Target ALS is committed to accelerating ALS drug and biomarker development. Given their simultaneous work with patients and scientific inquiry, clinicians and clinician scientists are uniquely positioned to help achieve this goal. We aim to support the ideas and research of the next generation of clinician scientists. To that end, we are soliciting grant proposals from neurology residents around the world.
Key Dates
What We’re Funding
Target ALS is particularly interested in supporting projects that address:
- Identification, validation and development of new ALS biomarkers and diagnostic criteria
- Understanding clinical contributions from FTD
- Clinical outcome measures
- Therapeutic targets
- Tools and technologies to facilitate human proof-of-biology studies
Confidentiality of investigator’s data, research, and intellectual property will be strictly honored. Target ALS does not seek ownership of any intellectual property or financial gains that result on the basis of its funding.
Who Should Apply
This funding opportunity is focused on identifying and supporting ideas of the next generation of ALS clinician scientists. We encourage innovative proposals from neurology residents who will have completed one of the following by the project start date:
- At least one year of their residency program OR
- At least 3 years postgraduate from medical school and have met the eligibility criteria for Specialist Registrar Training in Neurology (for candidates in UK and Ireland)
Candidates should be prepared to dedicate at least 50% of their time each year to the proposed project.
An investigator can apply for only one project through this funding opportunity. If an investigator is already working on a project funded by a Target ALS grant or has received a grant from another source for the project being proposed, a clear distinction must be drawn to allocate funding and level of effort.
If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact us.
What Our Grants Support
Funding to 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
- $150,000 per year for up to three years, for a total possible grant of $450,000.
- The initial grant will be for a two-year period with a possible third year, based on demonstration of compelling progress.
- Funds from this grant will be portable and move with the candidate if they were to choose to change their employer.
- Candidates must be in their residency program for at least one year of the duration of the grant.
- Funding for years 2 and 3 may or may not be spent during residency.
- Candidates can defer the start of their grant by up to one year from the approval date.
- Year 2 and 3 funding can be deferred for up to one year while the candidate is in a neuromuscular fellowship application cycle.
Potential Grant Structures
*These examples are illustrative and not exhaustive of all options. If you have questions, please contact us.