Neuroradiology Grants

Society for Neuro-Oncology International Outreach Research Fellowship

Supported by the American Brain Tumor Association and EMD Serono

Purpose
With generous support from the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) and EMD Serono, the Society for Neuro-Oncology has established a $50,000 International Outreach Research Fellowship. The purpose of this one-year fellowship is to provide a program for professionals from outside North America to perform clinical, translational or basic research in the area of pediatric or adult neuro-oncology in a clinical and/or laboratory setting in the United States or Canada. One fellowship award was made in 2009, and SNO is now accepting applications for the 2010 Fellowship.

Eligibility
The fellowship is open to post graduate medical professionals working in the following areas: neurosurgery, neurology, radiation oncology, medical oncology, pathology, radiology, neuropsychology, allied health or basic science at the post-doctoral level. The applicant must be living outside of North America when the application is submitted and must not be a citizen of the United States or Canada. The applicant must be from an emerging or developing nation as classified by the International Monetary Fund.

Investigative Categories
All categories of investigative studies will be considered eligible for this fellowship, including (but not limited to) basic science, epidemiology, anatomic studies, preclinical or translational studies, and clinical trials. Areas of study may be within any subspecialty of neuro-oncology, including (but not limited to) primary brain tumors, metastatic brain tumors, spine and spinal cord tumors, peripheral nerve tumors, and skull base tumors. The awarded Fellow will not provide any direct patient care, and contact with patients will be limited to an observational basis only.

Award
SNO will provide the host institution with $50,000 in salary support and travel expenses for a one-year period. Institutional overhead and indirect costs are not provided with the award.

Host Institutions
The Society for Neuro-Oncology has established a list of host institutions in North America who are interested in hosting the SNO International Outreach Research Fellow. This list is posted on the SNO website.

Application Process and Review
The application process consists of the following elements:

1. Fellowship Application & Biographical Data
The application includes a formal proposal that outlines the aims of the project, the background/rationale for the work, any preliminary results or supporting data for the project, and a detailed study design. The applicant must also submit a personal biographical sketch, a description of future academic plans, and a statement of why studying in North America will be important for the completion of the work.

2. Letters from Home Institutions

* Letter of reference from your current department chair (or institutional supervisor) outlining what skills are lacking in the area, and how the knowledge gained from the Fellowship will make a positive impact in the department and the region upon your return home.
* Letter of reference from a mentor or independent professional who is familiar with your work in the field of neuro-oncology.

3. Host Letter of Support
The applicant must also include a letter of support from one of the participating host institutions.

4. Review Process
A SNO review committee will examine all submissions. The fellowship will be awarded based on the novelty and scientific merit of the proposed study and the credentials of the applicant.

Awarded Fellows
At the completion of the project, the winning fellow will be required to submit a written Summary Report describing the results of the study. The applicant may also present an oral summary of the project at the Society for Neuro-Oncology Annual Meeting.

Important Dates
Call for Applications: June 23, 2010
Application Deadline: October 18, 2010
Application Awarded: December 1, 2010
Fellowship Commencement: July 1, 2011

Society for Neuro-Oncology
4617 Birch Street
Bellaire, TX 77401-5509

Request for Proposals: Novel Approaches to Drug Discovery for Alzheimer’s Disease

ADDF funds drug discovery research programs from domestic and international investigators in academia and biotechnology companies. In addition, ADDF initiates, sponsors, and co-sponsors conferences to stimulate new ideas and approaches in areas of interest to the Foundation, bringing together physicians, scientists, and policy makers worldwide.

As a biomedical venture philanthropy, ADDF seeks to fill the critical translational funding gap between basic research and later stage drug development. We fund high risk, early stage drug discovery and development projects and catalyze scientists to enter the drug discovery field. We have adapted the operating model and principles of venture capital investing to our philanthropic mission in biomedical research. We help to create new biotechnology companies, and to fund early stage biotechnology companies, with programs dedicated to Alzheimer’s disease drug discovery. We seek a return on investment for all of our grants based on the achievement of scientific milestones. When these milestones are met, funds return to the Foundation to increase our ability to support more research.

ADDF FUNDING PROGRAMS
• ADDF Academic Drug Discovery and Development Program seeks to create and support innovative translational programs for Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias and cognitive aging in academic medical centers and universities. Biomarker development studies and innovative proof of concept pilot clinical trials of new approaches to treatment, prevention and early detection are also supported.

• ADDF Biotechnology Development Program supports qualified scientific projects in existing, private, early-stage biotechnology companies. ADDF will provide support for qualified projects in more advanced companies if a clear need for non-profit funding to support the project can be demonstrated and justified.

• ADDF Biotechnology Founders Technology Transfer Program supports academic programs that are eligible for technology transfer and the start-up of new biotechnology companies. Up to 35% of funds from these awards may be employed for expenses related to company formation, such as administrative, legal, patent and third-party vendor costs.

RESEARCH FUNDING PRIORITIES
• Treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive aging: ADDF supports drug discovery and drug development efforts towards novel treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and cognitive decline associated with aging. These may include disease modifying agents for preventing or delaying progression as well as cognitive enhancers. ADDF provides funding for target validation and proof-of-concept studies, high throughput screening of chemical libraries, lead discovery and optimization, rational medicinal chemistry, and pre-clinical drug development. ADDF also supports small proof-of principle clinical research studies.

• Early detection and prevention: ADDF supports the development of biomarkers, such as advanced brain imaging technologies, CSF and blood tests for the early detection of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. ADDF also supports clinical research projects to improve early detection of cognitive impairment through population-based approaches that can impact large numbers of individuals at risk.

GENERAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Grant applications are usually solicited by private invitation. Unsolicited proposals are also accepted, but inquiries with ADDF staff are encouraged to determine the Foundation’s interest prior to application. ADDF provides support for 1 year of research with potential for future follow-on funding. We seek successful long-term partnerships with investigators and research organizations.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Full application guidelines and further information can be found on our website (www.alzdiscovery.org). All applicants are required to complete an electronic "Letter of Intent" (LOI) available on our website. After review of the LOI, we may invite a full application via email with a link to the electronic application form. ADDF will attempt to make a determination of interest within 90 days of receipt of the application.

ADDF accepts grant applications for the “General Request for Proposals” research award programs throughout the year (2010 deadlines for full proposals are January 7, April 1, July 1, and October 1).

If you would like to contact the Foundation, please call (212) 935-2402, or contact us by regular mail at the following address:

Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation
1414 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 1502
New York, NY 10019