The INADcure Foundation is currently accepting letters of intent for the Research Grants Program
The INADcure Foundation is accepting Letters of Intent for our Research Grants Program.
The INADcure Foundation accepts Letters of Intent on a rolling basis for scientific proposals to study diseases caused by PLA2G6 mutations, including INAD and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Other proposals related to the study of other neurodegenerative diseases that involve endolysosomal or lipid metabolic dysfunctions related to the PLA2G6 pathway are also welcome. Researchers, clinicians, and postdoctoral fellows from both the United States and countries outside of the U.S. are encouraged to apply. Collaborations between academic and private or public institutions are encouraged.
Research proposals are for a maximum of $150,000 per year for two years. We also allow an additional 10% of institutional allowances (indirect cost recovery). Postdoctoral fellowships are also encouraged. They are for a maximum of $90,000 per year for two years. They are designed to cover salary, benefits and research expenses, including supplies.
Selected projects will be asked to submit full research proposals following our proposal guidelines below. Applicants will be notified by email.
Research Goals
PLA2G6-related neurodegeneration (PLAN) is an umbrella term of three diseases caused by PLA2G6 loss. Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy (INAD) is typically recognized in early childhood between the ages of 6 months and 2 years. A common pattern in young children is loss of previously acquired skills, mental and physical ability and progression of the disease over time. Atypical or Juvenile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy (aNAD) affects children at around 4 years of age. The symptoms of individuals with aNAD are fairly stable during their early childhood but start declining between the ages of 7 and 12. A third, form affects young adults who develop dystonia-parkinsonism. There is currently no cure for these diseases.
The INADcure Foundation is seeking to support research to provide a better understanding of the molecular underpinnings of the disease, the identification of new targets for drugs as well as strategies for the treatment and a cure of INAD and other forms of PLA2G6-related neurodegeneration. Proposals are expected to advance our basic knowledge of INAD/PLAN, investigate the molecular links between INAD/PLAN and Parkinson’s disease, delineate the role of the endolysosomal pathway and lipid metabolism in these neurodegenerative disorders, develop genetic or other therapeutic strategies, and generate critical resources for the research community.
Contact Information
Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Leena Panwala at [email protected] with any questions prior to submitting an LOI. We will be happy to discuss your project in advance to help determine if it will be a good fit for the Foundation’s Research Program.
LOI’s along with any relevant attachments should be sent via email to: [email protected] with subject line: Letter of Intent/Your Last Name.
A representative from the Foundation will respond to your email to confirm receipt.
Application Requirements
Instructions for the LOI
Please provide a brief summary of the project, enabling the Foundation to assess how well the proposed research fits with the Foundation’s interests. Letters will be evaluated to determine the relevance of the proposed project to the Foundation’s mission and to provide advice when submitting a full proposal. The information provided in the letter of intent should be written in lay terms. The LOI should be one page in length (11-point, Arial font, 1 inch margins) and include the following information:
- Project Title
- PI and Co‐PIs, and associated institutions
- Background and summary of project
- Hypothesis and/or specific aims
- Clinical Impact/Research Significance
Instructions for the Full Proposal
The research proposal should be less than 6 pages in length, using 11-point Arial font (3 pages for the postdoctoral fellowships), and include the following information:
Research proposal:
- Project Title
- PI and Co‐PIs, and associated institutions
- Abstract/Summary of project
- Major objectives
- Hypothesis and/or specific aims
- Impact or expected outcomes
- Methodology/Research Plan, including relevant past work
- Clinical Impact/Research Significance
- Timeline with anticipated milestones
- References (included in the 6 page proposal)
- Budget/Funding Amount
- Curriculum vitae of the PI and Co-PIs in NIH biosketch format
- 3 letters of recommendation
Postdoctoral fellowships:
- Project Title
- Mentor, and associated institutions
- Abstract/Summary of project
- Major objectives
- Hypothesis and/or specific aims
- Impact or expected outcomes
- Methodology/Research Plan, including relevant past work
- References (included in the 3 page proposal)
- Budget/Funding Amount
- Curriculum vitae of the mentor and the applicant in NIH biosketch format
- 3 letters of recommendation