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

August 2026 (LOI) | December 2026 (Full application)

Up to $50,000 for one year; no indirect costs; max 50% to personnel.

Supports early-career investigators conducting innovative research on the causes, mechanisms, or treatment of hereditary, sporadic, or acquired ataxias.

Forecasted dates—check program page for updates before applying.

--- ## Description The Early Career Investigator Award from the National Ataxia Foundation (NAF) provides one year of seed funding for outstanding early-stage scientists pursuing innovative, high-impact research in ataxia. The award is designed to help early-career investigators establish independent research programs, generate pilot data, and advance scientific understanding or therapeutic development for hereditary, sporadic, or acquired ataxias. Projects may be basic, translational, or clinical in nature, but must have a clear focus on ataxia. The award also emphasizes career development, mentorship, and the transition to research independence. --- ## Due Dates - **Letter of Intent (LOI):** August 2026 (anticipated/projected) - **Full Application (by invitation):** December 2026 (anticipated/projected) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - **Award Size:** Up to $50,000 (direct costs only) for a 1-year period - **Personnel Costs:** No more than 50% of the award may be allocated to personnel expenses (including PI and other staff) - **Indirect Costs:** Not allowed - **No-Cost Extensions:** Considered only under extenuating circumstances and with NAF approval --- ## Eligibility - Must have completed a PhD, equivalent research degree (e.g., PharmD, PsyD, ScD), combined MD/PhD, or other combined professional/clinical and research doctoral degree. - Must have completed postdoctoral training within the past six years and hold a junior faculty or clinical fellow appointment at the time of application. - Individuals at the Associate Professor level or higher are not eligible. - Clinician scientists must have finished residency no more than five years prior to applying. - Must hold a full-time appointment at an academic institution, non-profit, or for-profit organization. - Open to applicants from both U.S. and international institutions; U.S. citizenship is not required. - Applicants who were the lead PI on a funded NAF grant within the past two fiscal years are ineligible. - Only one application per applicant (as lead PI) per year. - Must be in good standing with any previous NAF awards. --- ## Application Process 1. **Create a ProposalCentral Account:** All applications are managed via [ProposalCentral](https://proposalcentral.com/). 2. **Submit Letter of Intent (LOI):** Submit via ProposalCentral by the anticipated August deadline. The LOI includes: - Statement of Need (≤4 sentences) - Impact Statement (≤4 sentences) - Specific Aims (1 page) - Biosketch (5 pages) 3. **Invitation to Apply:** Top-scoring LOIs (typically 30–50%) will be invited to submit a full application. 4. **Full Application (by invitation):** Submit via ProposalCentral by the anticipated December deadline. Required components: - Scientific Abstract (300 words) - Lay Summary (200 words) - Specific Aims (1 page) - Biosketch (5 pages) - Research Plan (6 pages) - Budget & Justification - References 5. **Review and Notification:** Applications are peer reviewed. Funding decisions announced in early the following year. --- ## Additional Information - **Funding Priorities:** Projects should focus on fundamental disease mechanisms, development of disease models, identification of therapeutic targets, or early-stage data collection for future grants. - **Career Development:** Proposals should describe how the award will support the investigator’s path to independence and include evidence of mentorship and institutional support. - **Compliance:** All awardees must adhere to [NAF’s grant policies](https://www.ataxia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/FY2026-General-Grants-Policy.pdf). - **No indirect costs** or cost sharing permitted. - **No-cost extensions** only in extenuating circumstances with approval. --- ## External Links - [NAF Early Career Investigator Award RFP & Instructions (PDF)](https://www.ataxia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/FY2026-Early-Career-Award-Instructions.pdf) - [NAF Researcher Resources & Grant Programs](https://www.ataxia.org/researcher-resources/) - [Letter of Intent Instructions (PDF)](https://www.ataxia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FY2026-LOI-Instructions.pdf) - [ProposalCentral Application Portal](https://proposalcentral.com/) - [NAF Annual Grant Program Policies (PDF)](https://www.ataxia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/FY2026-General-Grants-Policy.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Name/Role | Email | Phone | Web Contact | |-------------------------|---------------------------------|------------------|---------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | naf@ataxia.org | +1 763-553-0020 | [Contact Form](https://ataxia.org/contact) | | Grant Application (LOI) | aimee@ataxia.org | | | ---

NAF Early Career Investigator Award

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