The Springboard Fellowship is focused on supporting senior lab fellows to transition to an independent academic tenure track or equivalent position. This fellowship is designed to support and advance scientists pursuing careers in ALS/FTD research.
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Key Dates
What We’re Funding
Target ALS is especially interested in proposals that tackle fundamental questions of ALS/FTD disease biology for sporadic and genetic forms of the disease. We are looking to support projects that propose mechanistic studies on critical points in the pathological and biochemical cascade of events leading to motor neuron degeneration.
Areas of scientific interest include but are not exclusive to:
- mechanisms regulating TDP43 pathology
- pathways regulating central nervous system synapses and cellular network vulnerability
- role of immune system
- role of DNA damage
- aging
Who Should Apply
- Candidates that are currently based in their postdoc lab and planning to move to an independent tenure track, or equivalent position in a different institution, within the next two years.
- The candidate must propose a project plan that the candidate can continue in their independent lab.
- We accept applications from scientists based in the United States and internationally.
What Our Grants Support
Springboard Fellowship funding will cover the following project components:
- Researcher salaries and fringe benefits
- Lab supplies, materials, and equipment
- Research associated costs up to 15% of the award (e.g. lab’s rent)
- Costs of accessing Target ALS core facilities throughout the period of the award.
- A speaker slot at the Target ALS annual meeting, held in Boston, MA. This meeting provides an immersive experience in cutting edge ALS research and offers an opportunity to network with leaders from academia, pharma/biotech, venture capital and other non-profits.
Grant Structure
- The Springboard Fellowship may award up to $220,000 over three years.
- The initial grant will be for a two-year period, with a funding maximum of $60,000 per year.
- Springboard Fellows that have accepted an offer for an independent tenure track or equivalent position in a different institution will be eligible for a $100,000 third year grant.
- Fellows that accept a tenure track position before the project’s third year will have the option to take any unspent grant funding to their new lab.
- The applicant’s current Principal Investigator must include a letter of support for the candidate from their current Principal Investigator and must:
- Confirm that the applicant will be allowed to dedicate at least 50% of their time to the project.
- State that the awardee’s project can transfer with them to their new lab.
- Be submitted directly by the Principal Investigator to Target ALS. More details here.
- The institution must allow the awardee to take any unspent funds with them to their new lab.
Application Resources
- PDF of full application, with all questions and requirements
- Successful proposal and CV of prior-year applicant
- Instructions for submission of Letter or Recommendation
Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.
Ready to start the application process?
