Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance Opens Two Research Grant Awards

Researchers working in Friedreich’s ataxia may submit their project proposals for funding by two grants awarded by the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA), the Kyle Bryant Translational Research Award and the Bronya J. Keats International Research Collaboration Award.

To apply researchers need to submit a letter of intent with a brief description of the project, preliminary results, an estimate of the budget and the CV of the principal investigator of the project. Applicants must indicate which award they are applying to in their application form.

The Kyle Bryant Translational Research Award is directed to pre-clinical and clinical research aimed at the development of new treatments for Friedreich’s ataxia. Submitted projects need to have a budget of up to $250,000 per year for one or two years.

To be eligible for this award, projects need to focus on:

• the identification of biomarkers that elucidate disease variability, severity, and prognosis, or that may improve drug screening and patient selection/clinical endpoints for trials;
• the development of tools that can be used in therapy development, improve treatment or enhance the delivery of potential therapeutics;
• pre-clinical development and assessment of potential new therapies and products in cellular and animal models of the disease;
• clinical studies of patient outcome measures, potential interventions, or devices.

The deadline to submit the letter of intent is May 15. Those invited to submit a full application must do so July 15.

The Bronya J. Keats International Research Collaboration Award is attributed to research projects that promote scientific collaboration among researchers from at least two countries. Project proposals need to clearly state why and how the collaboration will help achieve the project’s goals.

The budget cannot exceed the amount of $200,000 per year for one or two years. The deadline for the letter of intent is May 15. For those invited to submit a full application, the deadline for submission is July 15.

Earlier this year, FARA opened applications for the Keith Michael Andrus Memorial Award, which favor research projects aimed at understanding, or treat heart complications associated with Friedreich’s ataxia. This project awards as much as $150,000 per year for one or two years.