Funding Opportunities

Contact: Bernadette R. McNulty, PhD, Director, FCR – College of Medicine
215-255-7388; bmcnulty@drexel.edu.
For additional information on seeking private funding opportunities, please visit the Foundation and Corporate Relations/Medicine website at http://www.drexel.edu/IA/FCR/FCR_CM.html.

Gifts-in-Kind:  If you have received or plan to receive a gift-in-kind of equipment, services, medical supplies or meeting and conference support, contact FCR to ensure proper processing and stewardship.

NOTE: If you decide to apply to any of the below opportunities, please contact the Office of Foundation and Corporate Relations.

EXTERNAL CORPORATE AND FOUNDATION SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES ~ JULY 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS

AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES
National MS Society Postdoctoral Fellowships
The Scleroderma Foundation, Established Investigator or New Investigator Awards
CANCER/TUMOR RESEARCH
American Cancer Society (ACS),
Extramural Grants Program
Palliative Care of Cancer Patients and Their Families
Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation - Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards
International Myeloma Foundation (IMF)
Brian D. Novis Junior Research Grants
Brian D. Novis Senior Research Grants
Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, Research Grants
Pediatric Low Grade Astrocytoma Foundation (PLGA)
The Prostate Cancer Foundation
Uniting Against Lung Cancer
CARDIAC/CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation, Research Awards
Fondation Leducq,
Transatlantic Career Development Award in Cardiovascular and Neurovascular Research
Transatlantic Networks of Excellence in Cardiovascular and Neurovascular Research
DIABETES/JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH
Novo Nordisk,
Innovation Award Program: Early Exploration Award
Innovation Award Program: Proof of Principle Award
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF),
Postdoctoral Fellowships
Innovation Grants
Career Development Awards
DRUG TRIALS/DRUG DEVELOPMENT
Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, Program to Accelerate Clinical Trials
Stanley Medical Research Institute, Treatment Trials & Drug Development Awards
EPILEPSY
The Epilepsy Foundation
GLAUCOMA RESEARCH
The Glaucoma Foundation
HIV/AIDS RESEARCH
Creative and Novel Ideas in HIV Research
amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research, Research or Fellowship Grants
INFECTIOUS DISEASE FELLOWSHIP
Burroughs Wellcome Fund/American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Tropical Infectious Diseases (BWF/ASTMH Fellowship)
MEDICAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT/YOUNG SCIENTISTS
Searle Scholars Program
Elsevier Foundation, New Scholars Program
MEDICAL EDUCATION/POST DOCS
Life Sciences Research Foundation - Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE/NEUROBIOLOGY RESEARCH
Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation, Inc. (BEBRF)
Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation/The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration
Whitehall Foundation, Research Grants
OBESITY RELATED RESEARCH
Aetna Foundation, Obesity Data Project
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Preventing Childhood Obesity Program
ORTHOPAEDICS/SPORTS MEDICINE
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM),
Research Grant Program
Sandy Kirkley Grants
Young Investigator Grants
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Broad Medical Research Program (BMRP) - IBD/Diabetes Mellitus/Crohn’s Disease Research
Amyloidosis Foundation, Junior Research Grant Program
A-T Children's Project Foundation

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AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES

National MS Society Postdoctoral Fellowships
Funding:  $39,996 TO $56,140/year, up to 3 yrs
Deadline:  Aug 13, 2011
Purpose:  For support of training of postdoctoral fellows in studies related to multiple sclerosis that may serve to advance the mission of the society: fundamental as well as applied studies, nonclinical or clinical in nature, including projects in patient management, care, and rehabilitation. To be considered for funding, all projects must show relevance to the society's mission. The society offers postdoctoral fellowship grants to unusually promising recipients of M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent degrees when it appears that the program of training to be supported by the grant will enhance the likelihood that the trainee will perform meaningful and independent research relevant to multiple sclerosis in the future, and obtain a suitable position that will enable them to do so.  Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards are not made to applicants seeking continuing support for the completion of an on-going research project or to those in a training program leading to a degree. The proposed postdoctoral program should emphasize opportunities for new research training and broadening scientific competence of the applicant. 
Eligibility: Applicants with less than 36 months of previous postdoctoral training may apply for this award. Applicants must hold, or be candidates for, an M.D., Ph.D. or equivalent degree. However, a fellowship will not be activated for a doctoral candidate until the society has received written notification from a university or professional school that an appropriate doctoral degree has been awarded.  Will consider applications from individuals with more than 36 months experience on a case-by-case basis. Individuals seeking such consideration should contact the society.  U.S. citizenship is not required for applicants who desire training in institutions in the United States.
Link:  http://www.nationalmssociety.org/for-professionals/researchers/
get-funding/postdoctoral-fellowships/index.aspx

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The Scleroderma Foundation, Established Investigator or New Investigator Awards
Deadline: Sept. 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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CANCER/TUMOR RESEARCH

American Cancer Society (ACS), Extramural Grants Program
Deadline: August 1, 2011 (LOI)
Funding: $80,000 per year over five years
Purpose: ACS offers a limited number of grants to provide unique research opportunities to foster maximal productivity in clinical and applied cancer research. These grants provide flexible funding for established investigators in mid-career who have made seminal contributions that have changed the direction of clinical, psychosocial, behavioral, health policy, or epidemiologic cancer research. It is expected that these investigators will continue to provide leadership in their research area. The award also may be used to support similarly qualified individuals who are dedicated to bringing advances in basic sciences into the clinical arena and to articulating clinical problems for basic research scientists.
Eligibility: Applicants will have attained the rank of full professor or equivalent and must not have held the rank of full professor or the equivalent for more than 15 years.
Link:  http://www.cancer.org/Research/ResearchProgramsFunding/FundingOpportunities/
IndexofGrants/Professors/clinical-research-professor

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American Cancer Society (ACS), Palliative Care of Cancer Patients and Their Families
Deadline:  10/15/11 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: 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; Studying methods of improving communication between adults living with serious illness, their families and their health care providers; and/or 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/Funding
Opportunities/IndexofGrants/

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Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, (President’s priority list)
Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards
Deadline:  August 15
Funding: Level 1 up to $156,000 over 3 years; Level 2 up to $186,000 over 3 years.
Purpose: To support exceptional early career researchers pursuing innovative cancer research having the potential to significantly impact understanding of and/or approaches to the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of cancer.  The Foundation's mission is to identify and support researchers who are committed to discovery leading to new understanding of the cell and how it becomes cancerous, as well as innovative approaches to the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of all forms of the disease.
Eligibility: Applicants must hold M.D., M.D. / Ph.D., Ph.D., or equivalent degree; identify a faculty mentor with whom a research plan will be developed, executed and supervise; and have not already accepted a postdoctoral research fellowship award.
Level 1: Basic and physician-scientists must have received degrees on or after Oct 15, 2010; began in sponsor’s labs after Oct 15, 2010; and devote 100% of time to Damon Runyon-supported research activities.
Level 2: Physician-scientist applicants must have completed residencies and clinical training on or after Oct 15, 2008; must be board eligible at start date of Fellowship, and able to devote at least 80% of time to Damon Runyon-supported research activities.
Link: http://www.damonrunyon.org/for_scientists/more/fellowship_award_application_
guidelines

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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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The Prostate Cancer Foundation
Deadline: August 1, 2011
Funding: $75,000 a year over three years
Purpose: The Prostate Cancer Foundation champions human capital investment to fast-forward solutions to prostate cancer. The Foundation announces a new round of funding for Young Investigators, focusing on developing another gifted cohort of human capital in prostate cancer research. Highly innovative basic science programs will be carefully considered, but priority will be given to “bench to bedside” translational research proposals with the potential to deliver near term benefit to patients. Applicants need not be trained specifically in clinical prostate cancer research. Young Investigators may be working in basic, translational, clinical, population sciences, bioengineering or any other field that could contribute to the end of prostate cancer.
Eligibility: Applicant should be within six-years following completion of a professional degree or clinical training such as M.D., Ph.D., M.D.-Ph.D., M.P.H., or equivalent; may hold title of Senior Postdoctoral Fellow, Instructor, Research Associate, Assistant Professor, or equivalent; and should have received no more than $200,000 in current direct research funding from all sources, including institutional funds. Investigators who have specifically received young investigator research support from the NCI, NIH, or DoD are still qualified.
Link: http://www.pcf.org/site/c.leJRIROrEpH/b.5849007/k.F70A/Open_RFAs.htm?
auid=8567524

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Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, Research Grants
Funding: Up to $50,000 per year for two years. No indirect costs. Funded researchers will also be entitled to facilitated access to the National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank (NMVB), www.mesotissue.org.
Deadline:  Aug 05, 2011
Purpose:  To stimulate translational research for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma, seeking funding of innovative projects that address issues for the treatment of the disease. Eligible projects may relate to benchwork, translational or clinical research and may be conducted through any not-for-profit academic, medical or research institution, in the U.S. or abroad.  Encouraged projects include, but are not limited to, benchwork/translational/clinical investigations of:
1. Strategies for early detection of new or progressive disease;
2. Definition of targetable differences between normal and transformed mesothelium and development of novel strategies for treatment taking advantage of these targets;
3. Therapeutic intervention, including but not limited to:

• Gene therapy, immunotherapy, or other relevant targeted therapies
• Novel chemotherapeutic compounds
• Novel radiation or surgical techniques

4. Determination of clinical/molecular determinants for prognosis.
Link: http://www.curemeso.org/site/c.kkLUJ7MPKtH/b.4097447/k.E6A3/
Mesothelioma_Research_Grants__Call_for_Applications.htm

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International Myeloma Foundation (IMF), Brian D. Novis Junior Research Grants
Funding: $50,000 (1 year). Overhead may not exceed $5,000 (10 percent of the grant award). 
Deadline:  Aug 01, 2011
Purpose:  In 1994, the IMF established this grant program to support investigators conducting cutting-edge studies to provide better treatment, management, prevention, and ultimately, a cure for myeloma. The IMF offers these grants to doctors and researchers working in the field of myeloma. 
Eligibility: Requirements Ph.D./M.D./Other Professional.  Must have completed postdoctoral studies or clinical fellowships not later than August 1 of the application year; ability to devote a min. of 50%  time to research during award year and provide completed application with evidence of meritorious research project. 
Link:  http://myeloma.org/IndexPage.action?tabId=4&menuId=8&indexPageId=19&
parentMenuItemId=8&categoryId=0

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International Myeloma Foundation (IMF), Brian D. Novis Senior Research Grants  
Funding: $80,000 (1 year). Overhead may not exceed $8,000 (10 percent of total award). 
Deadline:  Aug 01, 2011 (Application) 
Purpose:  To support investigators conducting cutting-edge studies to provide better treatment, management, prevention, and ultimately, a cure for myeloma. For doctors/researchers working in the field of myeloma, targeted to established investigators with a track record in myeloma or related research, and designed for projects which represent a different focus, direction or area of research from those in which they are currently funded. In most cases, these awards will be for pilot projects to obtain sufficient funding for larger applications from NIH or similar larger funding agencies. 
Eligibility:  Requirements Ph.D./M.D./Other Professional
Link: http://myeloma.org/IndexPage.action?tabId=4&menuId=8&indexPageId=19&
parentMenuItemId=8&categoryId=0

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Uniting Against Lung Cancer
Deadline:  August 17, 2011 (full proposal)
Funding:   Up to $100,000 (across 2 years)
Purpose:   To jumpstart new projects leading to improved treatments and a cure for lung cancer, including non-small cell and small cell lung cancer.  Do not require large amounts of preliminary data, but must have a clear hypothesis and research plan to be completed within 2 year grant term. Intended primarily as seed money for promising and potentially transformative new projects, rather than funding well-developed clinical projects that already receive considerable support. However, high risk/high reward add-on studies leveraging larger ongoing projects, or pre-existing data-sets, clinical samples, etc., are of interest.
Eligibility:  PhD., MD, other professional.  Have prioritized providing start-up funds for early-career investigators to build the foundation for a lung cancer research program. Investigators at all levels will be funded.
Link:  https://www.grantinterface.com/UALC/Common/LogOn.aspx

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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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Fondation Leducq,
Transatlantic Career Development Award in Cardiovascular and Neurovascular Research
Deadline:  September 12, 2011 by 5:59 p.m. EST
Funding:  Up to $150,000 over two years (including $10,000 indirect costs).
Purpose:  To support investigators of all career stages involved in collaborative cardiovascular and neurovascular research between North America and Europe.
Eligibility:  Applicants may be junior or senior investigators who have a demonstrable interest in cardiovascular or neurovascular research and have studied or worked in either North America or Europe for at least five years by 2012. Priority will be given to those investigators for whom funding from traditional sources is considered limited.
Additional Information:  With the 2011-12 application cycle, the award can be used to support research in any host laboratory in an academic institution on the opposite side of the Atlantic—not just the foundation’s Transatlantic Networks. A candidate may propose up to two different host laboratories, outside his/her home institution, for the term of the award. At least half of the research time must be spent on the opposite side of the Atlantic.
The Fondation Leducq expects to grant at least four awards during the 2011-2012 cycle.
Link:  http://fondationleducq.org/nivel2.aspx?idsec=19

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Fondation Leducq,
Transatlantic Networks of Excellence in Cardiovascular and Neurovascular Research
Deadline:  September 14, 2011 by 5:59 p.m. EST (Letter of Intent); February 2012 (Application)
Funding:  Up to $6 million over five years.
Purpose:  To support cardiovascular and neurovascular disease research through the establishment of transatlantic research networks in Europe and North America, and to develop the careers of young investigators.
Eligibility:  Applicants must be affiliated with an academic research center in North America or Europe, and must have expertise in cardiovascular or neurovascular disease or an appropriate related field.
Additional Information:  The theme of a network may cover a variety of relevant topics or subjects; however it must be oriented towards long-term goals rather than producing pre-defined results. Each network is organized around a transatlantic research alliance involving two network coordinators, one based in North America and the other in Europe. Network coordinators may not participate concurrently in any other Leducq network, whereas network members can participate in up to two Leducq networks. A network can include up to six different institutions. Grant proposals should demonstrate a clear commitment to young investigators.  Applicants will be notified in November whether they will be invited to submit an application, which will be due in February 2012.
Link:  http://fondationleducq.org/nivel2.aspx?idsec=16

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DIABETES/JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH

Novo Nordisk - Innovation Award Program: Early Exploration Award
Deadline:  August 1 by 8:00 p.m.
Funding:  Up to $250,000 over two years, plus indirect costs.
Purpose:  To support basic research for early-stage hypotheses that do not yet have preliminary data but show considerable promise for advancing the treatment of diabetes or obesity.  The aim of the Novo Nordisk Diabetes Innovation Award Program is to help scientists substantiate early research efforts and clarify if their hypotheses could result in new treatment options.  Types of research eligible for support include:

• New biological targets amenable to protein-based therapeutics;
• Research exploring novel protein effects and functions; and
• Protein-based science technologies including oral and injection delivery concepts.

Eligibility:  Must be full-time faculty and hold Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent. Must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. or Canada. May not receive funding from any other source for the proposed research or related research.
Link:  http://www.novonordisk-us.com/documents/article_page/document/
diabetes_innovation_awards_how_to_apply.asp

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Novo Nordisk - Innovation Award Program: Proof of Principle Award
Deadline:  August 1 by 8:00 p.m.
Funding:  Up to $500,000 over two years, plus indirect costs.
Purpose:  To support nonclinical research for the validation of early-stage innovations in the treatment of diabetes or obesity with sufficient supporting data to conclude on nonclinical proof of principle (PoP) studies.  The aim of the Novo Nordisk Diabetes Innovation Award Program is to help scientists substantiate early research efforts and clarify whether hypotheses could result in new treatment options for diabetes and obesity.
The types of research eligible for support include:

• New biological targets amenable to protein-based therapeutics;
• Research exploring novel protein effects and functions; and
• Protein-based science technologies including oral and injection delivery concepts.

Eligibility:  Must be full-time faculty and hold a Ph.D., M.D., Pharm.D. degree or equivalent. Must be citizens or permanent residents. May not receive funding from any other source for the proposed research or related research.
Link:  http://www.novonordisk-us.com/documents/article_page/document/
diabetes_innovation_awards_how_to_apply.asp

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Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF), Postdoctoral Fellowships
Deadline:  Sep 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:  Sep 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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Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF), Career Development Awards
Funding:  Upper Amount $750,000 (Up to $150,000/year for 5 years, including indirect costs). Funds may be used for a research allowance. Awards renewable pending satisfactory progress up to a maximum of four years. Indirect costs (excluding equipment) may not exceed 10% of subtotal direct costs. 
Deadline: September 15, 2011 (Application) 
Purpose:  JDRF fosters the development and productivity of the best brightest established independent researchers who will bridge the gap between the bench and bedside. They attract qualified and promising scientists early in their faculty careers and give them the opportunity to establish themselves in areas that reflect JDRF research emphases. Awardees will focus their research efforts on a subject directly related to JDRF mission, goals and research priorities, and position themselves to work at the leading edge of type 1 diabetes research. Awards designed to assist exceptionally promising investigators. Although JDRF is especially interested in fostering careers in clinical investigation, the awards may emphasize either basic or clinical topics.
Eligibility: The award is intended for individuals in a relatively early stage of their career. Ordinarily, their first degree (M.D., Ph.D., D.M.D., D.V.M., or equivalent) will have been received at least three but not more than seven years before the award. Applicant must hold an academic faculty-level position (including assistant professor or equivalent) at time of application, at a university/health science center/comparable institution with strong, well-established research and training programs. No citizenship requirements; JDRF encourages applications from persons with disabilities, women and members of minority groups underrepresented in the sciences. 
Link:  http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=114014

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DRUG TRIALS/DRUG DEVELOPMENT

Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, Program to Accelerate Clinical Trials
Deadline:  September 21, 2011 (Letter of Intent);  October 5, 2011 (Application).
Funding:  Up to $1 million.
Purpose:  To increase the number of innovative drugs tested in humans for Alzheimer’s disease, specifically biomarker-based pilot clinical trials.
Eligibility:  Applications must be submitted by non-profit academic institutions and for-profit biotechnology companies, both public and private, worldwide.
Additional Information:  According to the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, there is substantial potential for more than 150 proposed treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. Many of these potentially successful drugs have yet to be brought to human trials because of the increased cost and risk of research. Grants made through the Program to Accelerate Clinical Trials (PACT) seek to encourage increased testing of these unexplored treatments in humans.
Link:  https://www.alzdiscovery.org/index.php/research-programs/grant-opportunities

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Stanley Medical Research Institute, Treatment Trials & Drug Development Awards
Deadline:  Oct 01, 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

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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HIV/AIDS RESEARCH

Creative and Novel Ideas in HIV Research
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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amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research, Research or Fellowship Grants
Deadline: August 1, 2011 at 5 p.m. (LOI)
Funding: $100,000 for Research Grants; up to $125,000 for Fellowship Grants
Purpose: The Foundation will provide targeted support for biomedical research projects relevant to exploring the mechanisms for HIV persistence and the potential for HIV eradication. amfAR wishes to support basic, clinical, and especially translational research exploring the mechanisms whereby HIV infection persists; the chronic nature of viral reservoirs and latency; and barriers to the eradication of HIV, with the potential goal of ultimately eliminating HIV infection. Research grants are given to nonprofit institutions worldwide to support investigator-led projects approved by the Foundation, while Fellowship grants are applied to direct costs incurred in the course of an amfAR-approved research project.
Eligibility: Principal investigators for Research Grants must be faculty-level researchers affiliated with a nonprofit institution. amfAR fellowships are awarded to postdoctoral (M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent) investigators with limited experience in the field to advance a career in HIV/AIDS research. The applicant’s interest in a career in HIV/AIDS will be demonstrated by previous relevant work at the postdoctoral fellow or instructor level and will be carefully evaluated. The fellowship applicant must be mentored by an experienced investigator who: (a) is qualified to oversee the proposed research; (b) has successfully supervised postdoctoral fellows; and (c) is at the associate professor level or higher. amfAR fellows and mentors must be affiliated with the same nonprofit institution.
Link: http://www.amfar.org/lab/grants/default.aspx?id=9944

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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:  Sep 07, 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

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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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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MEDICAL EDUCATION/POST DOC

Life Sciences Research Foundation - Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
Deadline:  October 1 
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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NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE/NEUROBIOLOGY RESEARCH

Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation, Inc. (BEBRF)
Funding: Up to $150,000
Deadline: Aug 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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Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation/The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration
Deadline: August 25, 2011 (LOI)
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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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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OBESITY RELATED RESEARCH

Aetna Foundation, Obesity Data Project
Deadline: August 15, 2011
Funding: $10,000-$25,000
Purpose: The Aetna Foundation invites health services researchers, software developers, designers, clinicians and others to participate in an exciting project designed to make important data about obesity and related data sets available and accessible to health services researchers, public health officials, policy makers and similar stakeholders. The Challenge involves the creation of an interactive browser-based application with, at the developer’s discretion, additional platform capabilities that will take data and facilitate the following:

• Basic data visualization
• Predictive modeling and scenario analysis
• Comparisons across various parameters
• Output of key data/analyses into presentation formats such as, but not limited to, PowerPoint
• Social networking, bookmarking and sharing

The target user for this application is anyone who needs ready access to data and analytics to inform a decision.
Eligibility: The Challenge is open only to teams based in the United States. A Team must include no less than two people. All submissions must be in English.
Link: http://www.health2challenge.org/2011/06/08/aetna-foundation-challenge/

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The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Preventing Childhood Obesity Program
Deadline: August 2, 2011 at 3 p.m. (concept paper)
Funding: up to $150,000
Purpose: Healthy Eating Research: Building Evidence to Prevent Childhood Obesity is a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). The program supports research on environmental and policy strategies with strong potential to promote healthy eating among children to prevent childhood obesity, especially among lower-income and racial and ethnic populations at highest risk for obesity. Findings are expected to advance RWJF’s efforts to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic by 2015. RWJF is currently inviting proposals for Rapid Response Grants, which will support time-sensitive and opportunistic studies on emerging or anticipated changes in food-related policies or environments that can be conducted only during a short window of opportunity and are needed to inform policy debates for local, state or national action. Studies that are not urgent and time-sensitive are not eligible for funding as rapid-response grants.
Eligibility: Applicant organizations must be based in the United States or its territories. The focus of this program is the United States; studies in other countries will be considered only to the extent that they may directly inform U.S. policy.
Link: http://www.rwjf.org/applications/solicited/cfp.jsp?ID=21341

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ORTHOPAEDICS/SPORTS MEDICINE

American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), Research Grant Program
Deadline: August 1, 2011
Funding: $50,000-$150,000
Purpose: AOSSM, in partnership with Genzyme Biosurgery, announces a new research grant program to fund investigations related to Early Osteoarthritis and/or Prevention of OA Progression. This grant program reflects growing recognition of the importance of osteoarthritis within sports medicine and orthopaedics. Two separate grants will be offered. One will provide $50,000 per year renewable, subject to annual progress review, for three years ($150,000 total) to support a clinical research study. The second will be a one-time award of $50,000 to support a lab/basic science project to separate investigators over successive three years. Proposed studies need not relate specifically to sports injuries but should have broad applicability to OA in the general population.
Link: http://www.sportsmed.org/tabs/research/aossmgrants.aspx

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American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), Sandy Kirkley Grant & Young Investigator Grants
Deadline: August 15, 2011 (pre-review)
Funding: $20,000 (Sandy Kirkley Grant); up to $40,000 (Young Investigator Grant)
Purpose:  1.  AOSSM offers the Sandy Kirkley Clinical Outcome Research Grant, which will provide start-up or supplemental funding for an outcome research project or pilot study. One grant will be awarded each year and eligible applicants are not restricted to newer investigators as is the case for the Young Investigator Grants.
2. AOSSM Young Investigator Grants provide "seed money," or start-up funds, for pilot projects. The principal investigator must be an early career orthopaedic surgeon, fellow, or resident with interests in sports medicine research. Investigational team seeking such a grant must include at least one member of AOSSM in good standing.
Note: In an effort to improve the quality and competitiveness of submissions, the AOSSM Research Committee will pre-review and critique applications prior to the final application deadline. This pre-review is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED but not required. It is anticipated that by participating in the pre-review process, the applicant's chances for funding will improve. The pre-review will focus on: 1) significance of proposed research, 2) scientific quality, 3) statistical methods, 4) realistic nature of goals, 5) long term value of results, and 6) pilot data.
Link: http://www.sportsmed.org/tabs/research/aossmgrants.aspx

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ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Amyloidosis Foundation, Junior Research Grant Program
Deadline:  Aug 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:  Sep 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)
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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