FTD Diagnostic Biomarkers Initiative
Funds research to develop and validate diagnostic biomarkers for frontotemporal lobar degeneration, aiming to improve early and accurate diagnosis through accessible and scalable tools.
Funder: The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration
Due Dates: March 6, 2026 (Letter of Intent) | May 12, 2026 (Full Proposal)
Funding Amounts: $250,000–$700,000 per award (up to 2 years); 2–4 grants awarded per cycle; up to 10% indirect costs for academic/nonprofit institutions.
Summary: Supports research to develop and validate diagnostic biomarkers for frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), enabling earlier and more accurate diagnosis.
Key Information: Postdocs cannot apply as lead PI; animal studies and progression biomarkers are not within scope.
Description
This initiative funds research aimed at identifying and developing objective biomarkers to improve the diagnosis of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) disorders, including behavioral variant FTD, ALS-FTD, PSP, CBS, and some PPA disorders. The goal is to enable earlier, more accurate, and accessible diagnosis, overcoming current challenges of clinical overlap and limited specialist access. The program encourages projects that develop scalable and accessible diagnostic tools, especially those that can be used outside highly specialized clinics, and supports both validation and translation of biomarker assessments into clinical practice. Collaborative projects, including those between academia and industry or involving underrepresented populations, are encouraged.
