[National Ataxia Foundation](https://ataxia.org)

August 2026 (Letter of Intent) | December 2026 (Full application)

Up to $50,000 for a one-year project; direct research expenses only; no indirect costs allowed.

Annual grant supporting innovative research to advance understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of multiple system atrophy, cerebellar subtype (MSA-C).

--- ## Description This annual grant from the National Ataxia Foundation supports independent researchers conducting preclinical, translational, or clinical research focused on multiple system atrophy, cerebellar subtype (MSA-C). The program prioritizes projects that accelerate disease-modifying therapy development, enable clinical trial readiness (including biomarker discovery and validation), improve diagnostic methods, bridge scientific discovery and therapeutic application, and advance mechanistic understanding of MSA-C pathogenesis. The grant is designed to drive meaningful progress in the treatment and care of individuals affected by MSA-C, honoring Michael Lundquist’s legacy and the Foundation’s mission to improve outcomes for those living with ataxia. --- ## Due Dates - August 2026: Letter of Intent deadline (anticipated/projected) - December 2026: Full application deadline (anticipated/projected) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum award: **Up to $50,000** for a one-year project. - Funds may be used for direct research expenses only. - **Personnel costs:** No more than 50% of the award may be used for personnel. - **Indirect costs:** Not allowed. - No-cost extensions considered only under extenuating circumstances and subject to approval. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must have completed postdoctoral training and hold a full-time appointment as a faculty member, clinical fellow, or senior scientist at an academic institution, non-profit, or for-profit organization. - Open to both U.S. and international researchers; non-U.S. citizens are eligible. - Lead PIs who have held a funded National Ataxia Foundation grant within the past two fiscal years are **ineligible**. - Applicants must be in good standing with any previous NAF awards. - Only **one application per applicant (as lead PI) per year** is permitted. - Proposals must primarily focus on MSA-C. Projects solely focused on MSA-P will not be considered. --- ## Application Process 1. **Create an Account:** Register on [ProposalCentral](https://proposalcentral.com/) to access application materials. 2. **Letter of Intent (LOI):** - Submit via ProposalCentral by the anticipated August deadline. - LOI must include: - Statement of Need (≤4 sentences) - Impact Statement (≤4 sentences) - Specific Aims (1 page max) - Biosketch (5 pages max, NIH/NINDS format) - Only top 30–50% of LOIs will be invited to submit a full application. 3. **Full Application:** - If invited, submit a complete application by the anticipated December deadline. - Requirements include: scientific abstract, lay summary, specific aims, biosketch, research plan (6 pages), budget and justification, and references. 4. **Review and Decision:** - Applications are reviewed for alignment with NAF priorities, scientific merit, and relevance to ataxia. - Funding decisions are typically communicated by February following the application deadline. 5. **Award Administration:** - Funds are for direct research costs only. - No indirect costs or cost sharing allowed. - No-cost extensions are rare and require approval. --- ## Additional Information - Only one LOI and one application per applicant per year (as lead investigator). - Projects must demonstrate a clear path to clinical impact for MSA-C. - The content of the full application must be consistent with the aims and scope proposed in the LOI. --- ## External Links - [National Ataxia Foundation Researcher Resources](https://www.ataxia.org/researcher-resources/) - [FY2026 Michael Lundquist Grant Application Instructions (PDF)](https://www.ataxia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/FY2026-Michael-Lundquist-Grant-Research-Instructions-1.pdf) - [Letter of Intent Instructions (PDF)](https://www.ataxia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FY2026-LOI-Instructions.pdf) - [ProposalCentral Grant Submission Portal](https://proposalcentral.com/) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | Web Contact | |-----------------|------------------------|-----------------|----------------------------------| | National Ataxia Foundation | naf@ataxia.org | +1 763-553-0020 | [Contact Form](https://ataxia.org/contact) | | Aimee Alcott (Grant Inquiries) | Aimee@ataxia.org | | |

Michael Lundquist Grant to Advance MSA-C Research

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