Stef Smith Research Grant
Stef Smith Research Grant supports early investigators studying the cause, diagnosis, or management of myasthenia gravis, excluding drug treatments, to advance knowledge and improve patients’ lives.
Funder: UCB
Due Dates: February 28, 2026 (Phase 1) | October 31, 2026 (Phase 2)
Funding Amounts: Up to €200,000 per project (€100,000 annually for a maximum of two years); one or two awards
Summary: Supports early investigators researching the cause, diagnosis, or management of myasthenia gravis, excluding pharmacological treatments.
Key Information: Healthcare organizations must apply; project leads must hold an M.D. or equivalent, be at or below Assistant Professor level, and be within five years post-neurology training.
Description
UCB’s Stef Smith Research Grant, also called the Stef Smith Early Investigators Research Grant, supports innovative research into the cause, diagnosis, or management of myasthenia gravis. Pharmacological treatments are excluded. The programme supports early investigators working through healthcare organizations or institutions, with the aim of improving patients’ lives and advancing scientific knowledge.
The grant sits within UCB’s broader support for independent initiatives that improve patient care. It was founded in honor of Stef Smith, whose experience with myasthenia gravis inspired the research of her husband, Bryan Smith, a retired UCB researcher and biochemist involved in developing novel approaches to treating generalized myasthenia gravis.
