Ataxia Research Grants

The National Ataxia Foundation (NAF) has a commitment to fund the best science with relevance to ataxia, both in basic and translational research, however the emphasis of the Foundation’s research program is on Young Investigator and Post-Doc grants; the next generation of science.

The Foundation continues to support hereditary ataxia research, but has also placed an emphasis on research into sporadic ataxia and is encouraging submission of research projects that will investigate non-genetic forms of ataxia.

Due to the larger availability of funding for Ataxia-Telangiectasia (A-T), those research proposals will receive a lower priority. However, a higher ranking will be given to A-T research studies which lend themselves to an overall better understanding of the ataxia disease process.

Below are descriptions of NAF’s research programs:

Research Grant: One year grant of up to $15,000 but promising proposals up to $30,000 will be considered.

Seed monies in early or pilot phases of studies and ongoing investigations that demonstrate need to attract future funding from other sources.

Letter of Intent with a ½ to one-page abstract with specific aims of your research due: 7/15/12

Full application due: 8/15/12 (The application form will be posted in April 2012.)

Young Investigator (YI) Award: One year grant between $35,000- $50,000.

These awards are given to encourage young investigators to pursue a career in the field of ataxia research. Candidates must have attained an MD or PhD degree, and have an appointment as a junior faculty member, senior post-doc or clinical fellow. Individuals at the Associate Professor level are not eligible. Clinicians must have finished their residency no more than five (5) years prior to applying and PhDs must be must be no more than five (5) years from end of the completion of their post doc training.

Letter of Intent with a ½ to one-page abstract with specific aims of your research due: 8/1/12

Full application due: 9/1/12 (The application form will be posted in April 2012.)

Research Post-Doc Fellowship Award: One year grant up to $35,000.

A Fellowship Award is intended for an individual to spend a 3rd year in a post-doc position to increase the chance to establish an independent ataxia research program.

Letter of Intent with a ½ to one-page abstract with specific aims of your research due: 8/15/12

Full application due: 9/15/12 (The application form will be posted in April 2012.)

Pioneer SCA Translational Research Award: One year grant of $100,000 focusing on research investigations that will facilitate the development of treatments for the Spinocerebellar Ataxias.

Letter of Intent with a ½ to one-page abstract with specific aims of your research. Due date will be announced April 2012

A Letter of Intent is REQUIRED prior to submitting a Pioneer Grant application. Pioneer Grant Applications submitted that were not preceded by a Letter of Intent, will NOT be reviewed.

Full application due: Will be announced in April 2012.

Young Investigator (YI-SCA) Award for SCA Research: One year grant of $50,000.

These awards are given to encourage young investigators to pursue a career in spinocerebellar ataxia research. Candidates must have attained an MD or PhD degree, and have an appointment as a junior faculty member, senior post-doc or clinical fellow. Individuals at the Associate Professor level are not eligible. Clinicians must have finished their residency no more than five (5) years prior to applying and PhDs must be must be no more than five (5) years from end of the completion of their post doc training.

Letter of Intent with a ½ to one-page abstract with specific aims of your research due: Due date will be announced April 2012

Full application due: Will be announced in April 2012.

If you have specific questions about NAF’s research program, please contact Sue Hagen. Include the last name of the researcher in the email subject line.