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

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

Up to $35,000 for one year; direct research costs only; no indirect costs permitted.

Supports early-career researchers with mentored, one-year projects advancing research on hereditary, sporadic, or acquired ataxias.

Forecasted dates—verify with program page before applying.

--- ## Description This fellowship provides one year of financial support to early-career researchers conducting innovative studies on the causes, mechanisms, or treatment of hereditary, sporadic, and acquired ataxias. The program aims to foster the next generation of ataxia researchers by supporting mentored research projects that generate preliminary data, enhance research skills, and facilitate career advancement toward independent research. Emphasis is placed on scientific merit, innovation, and the applicant’s demonstrated commitment to ataxia research, as well as the quality of training and professional development opportunities provided by the fellowship. --- ## Due Dates - August 2026 (anticipated): Letter of Intent deadline - December 2026 (anticipated): Full application deadline *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum award: Up to $35,000 for a one-year project. - Funds may be used for direct research expenses only; indirect costs are not allowed. - No-cost extensions may be considered under extenuating circumstances, subject to approval. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must have completed a PhD, equivalent research degree (e.g., PharmD, PsyD, ScD), a formally combined MD/PhD, or other combined professional/clinical and research doctoral degree. - Must hold a full-time post-doctoral appointment at an academic institution, non-profit, or for-profit organization. - Must have completed at least one year, but not more than four years, of post-doctoral training at the time of application. - Open to both U.S. and international researchers. - Applicants who have been lead PI on a funded NAF grant within the past two fiscal years, or who have previously received a NAF Post-doctoral Fellowship, are ineligible. - Only one application per applicant (as lead PI) per year is permitted. - Applicants must be in good standing with any previous NAF awards. --- ## Application Process 1. **Register at ProposalCentral**: All submissions must be made via [ProposalCentral](https://proposalcentral.com/). 2. **Letter of Intent (LOI)**: Submit an LOI by the anticipated August deadline. LOIs are competitively reviewed for alignment with NAF’s mission and scientific merit. Only select applicants will be invited to submit a full application. - LOI components: Statement of Need, Impact Statement, Specific Aims (1 page), Biosketch (5 pages). 3. **Full Application**: If invited, submit a complete application by the anticipated December deadline. - Full application includes: Research Plan (6 pages), Budget and Justification, References. 4. **Review and Notification**: Applications are peer-reviewed; funding decisions are typically announced in early the following year. --- ## Additional Information - Projects must focus on ataxia and may address disease mechanisms, model development, therapeutic strategies, or foundational data collection. - Up to 100% of the award can be used for personnel costs, but salary/stipend requests are capped at the NIH postdoctoral stipend level and must be prorated if effort is less than 100%. - No indirect costs are permitted; funds must be allocated to direct research expenses only. - Applicants must adhere to all NAF grant policies and reporting requirements, including data sharing and progress reports. --- ## External Links - [Funder Home Page](https://ataxia.org) - [Funder Researcher Resources](https://www.ataxia.org/researcher-resources/) - [Full Fellowship Instructions (PDF)](https://www.ataxia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/FY2026-Post-Doc-Fellowship-Award-Instructions.pdf) - [Annual Grant Program Policies (PDF)](https://www.ataxia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/FY2026-General-Grants-Policy.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |------------------------|--------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | naf@ataxia.org | | Phone | +1 763-553-0020 | | Contact Form | [https://ataxia.org/contact](https://ataxia.org/contact) | ---

Post-doctoral Fellowship Awards - National Ataxia Foundation

Sign in to see full grant listing