Funding Opportunities

LATE SUMMER/EARLY FALL OPPORTUNITIES

ALCOHOL USE RESEARCH

ABMRF/The Foundation for Alcohol Research
Deadline: September 1, 2011
Funding: $50,000
Purpose: The Foundation accepts applications for grants to conduct research on important aspects of alcohol consumption and its effects. Overall, the following areas are more directly related to the mission of the Foundation, and therefore, are of greater interest:

• Factors influencing transitions in drinking patterns and behavior,
• Effects of moderate use of alcohol on health and well-being,
• Mechanisms underlying the behavioral and biomedical effects of alcohol,
• Biobehavioral/interdisciplinary research on the etiology of alcohol misuse.

Eligibility: Non-research activities such as education projects, public awareness efforts and treatment or referral services are not eligible for support. The Foundation also does not support the training of pre- and post-doctoral fellows, undergraduates, graduate students, medical students, interns or residents. It does not fund thesis or dissertation research.Highest priority is given to young investigators, new to the field or trained in the field, to start a new line of independent research. The next level of priority is to investigators outside alcohol research bringing innovative ideas to the field. Lowest priority is given to established investigators in the alcohol research field unless the application offers an extraordinary new idea.
Link: http://www.abmrf.org/grant_program.asp

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ALZHEIMER’S/ FRONTOTEMPORAL DEGENERATION

Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), Translational Research
Deadline: September 21, 2011 (LOI); October 5, 2011 (full proposal)
Funding: $150,000/year for up to 2 years
Purpose: The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) funds drug discovery and development research programs in the field of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), related dementias and cognitive aging. ADDF does not support basic research and solely allocates funding towards translational research efforts. The ADDF funds four different categories of research: Drug Discovery (target validation; high throughput screening; medicinal chemistry, including hit to lead development and lead optimization; in vitro and in vivo studies of efficacy, ADME, toxicology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; and in vivo proof‐of‐concept with lead compounds and biologics), Early Detection (development of biomarkers to accelerate drug development and early diagnosis), Clinical Trials (innovative pilot clinical trials) and Prevention (targeted pharmacological and non‐pharmacological approaches to prevention).
Link: http://www.alzdiscovery.org/index.php/research-programs/grant-opportunities

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Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, Program to Accelerate Clinical Trials
Deadline: September 21, 2011 (LOI); full proposal due October 5, 2011
Funding: Up to $1M
Purpose: The goal of the Program to Accelerate Clinical Trials for Alzheimer's disease is to increase the number of innovative drugs tested in humans for Alzheimer’s disease. This program will fund biomarker-based pilot clinical trials.
Link: http://www.alzdiscovery.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/2011-pact-rfp.pdf

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Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation/Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration:
Novel Biomarkers to Accelerate Drug Discovery for Frontotemporal Dementias
Deadline: August 25, 2011 (LOI); September 8, 2011 (Application)
Funding: Up to $150,000 over one year
Purpose: Drug discovery for frontotemporal dementias (FTD) and spectrum disorders has been hindered by the heterogeneity of the disease. FTD-specific biomarkers that reflect pathological and clinical differences are needed to select appropriate patients for clinical trials and monitor responses to investigational treatments. The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) and The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) challenge scientists to meet this unmet medical need.
The ADDF and AFTD are particularly interested in:
• Defining and validating clinical outcomes for FTD subpopulations for use in clinical trials
• FTD-relevant imaging agents
• CSF- and plasma-based assays
• TDP-43 and tau-focused biomarkers specifically relevant to FTD populations
Link: http://www.alzdiscovery.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/2011-addf-aftd-ftd-rfp.pdf

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CANCER/TUMOR RESEARCH

American Cancer Society (ACS), Palliative Care of Cancer Patients and Their Families
Deadline: October 15, 2011 by 5:00 p.m.
Funding: Up to $120,000 over two years (plus 20% indirect costs)
Purpose: To support pilot and exploratory research whose purpose is to test interventions, develop research methodologies, and explore novel research in palliative care of seriously ill cancer patients and their families. Must address one or more of the following areas: 1) exploring the relationship of pain and other distressing symptoms on quality and quantity of life, independence, function, and disability and developing interventions directed at their treatment in patients with advanced and chronic illnesses; 2) studying methods of improving communication between adults living with serious illness, their families and their health care providers; and/or 3) evaluating models and systems of care for patients living with advanced illness and their families.
Eligibility: Must hold a doctorate degree; have a full-time faculty position; and be U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents.
Link:  http://www.cancer.org/Research/ResearchProgramsFunding/
FundingOpportunities/IndexofGrants/

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Concern Foundation
Deadline: September 8, 2011 (LOI)
Funding: $60,000 over one year
Purpose: Since 1968, Concern Foundation has funded well over 550 pediatric and adult cancer researchers worldwide studying many forms of cancer, primarily in the areas of immunology, immunotherapy, and the genetics of cancer. Concern specifically funds researchers who lack financial support for their first major research project and provides critically needed start up funds for promising projects. Concern Foundation is now accepting applications for its CONquer canCER Now award.
Eligibility: Grants will only be awarded to independent investigators at the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent with explanation).  Concern will require a letter from the applicant's Department Chair attesting to the applicant's faculty status and to the applicant's status as an independent investigator with independent laboratory space. This will need to be submitted along with the initial Letter of Intent from prospective applicants. Priority will be given to proposals from investigators who have yet to obtain significant funding for their work. Concern will not fund clinical trials, cancer epidemiology, or behavioral studies.
Link: http://www.concernfoundation.org/grants/how-to-apply

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DeGregorio Family Foundation for Stomach and Esophageal Cancer Research and Education
Deadline:  November 01, 2011 (Full Proposal)
Funding:  $250,000
Purpose:  The DeGregorio Family Foundation for Gastric and Esophageal Cancer offers a funding opportunity for gastroesophageal malignancies research. The Foundation seeks to promote and facilitate collaborative research on the pathogenesis, early diagnosis, and treatment of upper gastrointestinal malignancies. They wish to support high quality and innovative bench, clinical, and translational research to improve our understanding of the biology of these diseases, or identification of potential novel therapeutic targets, or in the development and evaluation of novel biomarkers for early diagnosis and treatment.
Eligibility:  Ph.D., M.D., other professional.
Link:  http://www.degregorio.org/missionstatement.cfm

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Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Career Catalyst Research Awards
Deadline: August 30, 2011 (pre-application)
Funding: $450,000 over three years
Purpose: Career Catalyst Research Awards provide unique opportunities for scientists in the early stages of their careers to achieve research independence. The awards fund breast cancer research in three areas:

• Basic: To expand skills and expertise in basic sciences and methods substantially advancing progress in breast cancer research and have significant potential to lead to future reductions in breast cancer incidence and/or mortality.
• Translational/Clinical: To expand skill and expertise in the application of laboratory, clinical and applied disciplines to research translating laboratory, clinical and/or population discoveries into important new clinical tools and applications, with significant potential to reduce breast cancer incidence and/or mortality within the decade.
• Disparities in Breast Cancer Outcomes across Population Groups: To expand understanding of the biologic, behavioral and social causes of disparities in breast cancer outcomes across population groups. Or expanding expertise in identifying, validating and testing health services and public health interventions that address the causes of disparities in care and outcomes across population groups.

Eligibility: Grants are available to applicants with a doctoral degree, currently holding a faculty appointment. Applicants must not have held any faculty appointment, including non-tenure and tenure track appointments combined, for more than a total of 6 years at the time of application.
Link: http://ww5.komen.org/ResearchGrants/FundingOpportunities.html

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The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Deadline: September 15, 2011 at 3 p.m. (LOI)
Funding: $55,000 (Fellow); $65,000 (Special Fellow & Special Fellow in Clinical Research); $110,000 (Scholar & Scholar in Clinical Research)
Purpose: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS's) Career Development Program (CDP) provides awards intended to meet the specific needs of investigators at different states in their research careers. The awards - Scholar, Scholar in Clinical Research, Special Fellow, Special Fellow in Clinical Research and Fellow - provide stipends to investigators, allowing them to devote themselves to research bearing on leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. The CDP supports fundamental research in genetics, molecular and cell biology, molecular pharmacology, molecular virology and immunology. The program also encompasses translational research directly relevant to the improved treatment or diagnosis of leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and, where applicable, to prevention.

• Scholars are highly qualified investigators who have shown a capacity for independent, sustained original investigation in the field of leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. These Scholars are expected to hold independent faculty-level or equivalent positions and have obtained substantial support for their research from a national agency.
• Scholars in Clinical Research are highly qualified investigators who are expected to hold independent faculty-level appointments and who are conducting original, independent applied research, often involving early-stage clinical trials which will advance the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of hematologic malignancies.
• Special Fellows are qualified investigators who have completed a minimum of two years of postdoctoral research training and are continuing their research under the direction of a research Sponsor. The Special Fellowship should permit the scientist to begin to transition to an independent research program.
• Special Fellows in Clinical Research are researchers who hold a Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent degree and have completed a minimum of two years of clinical hematology, oncology, hematology/oncology or hematopathology training or postdoctoral research training in a clinical discipline (e.g., cytogenetics, molecular pathology).  These grantees should provide evidence that their career focus will be on the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma. 
• Fellows are promising investigators with less than two years of postdoctoral research training. These grantees are encouraged to embark on an academic career involving clinical or fundamental research in, or related to, leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma under the direction of a research sponsor.

Link: http://cml.leukemia-lymphoma.org/CMLApp/Controller?action=
loadContent&itemid=11618

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Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Innovative Grants
Deadline: October 3, 2011 (LOI)
Funding: $200,000 over two years
Purpose: Supports creative and cutting edge ideas or approaches, including those successful in other areas of cancer with promise for pancreatic cancer.
Eligibility: For full-time junior and senior faculty.
Link: http://www.pancan.org/section_research/research_grants_program/
apply_for_a_grant.php

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Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Career Development Awards
Deadline: October 31, 2011
Funding: $200,000 over two years
Purpose: Supports newly independent investigators to develop or strengthen a research program in pancreatic cancer.
Eligibility: For junior faculty in first four years of a full-time appointment.
Link: http://www.pancan.org/section_research/research_grants_program/
apply_for_a_grant.php

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Pediatric Low Grade Astrocytoma Foundation (PLGA)
Deadline: Open (LOI).  The grant cycle is an ongoing process throughout the year.
Funding: Award funding is based on size, impact, and complexity of projects. All grants are awarded with the understanding of 0 percent overhead. Funding can be awarded over one, two, or three years. 
Purpose:  The PLGA Foundation was founded to improve the treatment, quality of life, and long-term outlook for children with brain tumors through research, support, education, and advocacy. Priority is to act as a catalyst for researchers world-wide to turn attention to the area of PLGA brain tumor research and award research grants for the most promising programs and studies that will lead to a better understanding of the causes of PLGA, creation of more effective brain tumor treatments, and a cure for pediatric low grade astrocytoma tumors. Proposals related to basic and translational projects that can advance understanding of the underlying biology of the development and treatment of PLGA tumors will be considered. Will also consider funding start-up, dedicated PLGA research programs at specific medical institutions. 
Eligibility: Ph.D./M.D./Other Professional. Investigators in the early years of their careers are encouraged to apply. Previous PLGA Foundation grant recipients are eligible to apply.  Investigators from all over the world are invited. Guidelines, forms, and requirements for the grant proposal will be provided when pre-applicants are notified of PLGA Foundation solicitation.
Link:  http://www.fightplga.org/research/Apply_for_a_Grant

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Wendy Will Case Cancer Fund
Deadline: October 1, 2011
Funding: $30,000
Purpose: The fund supports promising cancer researchers and helps them establish "track records." The fund is primarily interested in, but not limited to, clinically related research. The fund does not consider grants for the continuation of projects previously funded.
Link: http://www.wwccf.org/

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CARDIAC/CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH

Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation, Research Awards
Deadline: September 2, 2011
Funding: Up to $50,000 over one year
Purpose: To support innovative basic, clinical, or translational studies relevant to the cause or treatment of cardiomyopathy in children under the age of 18 years.
Eligibility: Applicants must have a doctorate degree (M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent), a faculty appointment, and the proven ability to pursue independent research as evidenced in publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Additional Information:  The CCF grant program is designed to provide seed funding to investigators for the testing of initial hypotheses and collecting of preliminary data to help secure long-term funding from other sources. CCF expects to make award decisions by January 2012.
Link:  http://www.childrenscardiomyopathy.org/site/grants.php

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DIABETES/JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Deadline: September 9, 2011 (LOI)
Funding: $400,000 over two years
Purpose: The Foundation solicits research proposals for the study of modifications of beta cell antigens in the immunopathogenesis and treatment of type 1 diabetes (T1D). The Foundation is committed and most interested in investigator-initiated proposals that focus on research that will translate to clinical results.
Link: http://www.jdrf.org/files/General_Files/For_Scientists/MS2011/
RFA_ModificationsBCAntigens_FINAL_6.22.11.pdf

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Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF), Postdoctoral Fellowships
Deadline: September 15, 2011 (Application) 
Funding: $43,240 to $57,568 per year for three years, assuming satisfactory progress. Amounts are based on years of relevant postdoctoral experience, from 0 to 7 years. No indirect costs allowed for fellowships. Award is renewable for 2nd year pending submission and approval of a renewal application and progress report. 
Purpose: Designed to attract qualified, promising scientists entering their professional career in the diabetes research field; intended for those in a relatively early state in their career.
Eligibility: Ph.D./M.D./Other Professional
Link:  http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=114012

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Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF), Innovation Grants
Funding: Upper Amount $110,000 for 1 year, including up to 10% for indirect costs
Deadline: September 15, 2011
Purpose: Seed funding is available for highly innovative research with potential significant impact on accelerating the mission of foundation. The innovative research should have the potential for a change in the current paradigm or conventional wisdom or to lead to a seminal discovery or to be groundbreaking. Preliminary data is not required in the proposal but the underlying premise, goal, or hypothesis must be plausible and the proposal must be focused with a well defined goal. 
Eligibility: Applications may be submitted by domestic and foreign nonprofit organizations, public and private, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of state and local governments, and eligible agencies of the federal government. Applicants must hold an M.D., D.M.D., D.V.M., Ph.D., or equivalent and have a faculty position or equivalent at a college, university, medical school, or other research facility. There are no citizenship requirements for this program. To assure continued excellence and diversity among applicants and awardees, JDRF welcomes applications from all qualified individuals and encourages applications from persons with disabilities, women, and members of minority groups underrepresented in the sciences. 
Eligibility: Ph.D./M.D./Other Professional
Link:  http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=113999

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DRUG TRIALS/DRUG DEVELOPMENT

The Stanley Medical Research Institute, Treatment Trials & Drug Development Awards
Deadline: October 1, 2011 (Application)
Funding: Up to $300,000/year for 1-3 years ($900,000 max.)
Note: For most awards, the maximum amount is $300,000 per year for up to three years, depending on the stage of development of compounds to be tested and the type of trial required. Special treatment trials may be funded at a higher level. Indirect costs of up to 15 percent may be included as part of the total grant budget, i.e., the total direct and indirect costs for each year cannot exceed $300,000. Applicants should request whatever funds they will need to conduct the proposed research. SMRI is flexible on budget item inclusions.
Eligibility: Applications accepted from researchers in any country except where prohibited by United States law. Skills and academic experience will be considered, but no particular academic degree is required. 
Purpose: The largest program at SMRI is for identification of medications to improve treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Although some medications have been available since the 1960s, they have proven only partially effective. Many individuals with these diseases continue to have symptoms even when taking available medications, while others find it difficult to take medications because of side effects.
Two Award Types: 
I. Regular Treatment Trials: To support testing of medications to assess their efficacy for treating schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. SMRI is especially interested in supporting testing of medications that are unlikely to be tested by pharmaceutical companies because they are not commercially profitable.
II. Special Treatment Trials and Drug Development: Special treatment trials are usually multi-center trials that require more than $300,000 per year to carry out. Such trials are usually reserved for medications for which preliminary SMRI-supported trials have been promising. SMRI has, in the past, also supported the development of promising medications at selected corporate biotechnology companies. At this time, such funds are fully committed, and new applications are not being accepted. 
Link: http://www.stanleyresearch.org/dnn/TreatmentTrialsandDrugDevelopment/
Overview/tabid/158/Default.aspx

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EPILEPSY RESEARCH

The Epilepsy Foundation
Deadline: August 31, 2011 at 5 p.m.
Funding: $50,000 for one year
Purpose: The Research Grants Program stimulates epilepsy research by providing funding for investigators in the early stages of their careers. Seed grants are awarded to clinical investigators or basic scientists for support of biological or behavioral research which will advance the understanding, treatment, and prevention of epilepsy.
Eligibility: Applicants must hold a Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Science, or equivalent degree.  The eligibility of people holding other doctoral level degrees (ex. PharmD) may be considered by the Foundation’s Research Council based on the merit of the research proposal. Applicants also must hold an academic appointment at the level of Assistant Professor in a university or medical school, or equivalent standing at a research institution or medical center.  Those with equivalent positions must demonstrate equivalence of appointment through a letter of explanation.  Those with appointments at the level of Associate Professor or higher are not eligible. Applications from women, members of minority groups, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged. Applications from established investigators (Associate Professor level or above) and those that are PIs or co-PIs on past or currently active major federal grants such as NIH (R, P or K series grants), DOD, or NSF are ineligible.
Link: http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/research/grants.cfm#3

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GLAUCOMA RESEARCH

The Glaucoma Foundation
Deadline: September 1, 2011
Funding: up to $40,000 for one year
Purpose: The Glaucoma Foundation offers grants to doctors and scientists striving to improve the lives of glaucoma patients through research. The Foundation's three areas of particular focus for grant-in-aid funding are Optic Nerve Rescue and Restoration, Molecular Genetics, and Nanotechnology.
Eligibility: Applicants must have a full time faculty position or the equivalent and must clearly demonstrate the Principal Investigator’s understanding of glaucoma or his or her collaboration with an investigator who has experience in glaucoma research. If collaboration is warranted, a letter of support from the glaucoma researcher must be included in the application. The Glaucoma Foundation does not provide funds for Investigator salaries, travel, overhead or other indirect costs.
Link: http://www.glaucomafoundation.org/Grant_Application.htm

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HEARING LOSS

The National Organization for Hearing Research Foundation
Deadline: October 7, 2011
Funding: $20,000
Purpose: The Organization awards grants for exploration into innovative biomedical research
areas in the preventions, causes, treatments and cures of hearing loss and deafness. It encourages proposals related to biological restoration of hearing.
Eligibility: Clinicians and researchers qualified in the field of auditory science may apply. Applications from researchers in other disciplines who will conduct research directly relevant to auditory science are also encouraged.
Link: http://nohrfoundation.org/2011awards

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HIV/AIDS RESEARCH

Creative and Novel Ideas in HIV Research (CNIHR)
Deadline: October 17, 2011
Funding: Up to $150,000 (direct costs) per year for up to 2 years, plus applicable indirect costs. Second year funding contingent on demonstration of satisfactory progress during year one.  International awardees are limited to 8% IDC. Additional support will be provided for grantee and mentor to attend the International AIDS Society conferences. Successful applicants will be expected to contribute at least 25% of their time to the CNIHR project. CNIHR anticipates making 6-12 awards.
Purpose:  To create a mechanism via the established Centers for AIDS Research (CFARs) to fund developmental projects to bring insight and new ideas to the HIV/AIDS field of study from early stage investigators with expertise in other disciplines. The intent of this program is to attract both international and U.S.-based young, early stage investigators from outside the field of HIV/AIDS research to help address new questions related to emerging issues of long-term survival with HIV infection and the prevention of HIV transmission. Research topics could include any aspect of science, but may not include clinical trials of new drugs, treatments, or devices; or off-label use of a licensed drug.
Eligibility: Investigators with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research. They can be from any relevant discipline. Eligible PIs must work with their institution to develop application. Applicants may be located at a CFAR site or elsewhere. Applicants from all countries (excluding embargoed countries) are encouraged to apply. Junior investigators (completed terminal degree/medical residency within last 10 years) who are faculty (e.g. assistant professor, senior lecturer, etc.) in good standing at an academic or research institution.  Post-doctoral trainees are eligible to apply IF they have completed their training and have faculty or comparable position prior to February 9, 2012. 
Researchers with any previous grant, contract, sub-award or publication in HIV/AIDS research are ineligible.
Link:  http://cnihr.org/requestforproposals

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INFECTIOUS DISEASE FELLOWSHIP

Burroughs Wellcome Fund/American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Postdoctoral Fellowship in Tropical Infectious Diseases (BWF/ASTMH Fellowship)
Funding: $135,000 (2 yrs at $65,000/yr to cover travel, stipend, fringe benefits, health insurance, and capacity development at the overseas.)  No indirect costs.
Deadline: September 7, 2011. Applications will be accepted beginning the week of August 8, 2011.
Purpose: The postdoctoral fellowship was established in 1999 to support career development of physician/scientists focused on infectious diseases of the developing world. Thanks to a generous grant from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, these fellowships provide funding for individuals to conduct research in tropical infectious diseases (and, on occasion, other clinical conditions unique to tropical medicine). The fellowship is designed to stimulate or sustain interest in research in tropical infectious diseases by individuals who are planning academic or other career paths ultimately focused on clinical research relevant to tropical or developing areas of the world. 
Eligibility: Ph.D./M.D./Other Professional. Program targets postdoctoral infectious disease fellows, but applicants who have completed training in other clinical specialties relevant to tropical medicine (e.g., internal medicine, pediatrics, OB/GYN) will also be considered. Individual with an academic appointment of fellow must propose to perform research in tropical infectious diseases. The award is not intended for students, pre-doctoral candidates, or faculty-level applicants. Preference will be given to North American clinician-scientists enrolled in (or accepted by) a fellowship program approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Particular consideration will be given to candidates seeking support for their third (research) year of fellowship training.
Link:  http://www.astmh.org/ASTMH_Sponsored_Fellowships/2617.htm

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MEDICAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT/YOUNG SCIENTISTS

Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Scientific Interface Career Awards
Deadline: September 1, 2011 at 4 p.m. (pre-proposal)
Funding: $500,000
Purpose: The Fund's Career Awards at the Scientific Interface are intended to foster the early career development of researchers with backgrounds in the physical/mathematical/computational sciences and engineers whose work addresses biological questions, and who are dedicated to pursuing a career in academic research. Candidates are expected to draw from their training in a scientific field other than biology to propose innovative approaches to answer important questions in the biological sciences.
Eligibility: Candidates must hold a Ph.D. degree in one of the fields of mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, statistics, or engineering; must have completed at least 12 months but not more than 48 months of postdoctoral research by the date of the full invited application deadline (January 11, 2012); cannot hold nor have accepted, either in writing or verbally, a faculty appointment as a tenure-track assistant professor at the time of application—both preproposal and full application; must be committed to a full-time career in research as an independent investigator at a North American degree-granting institution; must have at least one first-author publication; must not hold nor have accepted a K99 award from the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
Link: http://www.bwfund.org/pages/558/Career-Awards-at-the-Scientific-Interface/

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Elsevier Foundation, New Scholars Program
Deadline: September 1, 2011
Funding: $5,000-$50,000
Purpose: The Foundation's New Scholars Program supports projects to help early- to mid-career women scientists balance family responsibilities with demanding academic careers. New Scholars seeks to actively address the attrition rate of talented women scientists caused by work-life balance issues. The Foundation provides one, two and three year grants to STEM institutions and organizations actively working towards a more equitable academia by:

• Encouraging networking and collaborations among institutions and/or across STEM disciplines in ways that support the challenges of faculty and staff with family responsibilities.
• Developing and implementing strategies for advocacy and policy development to advance knowledge, awareness, and application of programs to retain, recruit and develop women in science.
• Enabling scientists to attend conferences, meetings, workshops and symposia that are critical to the development of a career in science by helping them with childcare and other family responsibilities when attending scientific gatherings.

Link: http://www.elsevierfoundation.org/new-scholars/how-to-apply/

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Searle Scholars Program
Deadline: September 30, 2011
Funding: $300,000 over three years
Purpose: The Searle Scholars Program makes grants to selected academic institutions to support the independent research of outstanding young scientists who have recently been appointed as assistant professors on a tenure-track appointment. Applicants for year 2012 awards will be expected to be pursuing independent research careers in biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, immunology, neuroscience, pharmacology, and related areas in chemistry, medicine, and the biological sciences.
Eligibility: Candidates should have begun their first appointment as an independent investigator at the assistant professor level on or after July 1, 2010. Appointment must be a tenure-track position (or equivalent) at invited institution (Drexel is one). The Program does not ordinarily support purely clinical research but has supported research programs that include both clinical and basic components.
Note: Individuals considering submitting applications should consult with their Provost, Graduate Dean and Vice President for Research or a similarly situated academic officer to determine how many applications their institution has been allowed to submit, as well as how selections will be made within their institutions.
Link: http://www.searlescholars.net/go.php?id=5

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MEDICAL EDUCATION/POST DOC

Life Sciences Research Foundation, Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
Deadline: October 1, 2011 
Funding: Up to $168,000 over three years
Purpose: To support young researchers in basic life sciences research in the fields of: biochemistry; cell, developmental, molecular, plant, structural, organismic population and evolutionary biology; endocrinology; immunology; microbiology; neurobiology; physiology; and virology.
 Eligibility: Must hold an M.D., Ph.D., D.V.M., or D.D.S. degree and not yet have a faculty appointment. No more than one LSRF fellow in any one laboratory at a time.
Link:  http://www.lsrf.org/pages/application.htm

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MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH

The Stanley Medical Research Institute, Treatment Trials and Drug Development
Deadline: October 1, 2011
Funding: Up to $300,000/year for up to 3 years
Purpose: The Stanley Medical Research Institute is a nonprofit organization supporting research on the causes of, and treatments for, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The Institute's Treatment Trials and Drug Development program supports the testing of medications to assess their efficacy for treating schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The Institute is especially interested in the repurposing of existing drugs and supporting the testing of medications that are unlikely to be tested by pharmaceutical companies because they are not commercially profitable.
Eligibility: Applications will be accepted from researchers in any country except where prohibited by United States law. The skills and academic experience of the applicant will be considered, but no particular academic degree is required.
Link: http://www.stanleyresearch.org/dnn/TreatmentTrialsandDrugDevelopment/
Overview/tabid/158/Default.aspx

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NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE/NEUROBIOLOGY RESEARCH

American Academy of Neurology Foundation
Deadline: October 1, 2011
Funding: $120,000 over two years (Clinical Research Training Fellowships and Practice Research Training Fellowships); $230,000 over three years (Clinician-Scientist Development Awards)
Purpose: The Foundation has dedicated its grant making efforts toward investing in young researchers. It has identified and developed several funding mechanisms to help achieve this goal:

• Clinical Research Training Fellowships are mentored awards designed for relatively new investigators in the early-to-mid stages of their training in clinical research methodology.
• Clinician-Scientist Development Awards are three-year awards to support clinical research leading to discovery of new therapies in specific disease areas (Myasthenia Gravis for 2012).
• Practice Research Training Fellowships are two-year awards to support training in clinical practice research and are intended to create unique training opportunities, previously difficult to access for neurologists. Clinical practice research may include evaluation of health services, quality of care, implementation of proven therapies, physician performance, or patient adherence.

Link: http://www.aan.com/go/foundation/research

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Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation, Inc. (BEBRF)
Funding: Up to $150,000
Deadline: August 31, 2011 (Application)  
Purpose: To undertake, promote, develop, and carry on the search for the cause and a cure for benign essential blepharospasm and other related disorders and infirmities of the facial musculature. Funds are available for support of research directly related to blepharospasm or Meige's Syndrome, both forms of cranial dystonia. Research proposals must relate specifically to benign essential blepharospasm and Meige to include new treatments, pathophysiology and genetics, photophobia, and dry eye. 
Eligibility: The principal investigator must have an M.D. or Ph.D. Non-U.S. citizens who are working at institutions abroad are also eligible to apply for a research grant.
Link:  http://www.blepharospasm.org/res-prop.html

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Whitehall Foundation, Research Grants
Deadline: October 1, 2011 (Letter of Intent)
Funding: Up to $225,000 over three years
Purpose: To support basic research in neurobiology.
Eligibility: Applicants must be assistant professors or productive senior scientists who wish to move into new fields of interest. They must dedicate a minimum of 20 percent of their time to the proposed project and have less than $200,000 of existing support.
Additional Information: The Foundation's current focus is on invertebrate and vertebrate (excluding clinical) neurobiology, specifically investigations of neural mechanisms involved in sensory, motor, and other complex functions of the whole organism as these relate to behavior. The overall goal of the research should be to better understand behavioral output or brain mechanisms of behavior.Research should not be well supported by federal agencies or other foundations. Letters of intent must be sent by U.S. or other mail carrier (not email), and include a cover page and abstract of proposed research.
Special Note: The Foundation also has a grants-in-aid program with the same deadline. See URL below.
Link:  http://www.whitehall.org/applying

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ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH

Orthopaedic Research and Educational Foundation
Deadline: September 15, 2011
Funding: Varied (see below)
Purpose: The Foundation is accepting applications for the following programs:

• Career Development Grant: These grants encourage a commitment to clinically relevant scientific research in orthopaedic surgery. Candidates must demonstrate a sustained interest in research and excellence in their training. Ph.D.s and D.V.M.s are eligible if they are affiliated with an orthopaedic department and working with an orthopaedic surgeon who is the principal investigator or co-principal investigator.  Funding is $225,000 over three years.
• Goldberg Research Grant in Arthritis: New orthopaedic investigators are invited to apply for a research grant in the field of arthritis. The principal or co-principal investigator must be an orthopaedic surgeon. Ph.D.s and D.V.M.s are eligible to apply if affiliated with an orthopaedic department. Applications for projects of a clinical or basic science nature will be accepted. One grant of $50,000 for one year is available.
• Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation Research Grant: This grant provides start-up funding or seed money for a new investigator doing research in the science of biologic skeletal reconstruction, including implants and stem cells. The principal or co-principal investigator must be an orthopaedic surgeon. Ph.D.s and D.V.M.s are eligible if they are affiliated with an orthopaedic department. Funds may not be used for salary.  Applications for projects of a clinical or basic science nature will be accepted. Funding is $100,000 over two years.
• Prospective Clinical Research Grant: This grant provides funding for a promising prospective clinical research project in an area of high clinical importance in orthopaedic surgery. The principal or co-principal investigator must be an orthopaedic surgeon. Ph.D.s and D.V.M.s are eligible to apply if affiliated with an orthopaedic department. Funding is $150,000 over three years.
• Synthes Clinical Research Grant in Trauma Care: This grant provides start-up funding or seed money for a new investigator doing clinical research in orthopaedic trauma. The principal or co-principal investigator must be an orthopaedic surgeon. Ph.D.s and D.V.M.s are eligible if affiliated with an orthopaedic department. Funding is $180,000 over two years.

Link: http://www.oref.org/site/PageServer?pagename=grants_homepage

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PATIENT SAFETY

National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF)
Deadline: September 6, 2011 (LOI)
Funding: $100,000 for up to two years
Purpose: The National Patient Safety Foundation’s Research Grants Program seeks to stimulate new, innovative projects directed toward enhancing patient safety in the United States. The Program’s objective is to promote studies leading to the prevention of human errors, system errors, patient injuries, and the consequences of such adverse events in the healthcare setting. While projects that promise improved methods of patient safety with a defined and direct path to implementation into patient care settings are encouraged, of equal importance are studies of problems for which deeper understanding is needed before effective solutions can be applied. Patient care setting is considered to be any environment in which health care is provided, including but not limited to inpatient, outpatient, extended care, and home care.
Link: http://www.npsf.org/r/ 

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PULMONARY RESEARCH

Parker B. Francis Fellowship Program
Deadline: October 12, 2011 at 9 p.m.
Funding: $156,000 over three years
Purpose: The Parker B. Francis Fellowship in Pulmonary Research is intended to support the development of outstanding investigators embarking on careers in pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine. The program seeks to help them as they make the transition to independent, self-supporting, faculty members. Parker B. Francis Fellowship grants are awarded to institutions for the purpose of providing stipends, fringe benefits, and modest travel expenses in support of qualified post-doctoral fellows or newly appointed assistant professors. There are no restrictions regarding discipline or department.
Eligibility: Applicants are eligible to apply for a Fellowship if they are:

• Scientists holding a relevant doctoral degree (e.g., M.D., Ph.D., Sc.D, D.V.M,, Dr. P.H.) who are embarking on a career in clinical, laboratory or translational science related to Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at a U.S. or Canadian university or research institution;  
• A citizen or permanent residents of the U.S. or Canada or have a permanent residency application on file with the U.S. or Canadian Immigration Services;
• A Ph.D. or other non-M.D. scientist no more than seven years beyond completion of their doctoral degree or an M.D. scientist no more than seven years beyond clinical training (i.e., residency, internship, clinical fellowship).  Candidates with greater than seven years since the doctoral degree require approval for continued training from the Scientific Director of the Fellowship Program. 
• Applicants must be approved by their department to apply for the Fellowship.  Institutions may have no more than three Parker B. Francis Fellows in a single department at a given time and a department may submit no more than two applications annually. 
• Individuals are ineligible for a Fellowship if they are the principal investigator on an NIH K or R series research grant at the time of application. Fellows in the second or third year of their Fellowship, who receive an NIH K or R series award or similar grant, may request approval to retain the Fellowship and to reallocate a portion of the Fellowship salary support to supplies or other research costs.
• PBF Fellows are required to have at least 75 percent of their time available for research.

Link: http://www.francisfellowships.org/learn.htm

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SCLERODERMA

The Scleroderma Foundation, Established Investigator or New Investigator Awards
Deadline: September 15th by 5 p.m. EST
Funding:  1. Up to $75,000/year (includes up to 8% indirect costs) for up to 2 years
2. Up to $50,000/year (includes up to 8% for indirect costs) for up to 2 years
Purpose:  The Scleroderma Foundation offers two award types:

• Promising Established Investigators both inside and outside the field of SSc research who wish to propose pilot studies to obtain preliminary data dealing with a highly innovative and/or highly relevant theme related to SSc. This grant will support pilot research that is likely to lead to more substantial unlimited research project grants from federal or non-federal sources. 
• New Investigator Grant is designed to facilitate the entry of promising new investigators into areas of research related to SSc. Funds new investigators who hold faculty or equivalent positions and who wish to pursue a career in research related to systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma). This grant will support promising research that is likely to lead to individual research project grants.

Eligibility: Applications may be submitted by domestic non-profit organizations such as universities, colleges, hospitals and laboratories. Foreign organizations/institutions are eligible. Applicants must have earned a doctorate degree in Medicine, Osteopathy, Veterinary Medicine, or sciences; completed a postdoctoral fellowship; and previously been PI on grants from the Scleroderma Foundation or other national, private or government agencies.
Link:  http://www.scleroderma.org/pdf/Research/RESEARCH%20GRANT%20FLYER.pdf

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SPINAL CORD INJURY/DISEASE

Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Research Foundation
Deadline: September 1, 2011
Funding: $75,000-$150,000
Purpose: The PVA Research Foundation supports innovative research and fellowships that improve the lives of those with spinal cord injury and disease (SCI/D). Research is funded in five categories:

• Laboratory research in the basic sciences to find a cure for SCI/D
• Clinical and functional studies of the medical, psychosocial and economic effects of SCI/D, and interventions to alleviate these effects
• Design and development of assistive technology for people with SCI/D, which includes improving the identification, selection and utilization of these devices
• Fellowships for postdoctoral scientists, clinicians and engineers to encourage training and specialization in the field of spinal cord research
• Conferences and symposia that provide opportunities for collaboration and interaction among scientists, health care providers and others involved in the SCI/D research community

The PVA Research Foundation is focused on funding projects that are grounded in basic laboratory science and the education of scientists working on breakthroughs directed toward a cure for paralysis or the secondary medical conditions, and technologies associated with spinal cord injury or disease.
Eligibility: All grant applicants must have a professional degree: Ph.D. or M.D. preferred, master’s degree acceptable under some circumstances. Senior fellows are encouraged to apply as principal investigators. Post-doctoral individuals are eligible to apply for fellowship support within four years of receiving a Ph.D. or completing M.D. residency.
Link: http://www.pva.org/site/c.ajIRK9NJLcJ2E/b.6305827/k.7268/PVA_
Research_Foundation.htm

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TOXICOLOGY

Colgate-Palmolive Grants for Alternative Research, Society of Toxicology (SOT)           
Deadline: October 9, 2011 (Application)       
Funding:  $40,000
Purpose:  These grants will identify and support efforts that promote, develop, refine, or validate scientifically acceptable animal alternative methods to facilitate the safety assessment of new chemicals and formulations. High priority will be given to projects that use:

• in vitro or non-animal models
• reproductive and Developmental Toxicology
• neurotoxicology
• systemic toxicology
• sensitization
• acute toxicity

Eligibility:  Ph.D., M.D., other professional.  Scientists at any stage of career progression may submit a proposal.
Link:  http://www.toxicology.org/ai/af/awards.aspx

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ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Alpha-1 Foundation, In-Cycle Grant Opportunities
Deadline: September 16, 2011 (Letter of Intent)
Funding:  Up to $200,000 across 2 years 
Purpose:  To provide funds to encourage the development of new information that contributes to the understanding of the basic biology of AAT expression, and the pathogenesis/management of AAT Deficiency. In addition, consideration will be given to those projects that provide insight into the development of information that may contribute to new therapies for AAT Deficiency. All proposals must be hypothesis generating or hypothesis testing and provide sufficient preliminary data to justify the Alpha-1 Foundation's support. The Foundation also accepts submissions of projects for Ethical, Legal and Social Issues (ELSI) Related to AAT Deficiency under this grant category. The objective of this grant is to provide funds to encourage the development of new information that contributes to the understanding of bioethical, legal, economic and/or social issues associated with AAT Deficiency. Proposals may come from a broad spectrum of disciplines, including humanities, social and natural sciences, and health professions. In particular, this grant mechanism seeks to support the development of novel approaches relating to informed consent, conflicts of interest, organ allocation, genetic testing and/or genetic discrimination; however, applications may address all of the following or other related areas:

• Surveying attitudes about genetic testing and screening; changing physician behavior and standards of care regarding testing; confidential testing; genetic counseling; public awareness and education about Alpha-1.
• Improving the quality of life of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficient patients and their families; chronic illness, terminal illness, advance CARE planning, and end of life issues; employment issues; family planning issues; investigations of the social or economic impacts of a diagnosis of AAT Deficiency including stigma post-diagnosis.
• The provision of an informed consent associated with AAT Deficiency testing, medical treatments, participation in research, or transplantation; other issues relating to participation in clinical trials or research studies.
• Issues relating to genetic discrimination including access to insurance coverage, social services, medical care, employment, and/or military service; the protection of confidentiality of patients and their families; legislation relating to genetic disease and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficient individuals.
• Equitable distribution of available medical therapies; availability and allocation of organs for transplantation associated with AAT Deficiency.
• Intellectual property rights; ownership of tissue, organs and DNA associated with research studies and clinical trials; patents relating to genetic research.

All ELSI proposals must be hypothesis-generating or hypothesis-testing, or generate new information on conceptual topics relevant to the Foundation's research mission. Projects submitted for Research Grant funding must provide sufficient preliminary data to justify the Foundation's support.
Eligibility: Ph.D.., M.D., other professional
Link: http://www.alpha-1foundation.org/researchers/

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Amyloidosis Foundation, Junior Research Grant Program
Deadline: August 31, 2011 (Application) 
Funding: $50,000 (1 year)
Purpose: To advance its mission to eradicate Amyloidosis as a life threatening disease. The grant program supports two areas: basic scientific research and translational research. 
Eligibility:  Ph.D./M.D./Other Professional. Applicants will have completed their doctoral studies or clinical fellowship within 10 years prior to application. Although a mentor is not a requirement, the involvement of one will be considered in the feasibility review of the proposal. 
Link:  http://www.amyloidosis.org/research.asp

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A-T Children's Project Foundation
Deadline:  September 01, 2011. Application hard copies must be postmarked by the deadline.
Funding:  Upper Amount $150,000/2 years is rare. One and two-year projects are funded up to max total direct cost of $75,000 per year. Grants of $25,000 to $50,000/year are much more common. Budgets for up to $150,000 for a two-year project are acceptable. The sponsor does not pay for administrative overhead and indirect costs.
Purpose: To assist respected scientists in developing a clearer understanding of ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T). The sponsor is determined to find a timely cure, or life-improving treatments, for this serious disease, and provides competitive grant awards for basic and translational research grants related to A-T. Currently focusing funding efforts on grant proposals that are relevant to a therapeutic intervention for A-T or that facilitate translational or clinical research for this disease. As such, these types of applications will be given priority funding. 
Eligibility Ph.D./M.D./Other Professional. Proposals from junior investigators, from scientists in related disciplines, and from individuals with innovative new ideas for A-T research are particularly encouraged, as are laboratories and teams working together from industry, as well as teaching universities.
Link:  http://www.communityatcp.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=625&srcid=633

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Eli and Edythe L. Broad Foundation
Broad Medical Research Program (BMRP) - IBD/Diabetes Mellitus/Crohn’s Disease Research
Deadline: Continuous
Funding: $100,000 (approximately)
Purpose: The BMRP provides funds for research that will lead to improvements in the diagnosis, therapy, and prevention of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. In addition, the BMRP wants to attract scientists who are not currently working in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) to apply their knowledge, expertise, and techniques to IBD research. The BMRP is interested in early stage exploratory innovative research proposals to investigate the similarities and differences between IBD and diabetes mellitus (DM). Proposals should be exploratory in nature designed as pilot projects researching possible commonality in the etiopathogenesis between IBD and DM. Human or animal model studies are welcomed. Preference is given to proposals for work conducted with patients and with strong potential of clinical applicability in the foreseeable future. Research using non-human material should lead to translational benefits to patients with IBD.
Eligibility: The Principal Investigator can be a postdoctoral fellow or someone with a faculty or equivalent appointment at the institution. Only one PI for each proposal. Basic and clinical investigators, scientists not currently working in inflammatory bowel disease, and interdisciplinary teams are encouraged to apply.
Link:  http://www.broadmedical.org/funding.htm

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