Batten Disease Clinical Research Consortium (BDCRC) Early Career Investigator Grant

The Batten Disease Clinical Research Consortium (BDCRC) Early Career Investigator Grant aims to enhance the training of emerging clinician-scientists in rare disease research, particularly neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL). This grant supports two post-graduate clinician investigators in conducting innovative research to improve care for individuals with NCLs. The program emphasizes the importance of community partnership, operational efficiency, and high-quality data to advance the development of new therapies and improve existing care standards.

Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network
The network is an initiative of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), led by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences through is Division of Rare Diseases Research Innovation (formerly the Office of Rare Diseases Research). It is funded by collaborating NIH institutes, centers, and offices.
Now in its fifth funding cycle, RDCRN supports 20 rare disease research groups (consortia) that partner with 127 affiliated patient advocacy groups. In total, 180 diseases are currently being studied at 273 active clinical sites, both in the United States and internationally.
Batten Disease Clinical Research Consortium (BDCRC) Early Career Investigator Grant
Purpose
The mission of the Batten Disease Clinical Research Consortium (BDCRC) is to establish and maintain a multi-site clinical and translational research program that drives rigorous and reproducible science, high data quality, operational efficiency, and strong community partnership, in service of creating novel neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) therapies, continuously improving care standards, and advancing knowledge. The Early Career Investigator Grant (ECIG) addresses training needs in rare disease research by providing highly specialized education in the complexities of clinical research in the NCLs.
We are seeking to support two post-graduate clinician investigators with interests across the translational science continuum to conduct innovative research to advance care for individuals living with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs).
Expectations
Selected scholars will be expected to conduct the following:
Design and implement a research project related to the NCLs. Candidates are encouraged to leverage existing research projects through the BDCRC.
Meet at least quarterly with their BDCRC advisor and periodically with BDCRC Career Enhancement Core Co-Leads, including entrance and exit interviews.
Complete a progress report within 30 days of grant completion.
Regularly attend BDCRC webinars and investigator meetings.
Present research in progress at a national or international NCL-focused conference (e.g., Batten Disease Support, Research, & Advocacy (BDSRA) Foundation’s Annual Family Conference, International NCL Congress, or Translational Research Conference on the NCLs, etc.).
Participate in the annual Rare Disease Clinical Research Network Conference, if feasible.
Prepare at least one manuscript related to the NCLs.
Submit at least one application for research funding within 12 months of completion of the ECIG.

Eligibility

Eligible candidates must be actively affiliated with a US-based academic health care institution; They must be within five years of completing their terminal clinically oriented training (such as residency or fellowship); and They must have a doctoral degree in medicine, psychology, nursing, genetics/genetic counseling, occupational or physical therapy, or speech language pathology; others licensed to practice clinically may also be eligible. Candidates from non-clinical disciplines will only be considered if proposing a career development plan integrated with their institution’s clinical team focused on the NCLs. Candidates are required to have a local primary mentor and are encouraged to establish a mentoring team. Applications from outside the BDCRC are encouraged, with support from at least one advisor from a BDCRC site. Candidates may not hold an active individual K award or equivalent. Candidates may apply with active non-K, non-overlapping career development awards or institutional fellowships.

Ineligibility

Candidates who propose animal studies will not be considered.