contributions represent a major advance or hold significance in ALS research in terms of identifying the cause, potential treatment, prevention, or cure.
Current curriculum vitae
Supporting information (not to exceed three pages), including:
Single page biography including previous positions and any awards or recognition received
One- to two-page listing of six to ten peer-reviewed journal references that support statements about contributions to ALS research (do not send reprints or a bibliography)

Deadline

The deadline to apply for 2009 AAN Scientific Awards is November 3, 2008. Applications will be available in August 2008.

For more information, please contact Naomi Soderbeck at nsoderbeck@aan.com or (651) 695-2814.

The FSH Society, Inc. (the “Society”) sponsors research programs to meet needs of critical importance in the research of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy ("FSHD").

Each year, the Society will accept requests for research funding. All proposals are subject to peer review to identify the most meritorious and innovative to be funded.

The following programs are available to support research efforts:

A. Research Fellowships -- provide support for graduate student researchers at any stage of their research career.

B. Targeted Project Research Grants -- provide one-time support for research projects proposed by investigators at any stage of their independent research career.

C. Research Opportunity Grants -- provide rapid, one-time funding of novel ideas for finding a solution to urgent problems with immediate human benefit.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

There are no deadlines for the filing of fellowship and grant applications. Meritorious proposals are funded as resources and time permit at the sole and absolute discretion of the Society.

An applicant whose fellowship or grant application was rejected is encouraged to discuss with the Society the feasibility of a revised application. Revised applications will be reviewed in the same detail and compete on an equal basis with new applications.

Mailing Address
FSH Society, Inc.
BBRI R353
64 Grove Street
Watertown, MA 02472 USA

Telephone
(617) 658-7878 or (781) 275-7781
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM EST. Voicemail messages may be left after hours.

Fax
(617) 658-7879 or (781) 275-7789

e-mail
info@fshsociety.org

IFCN/AANEM Foundation Fellowship Funds Available

The International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology (IFCN) and the AANEM Foundation for Research and Education are providing fellowship money for AANEM members/nonmembers in economically disadvantaged regions to attend the AANEM Annual Meeting.

Cash fellowships of $1,000 will be awarded to each candidate accepted. The AANEM will also waive the annual meeting registration fee and provide some other educational assistance for the meeting. The number of awards is limited. Physicians who submit an abstract to present at the AANEM meeting will be given priority for these fellowships.

The fellowships have already been awarded for the 2008 meeting, but you can still plan ahead for 2009! The AANEM Annual Meeting will be held October 7-10, 2009, in San Diego, California. In order to receive the funds for 2009, the AANEM will request a letter stating:

* your background in detail
* the reasons for your interest in the AANEM Annual Meeting
* why you feel you deserve the award

Physicians that have received fellowship awards in previous years are welcome to apply; however, priority will be given to those physicians who have not previously been awarded funds.

Deadline for abstract submission : March 1, 2009
Deadline for request submission for 2009: April 15, 2009

Submit letter via email to: espaulding@aanem.org

or fax to: 507-288-1225

Grant requests
For all grant requests other than the Brighter Tomorrow grant

The initial contact should be made by letter of inquiry stating the amount sought, purpose of the grant, and nature of the organization requesting the grant. Please include an e-mail address if available. The letter should be sent to:

The Grant Committee
c/o Managing Director
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
6350 North Andrews Avenue
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. 33309

If you are awarded a grant we do ask as a minimum that you provide us with semi-annual progress reports however additional criteria may apply depending on the amount and type of grant.

FUNDING CYCLE

All grant requests excluding the Brighter Tomorrow grant, must be received prior to November 1 of each year. If your request is funded, funding will occur prior to January 15 of the following year.

LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS

The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, at its sole discretion, has the right to limit, refuse or cancel any grants made. The awarding of grants is at the determination of the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.

Research grants

The focus of the Hereditary Disease Foundation is on Huntington's disease. Support will be for research projects that will contribute to identifying and understanding the basic defect in Huntington's disease. Areas of interest include trinucleotide expansions, animal models, gene therapy, neurobiology and development of the basal ganglia, cell survival and death, and intercellular signaling in striatal neurons.

Anyone accepting funding from the Hereditary Disease Foundation must agree to abide by the following policy: Propagatable materials (including monoclonal antibodies and recombinant DNAs) should be freely available to other investigators following publication. The Foundation's position is that there be no restrictions or proprietary rights in materials produced with our support.

Deadlines for applications are February 15, June 15 and October 15. Applications will be reviewed in May, September and January. To obtain an application, please submit a letter of intent no more than one page long. It may be submitted at any time to following address,

Hereditary Disease Foundation
Attn: Carl D. Johnson, PhD
3960 Broadway, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10032
USA

The maximum award for research grants is $50,000. Grants are usually for one year with a possibility of renewal. Grants are considered seed money. If the project shows promise, it is hoped that other institutions will fund it thereafter. The Foundation does not generally include the salary of the principle investigator. Indirect costs are not allowed, but fringe benefits are considered part of personnel costs and are allowed.

Grant applications should be submitted by email and five hard copies. Supplemental material and reprints should be submitted with a file type of PDF(.pdf).

Applicants are notified of funding decisions by letter only.

To apply:

· Submit a letter of intent: There is no deadline – submit anytime, electronically using the form on the Foundation’s website:
http://www.hdfoundation.org/funding/intent.php.

The letter of intent should include:

o Contact information

o A summary of your proposed research project – 500 words or less

· Letter of Intent Review: Letters of intent are reviewed by a triage group. Turn-around is usually less than two weeks and the primary consideration is relevance to finding treatments and cures for Huntington’s disease. If a proposal is accepted, an application form for a full proposal is sent to the applicant by email. Applicants are encouraged to interact by email or phone with Carl Johnson, Ph.D., the Executive Director for Science, while preparing their application

Applications require:

· Administrative contact: Name, title, email address, phone & fax numbers and mailing address of the institutional representative who will manage the project. The application must be approved and signed by the institution.

· Project summary: Not to exceed 200 words.

· Budget (for Grants only): Grant funding is limited to $50,000. Except in unusual circumstances, salary support is not provided for the Principal Investigator. The Foundation does not provide funds for indirect costs or overhead. Postdoctoral Fellowship salaries are determined by the Foundation, based on number of years after receipt of a doctoral degree. Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards include $8,000 for supplies.

· Other current and pending support: Please provide a complete list (NIH format) indicating aims of each project and potential overlap with the current proposal.

· Biographical sketch: Attach a two-page biographical sketch (NIH format) for the Principal Investigator and other professional personnel. Include training, experience, recent publications and patent filings. Any supplemental materials, manuscripts or papers should be submitted electronically in PDF format.

· Protection of Human Subjects: Any study using human subjects must be approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the applicant institution. Please attach the completed “Protection of Human Subjects Assurance/Certification/Declaration” form.

· Protection of Animal Subjects: The transportation, care, and use of animals must be in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131 et. seq.) and other applicable Federal laws, guidelines, and policies.

· Study Proposal: Not to exceed 10 pages, including references. There is no need for an extensive, NIH style, introduction, but be sure to include a description of critical details of the proposed plan as well as documentation of research experience. Particular attention should be paid to the aims and anticipated outcomes of the study and on how they will help discover or develop treatments for Huntington’s disease.

Application Review:

Applications are reviewed by the Scientific Advisory Board of the Hereditary Disease Foundation. The SAB meets three times each year: in January, May and October. Applications received at least six weeks prior to the meeting are considered. Applicants will receive written notification of the funding decision shortly after the review meeting.

Award Payment:

If the application is approved for funding, payment will be made in two equal installments. Awardees must arrange, via email or in writing, activation of the Award. The first payment is sent immediately; the second will be made six months later, upon receipt of a progress report via email. A final report including a financial statement is also required.

Please submit completed applications both by email and five hard copies to:

Hereditary Disease Foundation
Attn: Carl D. Johnson, Ph.D.
Executive Director for Science
3960 Broadway, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10032