GBA1 Parkinson's Disease Research Catalyst Program
Funds integrative, hypothesis-driven research to uncover molecular mechanisms and disease variability in GBA1-associated Parkinson’s, leveraging existing datasets and promoting model standardization.
Funder: Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
Due Dates: July 22, 2026 (Full proposals due)
Funding Amounts: Up to $300,000 per project; typical duration not explicitly stated.
Summary: Supports integrative, hypothesis-driven research to advance understanding of GBA1-associated Parkinson’s disease, focusing on molecular mechanisms, disease variability, and model standardization.
Key Information: Proposals focused on therapeutic development or not leveraging existing data/cohorts are not eligible.
Description
This program funds research that seeks to deepen the biological understanding of GBA1-associated Parkinson’s disease (GBA1-PD) through globally integrated, hypothesis-driven studies. The focus is on elucidating molecular mechanisms linking GBA1 dysfunction to neurodegeneration—including lysosomal biology, lipid metabolism, and alpha-synuclein dynamics—along with studies of disease penetrance, progression, and clinical heterogeneity. The program emphasizes leveraging existing longitudinal cohorts, multi-modal datasets, and cross-cohort analyses, as well as the rigorous characterization and standardization of preclinical models. Proposals must prioritize integrative approaches, data sharing, and broad utility for the research community. Importantly, this program does not fund therapeutic development or projects that do not utilize existing datasets or cohorts.
