Muscular Dystrophy Association/Friends of FSH Research Grant for
Therapeutic Targets for Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and Friends of FSH Research invite proposals, under a competitive Request for Applications (RFA) process, to award a grant focusing on:

The identification, prioritization and/or validation of molecular targets for potential therapies or cures for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

We anticipate funding one award for two years under this program. The award is limited to $100,000 (indirect costs cannot exceed 10 percent) per year for two years, for a total award of $200,000.

Program Objectives/Criteria:

Proposals should address innovative hypotheses that advance approaches to elucidating and intervening with the molecular underpinnings of FSHD.  Priority will be given to proposals that:

• demonstrate collaboration among individuals and research teams with complementary interests that accelerate and expand the scope of FSHD research.
• illuminate a path or paths that may lead, in the foreseeable future, toward viable therapies or cures for FSHD.

Guidelines:

Applications will be received through the MDA Web-based research grant proposal system (https://proposalcentral.altum.com/)

Once you establish an account through proposalCENTRAL you will submit to “MDA Research Grant.”

The title of your proposal must include “FSHD RFA”

A letter of intent is due by November 30, 2009. All applications must be received by December 30, 2009. Funding will begin April 1, 2010.  Applications will be accepted from qualified independent investigators at public or private institutions, for-profit or nonprofit organizations, and foreign institutions.  Budget must be for up to $100,000 per year for two years (including indirect costs, which are limited to 10 percent).  Applying for this grant will not preclude individuals from applying to MDA through other research grant mechanisms.

Selection Criteria:

All applications will be peer-reviewed and scored based on significance of proposal, approach/methods of the research plan, innovation, investigator/experience, environment/resources and budget.  Scientific advisers from both Friends of FSH and MDA will oversee the review, decision and notification process.

Timeline:

Budget:

The proposed budget must not exceed $100,000 per year and indirect costs are limited to 10 percent. Additional budget instructions and guidelines are included with the application.

Contacts:

Paul Muhlrad, Ph.D.
Research Program Coordinator
Muscular Dystrophy Association
3300 East Sunrise Drive
Tucson, AZ  85718
Phone: (520) 529-5363
Fax: (520) 529-5454
pmuhlrad@mdausa.org

Terry Colella
Executive Director
Friends of FSH Research
217 19th Place
Kirkland, WA  98033
Phone: (425) 827-8954
fishauction@fshfriends.org