Elliott D. Weitzman, M.D. Research Grant--Sleep Research
Sleep Research Society Foundation
All Regions
12/01/2008
$20,000

The Sleep Research Society Foundation Elliott D. Weitzman, M.D. Research Grant is intended for researchers to gather additional pilot data for NIH or other federal grants that are scored but not funded (the SRS assumes that such grants have been reviewed by NIH). Grants that will be considered are those that have a sound plan but were noted for inadequate preliminary data or evidence of feasibility. One-year grants will be funded with each in the amount of up to $20,000.

The deadline for the receipt of proposal is December 1, 2008. All proposal must be submitted online. The Foundation encourages a non-binding letter of intent be submitted by October 15, 2008, and should include the principal investigator, institution, project title, previous funding received, and a brief biographical sketch.

Sleep Research Society
One Westbrook Corporate Center, Suite 920
Westchester, IL 60154

Phone: (708) 492-1093
Coordinator: kmcnamara@srsnet.org

Pilot Studies, Sleep
Junior Faculty, Junior Investigator, Junior Researcher, Junior Scientist, Physician Researcher, Sleep Specialist
J. Christian Gillin, M.D. Research Grant--Sleep Research
Sleep Research Society
All Regions
12/02/2008
$20,000

The Sleep Research Society Foundation J. Christian Gillin, M.D. Research Grant is intended to support beginning investigators in sleep research for the purpose of gathering pilot data to be used for future grant applications. One-year grants will be funded with each in the amount of up to $20,000.

The deadline for the receipt of proposal is December 1, 2008. All proposals must be submitted via email. The Foundation encourages a non-binding letter of intent be submitted by October 15, 2008, and should include the principal investigator, institution, project title, previous funding received, and a brief biographical sketch.

Sleep Research Society
One Westbrook Corporate Center, Suite 920
Westchester, IL 60154

Phone: (708) 492-1093
Coordinator: kmcnamara@srsnet.org

Pilot Studies, Sleep
New Investigator, New Researcher, Novice Researcher, Sleep Specialist, Young Investigator, Young Scientist, Physician Researcher
Therapeutics Development Initiative 2009
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
All Regions
01/20/2009
$0

Therapeutics Development Initiative 2009
Pre-Proposal Receipt Date: January 20, 2009 – 6:00pm US ET

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) announces the launch of its Therapeutics Development Initiative (TDI) for Spring 2009, a funding mechanism to support and stimulate preclinical Parkinson’s disease research at for-profit institutions. This funding program seeks to support preclinical development of Parkinson’s disease therapies which have the potential for fundamentally altering disease course and/or improving treatment of symptoms above and beyond current standards of care. Proposals must focus on key and critical preclinical studies necessary for developing, optimizing and evaluating therapeutic strategies that if successful can move into human testing.
Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed project will be solely that of the principal investigator who must be an employee of a for-profit entity. Academic investigators may have an advisory role in the project, but the operational and strategic ownership of the project must reside within the company.

Investigators may seek up to two years of funding for preclinical development and testing of novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment or prevention of Parkinson’s disease.

Please note that pre-proposals are mandatory and will be used to evaluate your proposal’s fit with the stated aims and review criteria of the RFP. All pre-proposals received in response to this program will be subjected to a triage process and only those pre-proposals deemed to be of suitable scientific merit will be invited to submit a full application.

MJFF employs an expedited, abbreviated granting mechanism to accelerate discoveries and ultimately translate findings to PD patients more quickly.

Conference Call
MJFF will hold a 45 minute long conference call on December 16, 2008 at 12:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time to clarify and explain the Therapeutics Development Initiative 2009 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.

While there are no restrictions as to the specific approaches to be studied under this RFP,
successful applications are most likely to focus on at least one of the following categories:
o Neuroprotective strategies focused on slowing or preventing the process of neuronal
death.
o Neuroregenerative strategies to restore or replace neuronal function.
o Novel drug delivery mechanisms and/or surgical procedures.
o Innovative therapeutic approaches to treat the motor and non-motor symptoms of PD,
including cognitive dysfunction, autonomic dysfunction, sleep disorders, or depression
among others.
o Therapeutic approaches to alleviate complications of PD treatment including dyskinesias,
etc.

If you would like to contact the Foundation, please call toll-free at 1-800-708-7644, or contact us by regular mail at the following address:

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
Church Street Station
P.O. Box 780
New York, NY 10008-0780

Clinical Pharmacist, Neurochemist, Neurologist, Neuroscientist, Scientist
Sleep Science Award
American Academy of Neurology
All Regions
11/03/2008
$1,500
Sleep Science Award
Sponsored by the AAN and the Sleep Section and endowed by Cephalon, Inc.

This award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to basic and/or clinical research in sleep.

Presentation

Recipient is expected to give a 10-minute presentation based on the selected manuscript during a scientific session at the American Academy of Neurology 61st Annual Meeting.

Recipient will receive:

Certificate of recognition and $1,500 prize
Complimentary registration for 61st Annual Meeting
Recognition at 2009 Awards Luncheon at 61st Annual Meeting
Eligibility
The individual must have made significant contributions to clinical or basic research in the neurology or neuroscience of sleep. Young and middle level investigators who are MDs or PhDs are elgibile to apply.

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

Completed application form
Current curriculum vitae indicating date of birth, training, and bibliography
A brief (maximum 200 words) summary of the major contribution to sleep research (abstract will be ineligible for submission to the 2009 Scientific Program)

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 Cheryl Alementi at calementi@aan.com or (651) 695-2737.
Neurologist, Sleep Specialist, Pulmonologist
Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation Research Grant Program
Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation
All Regions
12/01/2008
$35,000

Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation Research Grant Program

Through its annual research program, the RLS Foundation honors promising scientists whose work addresses the goals of the Foundation. The RLS Foundation encourages grant applications for basic and clinical research studies of restless legs syndrome (RLS). Basic science leading to a better understanding of RLS, innovative approaches, interdisciplinary studies, and support of promising postdoctoral candidates is given funding priority.

The RLS Foundation encourages grant applications for basic and clinical research studies of restless legs syndrome (RLS). Areas in need of further research include, but are not limited to:

Epidemiology: Ascertain the prevalence and incidence of RLS, including:

Percentage of seriously affected individuals
Racial, gender, or geographic variations
Percentage of genetic versus other causes
Age of onset
Degree of association with comorbidities (such as ESRD, pregnancy, lumbosacral disease, Parkinson’s disease, and ADHD)
Neurophysiology

Identify neurophysiologic correlates in individuals with RLS and periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), those with RLS and no PLMD, and those with PLMD and no RLS
Investigate the sensorimotor physiology associated with RLS symptoms
Dopamine: Investigate the dopaminergic regulation of movement and determine the receptors most associated with RLS

Genetics: Develop strategies for identifying the genes responsible for RLS

Iron: Examine the role of iron metabolism in RLS

Treatment models: Evaluate drug effects on RLS in vitro, using an animal model, or with advanced technology (i.e., MRI, PET scan)

Circadian rhythm: Identify, quantify, and correlate the role of circadian rhythms in RLS

Postdoctoral candidates: Support of the work of promising postdoctoral candidates or fellows working under the direction of established investigators on topics of potential relevance to RLS

Application Process: Initial contact should be through a letter of intent, containing the following: a one-page abstract of the proposed project, including its clearly stated relevance in addressing one or both of the RLS Foundation’s goals of finding a cure and developing effective treatments; a copy of the principal investigator’s NIH-style bio-bibliography; and a tentative budget as well as a list of other sources of funding.

Basic science leading to a better understanding of RLS, innovative approaches, interdisciplinary studies, and support of promising postdoctoral candidates will be given priority.

The Foundation will fund three to five grants of $20,000 to $35,000 each for one year with a potential for renewal of support for an additional year. The Foundation will not fund indirect costs. Payments will be made directly to the principal investigator’s institution.

The RLS Foundation
Contact us

LEGAL NAME: Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation, Inc

ADDRESS: 1610 14th St NW Suite 300 / Rochester, MN 55901

PHONE: 507-287-6465

INFO LINE: 877-INFO RLS

FAX: 507-287-6312

EMAIL: rlsfoundation@rls.org

WEBSITE: www.rls.org

TAX STATUS: 501 (c)(3)

Epidemiologogist, Sleep Specialist
National Sleep Foundation Pickwick Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
National Sleep Foundation
All Regions
11/01/2008
$43,000
NSF Pickwick Postdoctoral Research FellowshipsAbout the NSF Pickwick Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Sleep
Since 1995, the National Sleep Foundation Pickwick Postdoctoral Fellowship program has provided funds to enable young researchers to devote full-time professional effort to mentored research in sleep or sleep disorders. Fellowships are available for basic, applied or clinical research.

Who Can Apply?
Applicants for the NSF Pickwick Postdoctoral Fellowship must have a sponsor and plan to conduct research in recognized U.S. or Canadian programs of study or laboratories with strong mentorship in the appropriate area. Non-US citizens are eligible. A laboratory can have a maximum of one NSF Pickwick Fellow at any given time.

Candidates must have received either an MD, DVM, PhD or DO degree by the time the fellowship begins in July 2009. The degree or subsequent training must have been completed within the past five years. Individuals who have received a National Institutes of Health or National Science Foundation Research Grant, or hold a faculty position, are not eligible. The applicant must demonstrate evidence of aptitude for and proficiency in research and interest in pursuing a career in sleep research. Recipients are supported to conduct mentored research for a greater proportion (at least 75%) of their time.

Award Structure
Pickwick Fellows receive funding based on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Research Service Award (NRSA) schedule, which is based on years of postdoctoral research experience, plus a benefits allowance of $7,000.

Award Structure

Year 0 $36,996 plus $7,000 benefits
Year 1 $38,976 plus $7,000 benefits
Year 2 $41,796 plus $7,000 benefits
Year 3 $43,428 plus $7,000 benefits
Year 4 $45,048 plus $7,000 benefits

The funding amount is for two years, with the second year of support dependent upon satisfactory progress in the first year.

Time Frame
The deadline for application is November 1, 2008. Awardees will be notified by April 1, 2009. Funding begins July, 2009.

How To Apply
The application used for this year's NSF Pickwick Postdoctoral Fellowship program is the same as that required for the National Research Service Award for individual postdoctoral fellows (NRSA PHS 416-1), available with instructions from the NIH, but with minor changes. These changes are as follows:

The description of the research training plan is limited to five pages.

The sponsor should limit responses on Previous Trainees, Training Plan/Environment/Research Facilities, and Number of Fellows/Trainees to Be Supervised During Fellowship to a single page.

The candidate should assist the sponsor in writing Applicant's Qualifications and Potential.

The methodology for use of human subjects or vertebrate animals use in the proposed research must be described in the Research Training Plan, including completing section E for human subjects or section F for vertebrate animals. Prior to funding of the Pickwick Fellowship, a copy of the letter of approval of the research protocol by the Institutional Review Board (IRB, human subjects) or the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC, vertebrate animals) must be submitted to NSF.

The candidate should submit a budget that itemizes the use of the funds and lists other sources of funding. The greater proportion of funds should be applied to salary. Indirect costs will not be covered. A financial statement is required at the end of each year.

Include a cover letter indicating your interest and plans for pursuing a career in sleep research.

E-mail the application and supplemental materials (e.g. articles) to Jessica Steinitz at jsteinitz@sleepfoundation.org.

For a copy of the application for the National Research Service Award (PHS 416-1) and instructions, you can access the NIH Web page and download the information.

Please contact Jessica Steinitz (jsteinitz@sleepfoundation.org) if you have any questions.

Physician Researcher, Sleep Specialist