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

August 15, 2025 (Letter of Intent) | December 5, 2025 (Full Application, by invitation)

$25,000 for one year; non-renewable; direct research costs only

One-year fellowship for graduate students conducting innovative research on the causes, diagnosis, or treatment of ataxia.

Only one application per applicant per year; LOI required before full application.

--- ## Description The National Ataxia Foundation (NAF) Graduate Research Fellowship supports outstanding graduate students pursuing research that advances the understanding, diagnosis, or treatment of hereditary, sporadic, or acquired ataxias. The fellowship is designed to foster early engagement in ataxia research and to aid in the development of foundational skills for future scientific careers. Proposals are welcomed from across the spectrum of basic, translational, and clinical research, with evaluation based on scientific merit, innovation, commitment to ataxia research, and the quality of the training environment and mentorship. --- ## Due Dates - **Letter of Intent (LOI) Deadline:** August 15, 2025 (by 11:59 PM Eastern Time) - **Full Application Deadline:** December 5, 2025 (by invitation, following LOI approval) - **Decision Notification:** February 2026 - **Funding Period:** April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027 --- ## Funding Amount - **Total Award:** Up to $25,000 for one year (non-renewable) - **Eligible Costs:** Direct research expenses and/or graduate student stipend - **Restrictions:** Indirect costs/cost sharing are not allowed. All or part of the award may be used for the fellow’s salary. - **No-Cost Extensions:** Considered only under extenuating circumstances and subject to NAF approval. --- ## Eligibility Applicants must meet **all** of the following criteria at the time of application: - Hold a baccalaureate degree or equivalent. - Be currently enrolled in a PhD or equivalent research degree program (e.g., PharmD, PsyD, ScD), a formally combined MD/PhD program, or another combined professional/clinical and research doctoral program (e.g., DDS/PhD) at a not-for-profit U.S. or foreign institution of higher education. - Have successfully completed qualifying exams (or equivalent) by the final grant due date and have a thesis advisor. - Demonstrate high academic performance in the sciences and a commitment to a career as an independent research scientist or physician-scientist with a focus on ataxia. - Non-U.S. citizens are eligible. - Applications are accepted from U.S. and international institutions. - Applicants may submit only one application per year (as lead PI); those who previously received a NAF Pre-doctoral Fellowship or hold another fellowship/studentship/scholarship during the award period are ineligible. - Must have identified a committed research mentor. --- ## Application Process 1. **Create a ProposalCentral Account:** All applications are submitted via [ProposalCentral](https://proposalcentral.com/). 2. **Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI):** - Deadline: August 15, 2025, 11:59 PM ET. - LOIs are competitively reviewed; only the top 30–50% will be invited to submit a full application. - Required LOI components: Statement of Need, Impact Statement, Specific Aims (1 page max), and Biosketch (5 pages max). - [LOI Instructions (PDF)](https://www.ataxia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FY2026-LOI-Instructions.pdf) 3. **Full Application (by invitation):** - Deadline: December 5, 2025, 11:59 PM ET. - Required components: Scientific Abstract, Lay Summary, Specific Aims, Biosketch, Research Plan (up to 6 pages), Budget & Justification, References, and Mentor Letter of Recommendation. 4. **Review & Notification:** Funding decisions communicated by February 2026. For detailed application instructions, see the [official program PDF](https://www.ataxia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/FY2026-Graduate-Research-Fellowship-Instructions.pdf). --- ## Additional Information - Only one application per applicant per year is allowed. - Applicants identifying with underrepresented groups may also consider the separate Pre-Doctoral Fellowship to Promote Diversity in Ataxia Research. - All NAF awards are subject to [NAF Annual Research Grant Policies](https://www.ataxia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/FY2026-General-Grants-Policy.pdf). - No indirect costs or cost sharing permitted. - For questions regarding the application process, contact Aimee Alcott at aimee@ataxia.org. --- ## External Links - [NAF Graduate Research Fellowship Instructions (PDF)](https://www.ataxia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/FY2026-Graduate-Research-Fellowship-Instructions.pdf) - [ProposalCentral Application Portal](https://proposalcentral.com/) - [NAF Researcher Resources](https://www.ataxia.org/researcher-resources/) - [NAF Annual Research Grant Policies (PDF)](https://www.ataxia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/FY2026-General-Grants-Policy.pdf) - [LOI Instructions (PDF)](https://www.ataxia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FY2026-LOI-Instructions.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | Webpage | |------------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------|------------------------------------------------------| | Aimee Alcott (Program) | aimee@ataxia.org | +1 763-553-0020 | [NAF Contact Page](https://www.ataxia.org/contact/) | | General Inquiries | naf@ataxia.org | +1 763-553-0020 | [National Ataxia Foundation](https://ataxia.org) | ---

NAF Graduate Research Fellowship

Sign in to see full grant listing