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

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

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

One-year fellowship supporting early-career researchers in innovative ataxia studies to foster independent research careers.

Applicants must have 1–4 years of postdoctoral training; both U.S. and international researchers are eligible.

--- ## Description The National Ataxia Foundation (NAF) Post-doctoral Fellowship Award offers one-year funding to early-career researchers conducting innovative projects that advance understanding of the cause, pathogenesis, or treatment of hereditary, sporadic, or acquired ataxias. The fellowship is designed to foster the development of promising scientists through mentored research experiences, helping fellows generate preliminary data, strengthen their research skills, and build toward independent research careers. Projects are evaluated on scientific merit, innovation, commitment to ataxia research, and the potential for career development. --- ## Due Dates - Letter of Intent (LOI) deadline: **August 15, 2025, 11:59 PM ET** - Full application (by invitation only) deadline: **December 5, 2025, 11:59 PM ET** - Funding decisions: February 2026 - Funding period: April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027 --- ## Funding Amount - **Up to $35,000** for a one-year period. - Funds may be used for direct research expenses only (including salary support). - No indirect costs or cost sharing allowed. - No-cost extensions (NCE) are considered only under extenuating circumstances and require approval. --- ## Eligibility Applicants must meet all of the following criteria: - Hold a PhD, equivalent research degree (e.g., PharmD, PsyD, ScD), combined MD/PhD, or other professional/clinical and research doctoral degree (e.g., DDS/PhD). - Have completed at least one year, but not more than four years, of postdoctoral training at the time of application. - Hold a full-time postdoctoral appointment at an academic institution, non-profit organization, or for-profit company. - Open to U.S. and international researchers; non-U.S. citizens are eligible. - Applicants who were lead PI on a funded NAF grant in the past two fiscal years or who have previously received a NAF Post-doctoral Fellowship are ineligible. - Must be in good standing with any previous NAF awards. - Only one application per applicant (as lead PI) per year. --- ## Application Process 1. **Create a ProposalCentral Account:** All submissions must be made through [ProposalCentral](https://proposalcentral.com/). 2. **Submit Letter of Intent (LOI):** - Due by August 15, 2025, 11:59 PM ET. - Components: Statement of Need, Impact Statement, Specific Aims (1 page), Biosketch (5 pages). - Only the top 30–50% of LOIs will be invited to submit a full application. 3. **Full Application (by invitation):** - Due by December 5, 2025, 11:59 PM ET. - Requirements: Scientific Abstract, Lay Summary, Specific Aims, Biosketch, Research Plan (6 pages), Budget and Justification, References. 4. **Review and Notification:** Applications reviewed for scientific merit, innovation, commitment to ataxia research, and training plan. Funding notifications sent by February 2026. For detailed instructions, see the [FY2026 Post-Doc Fellowship Award Instructions (PDF)](https://www.ataxia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/FY2026-Post-Doc-Fellowship-Award-Instructions.pdf). --- ## Additional Information - Indirect costs are not allowed. - No-cost extensions may be granted in extenuating circumstances with NAF approval. - Applicants may only submit one application per year across all NAF grant mechanisms; select the most appropriate program for your career stage. - 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). --- ## External Links - [National Ataxia Foundation Researcher Resources](https://www.ataxia.org/researcher-resources/) - [FY2026 Post-Doc Fellowship Award Instructions (PDF)](https://www.ataxia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/FY2026-Post-Doc-Fellowship-Award-Instructions.pdf) - [ProposalCentral Application Portal](https://proposalcentral.com/) - [NAF Annual Research Grant Policies (PDF)](https://www.ataxia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/FY2026-General-Grants-Policy.pdf) - [LOI Submission Guidelines (PDF)](https://www.ataxia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FY2026-LOI-Instructions.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | Webpage | |-----------------------|-----------------------------|-------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | naf@ataxia.org | +1 763-553-0020 | [Contact NAF](https://ataxia.org/contact) | | Application Questions | Aimee Alcott (Program Mgr.) | Aimee@ataxia.org | [NAF Researcher Resources](https://www.ataxia.org/researcher-resources/) | ---

NAF Post-doctoral Fellowship Award

Sign in to see full grant listing