Collaborative Research Network Technical Track RFA

Collaborative Research Network Technical Track RFA

The Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Initiative invites applications from collaborative teams to join the ASAP Collaborative Research Network (CRN). For this cycle, applications within the Technical Track focused on supporting the development of novel tools that can be reliably produced and shared with the research community to accelerate validation and therapeutic R&D for emerging targets pursued or identified through ASAP discoveries will be considered.

• Objective: Generate, validate, and distribute preclinical reagents and/or models tailored to support critical research needs for at least 5 targets from a list of eligible targets, as outlined.
• Funding Focus: Support tool-specific (not target-specific) projects that generate high-quality resources distributed via commercial mechanisms.
• Approach: Teams must focus on a tool type (e.g., antibodies, viral vectors, mouse models) to ensure depth of expertise and quality of tools created for the panel of targets selected. Note that hypothesis-driven research is out of scope for this proposal. Once the tools have been developed and validated, there may be opportunities for additional funding support at that time to test target biology, but this is not the scope of the current call.

Funding

Applicant teams may request funds up to $2 million USD total costs per year to support up to a three-year research plan, for a total of up to $6 million USD in total costs.

Eligibility

_ You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's [website]().docx.pdf).

Application Details

Table of Contents
Opportunity.....................................................................................................................................3
Background.....................................................................................................................................3
The ASAP Initiative...............................................................................................................3
Goals of the ASAP Collaborative Research Network...........................................................3
Award Overview..............................................................................................................................4
Research Focus and Scope................................................................................................4
Eligible Targets for Tool Generation....................................................................................4
Table 1. List of Target Candidates for the ASAP Technical Track.......................................5
Target Selection...................................................................................................................6
In Scope vs Out of Scope....................................................................................................6
Team Composition...............................................................................................................8
Funding Available................................................................................................................9
Key Dates............................................................................................................................9
Grant Terms and Policies...............................................................................................................9
Grant Terms..........................................................................................................................9
ASAP Open Science Policy................................................................................................10
Cost Policy..........................................................................................................................11
Application Process.....................................................................................................................11
LOI Instructions...................................................................................................................11
Full Proposal Instructions................................................................................................... 12
LOI Checklist.................................................................................................................................12
Review and Selection Process....................................................................................................13
Confidentiality...............................................................................................................................14
Contact..........................................................................................................................................14

Opportunity
The Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Initiative invites applications
from collaborative teams to join the ASAP Collaborative Research Network
(CRN), an international, multidisciplinary, multi-institutional network of research
teams working to address high-priority research questions in an effort to advance
pipeline. For this cycle, applications within the Technical Track that focus
on the development of novel tools that can be reliably produced and
shared with the research community to accelerate validation and
therapeutic R&D for emerging targets identified from ASAP discoveries will
be considered (please see the Award Overview section for list of targets).
The ASAP Initiative
ASAP is a Parkinson’s disease-focused, global initiative that aims to address key
knowledge gaps in PD research to reinvigorate the PD research pipeline. ASAP is
managed by the Coalition for Aligning Science (CAS) and implemented through
the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF). Led by Nobel
laureate Dr. Randy Schekman, and Dr. Ekemini Riley, ASAP works with The
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) to leverage the
Foundation’s grant administration and grantmaking infrastructure to receive
applications, administer the review process and execute grant awards to projects
selected for funding.
ASAP is on a mission to accelerate the pace of discovery and inform the path to a
cure for Parkinson’s disease (PD) through collaboration, generation of
research-enabling resources, and data-sharing. The ASAP initiative provides
funding opportunities to the scientific community in support of higher-risk,
large-scale, ambitious projects to spur discovery for Parkinson’s disease (PD)
research. The Technical Track is designed to generate resources for the
research community to further explore emerging targets identified from ASAP
discoveries.
the initiative.
Goals of the ASAP Collaborative Research Network
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a multisystem disorder encompassing motor and
to build upon the international, multidisciplinary network of collaborating
Further, we seek to:

• ● Attract diverse talent from relevant fields outside of PD and
• neurodegeneration, as well as young investigators who will infuse
• fresh ideas and perspectives to PD research.
• PAGE 3 OF 15

● Support productive, meaningful collaborations to achieve goals that
supersede the expertise or capabilities of any one lab.
● Drive intense focus to the selected research themes to accelerate discovery.
● Embrace the values of open science and transparency as a means of
accelerating outcomes and improving the reproducibility and impact of
research findings.
We encourage a forward-thinking approach to research that is not constrained by
long-held hypotheses and dogma, and that is conducted in an environment of
trust. As such, we seek to bring together investigators who are enthusiastic about
working transparently in a highly collaborative network -- one that includes field
experts working with investigators with no previous record of PD research, who
prioritize innovation over safe bets, and who are willing to risk testing
unconventional ideas.
Research Focus and Scope
The CRN 2025 Technical Track supports the development of novel tools that
can be reliably produced and shared with the research community to
accelerate validation and therapeutic R&D for emerging targets pursued or
identified through ASAP discoveries (see list of 20 targets currently being
prioritized within ASAP programs in Table 1). Preclinical tools generated, validated
and distributed through this track should support research for at least 5 of the
targets listed in Table 1 below, be tailored to meet key gaps in the existing
commercial laboratory reagent/model landscape, and help address critical
research questions for these selected targets.
Technical Track Objective: Generate, validate, and distribute preclinical reagents
and/or models tailored to support critical research needs for at least 5 of the
prioritized targets from the 20 listed in Table 1.
Technical Track Funding Focus: Support tool-specific (not target-specific)
projects that generate high-quality resources distributed via commercial
mechanisms.
Technical Track Approach: Teams must focus on a tool type (e.g., antibodies,
viral vectors, mouse models) to ensure depth of expertise and quality of tools
created for the panel of targets selected. Note that hypothesis-driven research is
out of scope for this proposal. Once the tools have been developed and validated,
there may be opportunities for additional funding support at that time to test target
biology, but this is not the scope of the current call.
Eligible Targets for Tool Generation
Projects within the Technical Track must focus on tool development related to the
prioritized target list from the table below. This list was compiled from targets
PAGE 4 OF 15

currently pursued or identified in the ASAP CRN program and/or the Global
Parkinson’s Genetics Project (GP2). Prioritization was given to targets with known
links to PD biology with limited toolsets so that the research community can utilize
the tool to further study the target's impact on PD initiation/progression. Please
note that some of the targets on the list might already have extensive resources for
a specific tool type (e.g. animal model or antibody) but not for another tool type.
The technical track is focusing on the development of tool types that meet key
gaps in the existing commercial laboratory reagent/model landscape.
Table 1. List of Target Candidates for the ASAP Technical Track
ASAP does not endorse the targets outlined below as the only targets that should be studied in
the Parkinson’s field. The following targets are of interest due to emerging discoveries from ASAP
programs (published and unpublished findings).
relevance of these discoveries further, and make clearer go/no go decisions on whether to move
these targets forward into the research and development pipeline.
GPNMB Transmembrane glycoprotein NMB Q14956 CRN / GP2
HLA-DRB5 Major Histocompatibility Complex, Class II, DR Q30154 CRN / GP2

SYNJ1 Synaptojanin-1 O43426 CRN
TREM2 Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 Q9NZC2 CRN
USP30 Ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase 30 Q70CQ3 CRN
VPS13C Vacuolar protein sorting 13 homolog C Q709C8 CRN / GP2
tools are not included in this round of the Technical Track. If you are interested in developing
reagents/models for targets not included in this list, those would fall outside the current scope of
the Technical Track. However, we welcome you to submit these out-of-scope ideas to the MJFF
Research Tools Program for discussion by emailing tools@michaeljfox.org to explore other
funding opportunities.
Target Selection
Applicants are instructed to select at least 5 targets from Table 1. The number of
targets selected should be based on the timelines and expenses associated with
generating and validating the tool type pursued by the team.
encourage teams to select targets strategically. Please consider the following
when reviewing the list:

• Pathway: Selecting targets that are within a common pathway, will likely

make a stronger proposal, as it would support synergistic validation
workstreams, and also create a toolkit package to support future programs
interrogating key PD pathways. For example, one could consider a
proposal around the detection reagents for lysosomal targets, developing
antibodies for targets listed that are part of the lysosomal pathway. Please
note that this is an illustrative example only.
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• Available Tools: When selecting targets, please ensure that the team has

evaluated the current commercial landscape for the tools available for the
targets.
rather support the development of preclinical tools that address an unmet
need.
analysis at https://zenodo.org/records/14552859 as a starting point.
Applicants should also conduct their own additional independent review
when selecting the targets to focus on for their proposal.
In Scope vs Out of Scope
The Technical Track LOI application consists of three components: (1) Tool
Generation, (2) Tool Validation, and (3) Tool Distribution.
● In Scope
○ Generation of preclinical models to support in vivo or in vitro
assessments of target or mutation function (e.g. genetically
modified rodents or iPSCs, etc) of at least 5 targets from the ASAP
prioritized list
○ Generation of detection reagents to support improved measurement
or visualization of the target or target activity (e.g. antibodies,
nanobodies, probes) of at least 5 targets from the ASAP prioritized
list
○ Generation of modulation agents to understand the directionality of
therapeutic benefit (e.g. viral vectors, compounds, antisense
oligonucleotides, etc) of at least 5 targets from the ASAP prioritized
● Out of Scope
○ Projects to generate preclinical tools/models for targets outside the list provided by
ASAP or projects that will not be generating preclinical tools/models.
○ Development of preclinical reagents or models incorporating
third-party intellectual property that would prevent or significantly
delay distribution.
○ Development of preclinical reagents or models that duplicate
existing tools or do not provide substantial benefit over alternatives
available.
○ Generation of therapeutic candidates or non-preclinical research
tools that will remain undisclosed or inaccessible to the research
community.
○ Generation of target-agnostic devices (e.g. wearable devices,
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○ Validation of the tool in appropriate systems (e.g. knockout
validation for antibodies, catalytically-dead control for tools towards
kinase targets, etc).
○ Characterization of the tool to inform conditions of use in PD
research (e.g. application compatibility for antibodies, nigrostriatal
system integrity in genetic rodent models, etc).
● Out of Scope
○ Projects performing hypothesis-driven research rather than generating and
validating novel preclinical tools/models. Therefore, in-depth mechanistic studies of
the target biology, target pathway, or therapeutic potential of the target are out of
scope.
commercial repository or academic core represented by the
Core/Repository Co-Investigator. This commercial repository or
academic core must have a demonstrated history of
commercializing research reagents/models.
○ Sales of the research tools at commercially reasonable prices for
academic and industry researchers without burdensome licensing
requirements for purchasers.
○ Established click-to-order e-commerce systems preferred.
● Out of Scope
○ Projects generating preclinical reagents/models that cannot or will not be rapidly
shared with the research community through easily accessible mechanisms.
○ Solely sharing research tools through MTAs between institutions.
○ Proposals to develop a new company or establish a new distribution
system.
Team Composition
Teams are required to be multidisciplinary and multi-institutional. Unlike “Center
Grants” that play to the strengths of a single institution, this research network
intends to establish teams comprising the best researcher expertise to address
key knowledge gaps and program goals, regardless of their geographical location
or institutional affiliation. The ASAP CRN encourages applications which leverage
diverse expertise to creatively overcome challenges in PD research.
Collaboration is core to the ASAP mission and therefore a central feature of the
CRN. To foster successful coordination and cohesion, teams should be made up of
a group of Core Leadership representatives of between two (2) and five (5)
collaborators responsible for co-leading & executing the proposed work. A
Coordinating Lead PI will assume primary responsibility for submitting the proposal
(on behalf of Core Leadership) and will act as administrative contact between
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ASAP and all other PIs on the application. All Core Leadership representatives are
expected to actively contribute to the project and engage in network activities. All
Core Leadership except for the Core/Repository Co-Investigator must commit to a
minimum allocation of 0.25 (25%) of their time and effort. For a more detailed
description of ASAP Team roles and a summary of Institutional and Core
Leadership eligibility criteria, please see the corresponding ASAP CRN 2025 Team
Application & Budget Guidelines document.
To ensure open access to the tools developed within this program, the Technical
Track has the unique requirement of a Core/Repository Co-Investigator. This
Core/Repository Co-Investigator must be a representative from a commercial
repository or academic core that has existing infrastructure, ability, and
commitment to licensing and commercializing the resulting models/reagents
generated within the program according to the following principles:

• Available to non-profit and for-profit researchers at commercially

reasonable prices

• No additional licensing requirements for for-profit researcher access
• Global distribution
• Reagents/models easily findable on repository/core website with simple

request/order processes (online click-to-order commercial platforms
Funding Available
Applicant teams may request funds up to $2 million USD total costs per year to
support up to a three-year research plan, for a total of up to $6 million USD
in total costs. Total costs are inclusive of a maximum 15% indirect cost rate for all
entities. Final funding will be determined based on the submission and review of
an invited full proposal and budget detailing rationale, key project milestones, and
timeline for completion of project goals.
MAY 5, 2025 LOI deadline (6 PM ET)
WEEK OF JULY 7, 2025 Notification of invitation to submit full proposals

Grant Terms
● Use of Funds – Funds may be used for scientific and technical
personnel, supplies and standard equipment needs directly related to the
successful execution of the proposed scope or work. However, funds may
not be used for laboratory or facility renovation.
● Carryover Funding – Unused research funds may be carried over to the
following year. If unused funds amount to ≥ 5% of the total award amount
for any project year, a budget reallocation request must be submitted and
approved before funds are permitted to be carried over. A one-time
request for no-cost extension (NCE) will be considered at the end of the
project period.
● Reporting Requirements – ASAP-supported research programs require
scheduled updates on progress and outcomes throughout the grant
duration. Progress reports are due annually or at other times as deemed
necessary by ASAP and MJFF for project evaluation. Progress report
forms will be provided by MJFF approximately two months before they are
due. Investigators may also be asked to interact regularly with ASAP
and/or MJFF staff and advisors to discuss elements of the project on an
ongoing basis throughout the project duration.
● Intellectual Property – ASAP will not retain any rights to funded
projects, other than the right to publicly discuss any data, published
results, and intellectual property that result from the research.
● Open Science − All Teams must comply with the ASAP Open Science
Policy outlined below. This policy is non-negotiable.
ASAP Open Science Policy
The ASAP Open Science Policy is divided into five (5) main requirements:

1. Share research outputs. Data, code, and protocols generated as part of an ASAP-funded

study must be deposited in a discipline-specific, community-recognized repository by the
time of publication, with information to facilitate reuse and a license that allows for reuse.
Key lab materials generated as part of an ASAP-funded study must be registered by the
time of publication.

1. Identify research inputs. Data, software, protocols, and key lab materials used in a

study–but which were not generated as part of an ASAP-funded study–must be
unambiguously identified in the study’s publication.

1. Ensure immediate open access. Preprints must be posted no later than the date a

manuscript is submitted to a journal. Preprints and publications must be immediately
publicly available with a CC-BY or CC0 license and include an Availability Statement
PAGE 10 OF 15

outlining where all research outputs (Requirement 1) and research inputs (Requirement 2)
can be accessed.

1. Acknowledge ASAP. Manuscripts and other research outputs that were partially or fully

funded by ASAP must acknowledge ASAP. Manuscripts must include an ORCID and
ASAP affiliation for all authors who received funding from ASAP.

1. Share outputs with the ASAP network. All ASAP-funded research outputs, including

manuscripts, must be shared on the ASAP grantee virtual platform, no later than the time
of publication. Manuscript drafts must be sent to the ASAP Open Science Team no later
than the time of preprint.
For more details, please go to https://parkinsonsroadmap.org/open-science-policy/
Cost Policy
Please see the ASAP CRN 2025 Team, Application, and Budget Guidelines for
more information regarding subawards, indirect costs, and allowable costs vs.
unallowable costs.
Application Process
There are two stages for this funding opportunity: (1) Letter of Intent (LOI), and
(2) full proposal.
Following evaluation,
Invited full
Awardees will be notified of final
funding decisions in February 2026.
All applications must be completed and submitted through MJFF online portal at
https://grants.michaeljfox.org/s_Login.jsp. We strongly recommend that applicants
familiarize themselves with the online portal in advance of any deadlines. No
exceptions will be made for technical or institutional difficulties in preparation or
submission. For detailed application instructions, please visit the online portal for
more information.
As a reminder, CAS and MJFF are partnering to implement this ASAP RFA. As
such, applicants may hear from CAS or MJFF with follow-up needs or questions
pertaining to their submissions.

LOI Instructions
A brief letter of intent is required for funding consideration (no more than five [5]
pages). Applicants must use the template available on the online portal. In
addition to the five-page template, applicants must follow each tab within the
online portal and fill in the designated areas. Note: no budget is collected at this
stage. The LOI consists of the following sections:

1. Project Description

● Project summary (100 words maximum)
● Scientific goals and strategy that highlight the (1) Tool Generation, (2) Tool
Validation, and (3) Tool Distribution approach for the targets selected (1000 words
maximum)
● Statement of impact and alignment with ASAP Initiative goals (500 words
maximum)

1. Team Summary

● List of Team investigators
● Description of each investigator’s role on the project (100
words maximum per investigator)
● Description of the collective expertise and resources that the
investigators bring to the Team
● Collaboration history of each investigator, including reference to
past intra-Team collaboration where relevant (review the LOI
template for specific parameters)
● Historical adherence to open science practices (review the LOI
template for specific parameters)

1. Letter of commitment signed by each investigator.
2. Institution Letter of Acknowledgement and Agreement signed by an authorized

representative of the Technology Transfer and/or other necessary department from
each investigator institution.
Full Proposal Instructions
Full proposal submissions are by invitation only based on the outcome of
LOI review. A weblink and additional instructions for online submission will be
provided to selected applicants during the week of July 7, 2025. Full proposals

LOI Checklist
For a more detailed description of ASAP Team roles and a summary of Institutional and Core
Leadership eligibility criteria, please see the corresponding ASAP CRN 2025 Team Application &
Budget Guidelines document. Below we have summarized key eligibility criteria for the LOI stage
for your convenience:

• ❑ The Core Leadership of the proposed team consists of one (1)
• Coordinating Lead PI, one (1) Core/Repository Co-Investigator, and an
• optional one (1) to three (3) additional Core Leadership Co-Investigators.
• ❑ The Core Leadership of the proposed team are employed at one Primary
• Institution (Coordinating Lead PI) and one Secondary Institution
• (Core/Repository Co-Investigator), with up to three (3) subawardee
• institutions.
• ❑ The Core/Repository Co-Investigator shall be responsible for making the
• resulting research tools and models available to the research community at

large. Their Institution must have an established history of commercializing
preclinical reagents/models through global distribution channels, with
accessibility to non-profit and for-profit researchers. See Team Composition
section for more information.
❑ The overall team represents at least two (2) different scientific disciplines.
❑ Members of the Core Leadership hold a doctorate, such as a PhD, MD, or
equivalent degree. The exception may be the Core/Repository
Co-Investigator but this individual must be authorized to act on behalf of
their Institution within this program.
❑ The Coordinating Lead PI holds an academic appointment and is in an
independent faculty position or equivalent. Applicants from the private
sector must hold a Senior Scientist position or equivalent.
❑ All Core Leadership Co-Investigators are in an independent faculty position
or equivalent. Applicants from the private sector must hold a Senior
Scientist position or equivalent.
Review and Selection Process
ASAP will evaluate all applications for both scientific merit and alignment with
ASAP’s mission. All projects will be externally reviewed by a panel of experts who
are familiar with our program goals and have deep expertise in our program’s
scientific focus areas. Final decisions will be made by ASAP staff and Executive
Leadership in consultation with external advisors. There is no expectation that a
set number of awards will be granted; selection of awardees will be based on the
following criteria:

• ● Quality of the proposal, expertise, and capacity of the collaborative group

for addressing the proposed project. There should be evidence of
synergy and substantive contributions from all assembled members of the
research team – i.e., not simply a collection of individual projects.
● Potential impact of the preclinical research tools being developed in the application.
PAGE 13 OF 15

● Degree to which the proposed work brings in new ideas to the field and stimulates
potential new avenues of investigation.
● Diversity of the proposed scientific team.
● Demonstrated collaborative potential of the proposed Team as
evidenced by co- authorships, past collaborations among at least two (2)
members of the Team, as well as relevant contributions to other successful
research collaborations in the recent past.
● Distribution capabilities of the Core/Repository Co-Investigator to make
the resulting preclinical reagents/models broadly available to the research
community through global distribution channels with quick processing
times.
● Commitment to open science and active research community engagement. These
values may be demonstrated through service on committees and editorial boards, past
history of open science practices (including but not limited to sharing of research outputs
such as data, code, protocols, lab materials, etc, publication of open access articles, and
use of preprint servers)
● Leadership capacity of the Coordinating Lead PI. This investigator’s
vision, leadership qualities, willingness to collaborate, and demonstrated
ability to bring together and lead a multidisciplinary team of experts to a
successful conclusion will be a critical factor.
Confidentiality
The review process will be performed under confidentiality among all parties
laws. All LOIs received in response to this ASAP RFA will be subjected to review
and only applicants whose LOIs are determined to best fit the criteria specified in
the RFA will be invited to submit full applications. In order to expedite the LOI
review process, written critiques will not be provided to applicants who are not
invited to the full application stage.
Successfully funded proposals will be made publicly available and/or shared
across the ASAP Collaborative Research Network and/or or with other grantees or
collaborators. Lay project summaries will be publicly communicated on ASAP
and/or MJFF websites. Unfunded proposals submitted to ASAP will remain
confidential. Application materials will not be returned to applicants.
Contact
Inquiries concerning this funding opportunity are encouraged to avoid
submission complications. For administrative and programmatic inquiries, please
PAGE 14 OF 15

contact grants@parkinsonsroadmap.org.
advance of the deadline.

Request for Applications Overview
The ASAP Collaborative Research Network
CRN 2025 RFA | Technical Track
PAGE 1 OF 15

Table of Contents
Opportunity.....................................................................................................................................3
Background.....................................................................................................................................3
The ASAP Initiative...............................................................................................................3
Goals of the ASAP Collaborative Research Network...........................................................3
Award Overview..............................................................................................................................4
Research Focus and Scope................................................................................................4
Eligible Targets for Tool Generation....................................................................................4
Table 1. List of Target Candidates for the ASAP Technical Track.......................................5
Target Selection...................................................................................................................6
In Scope vs Out of Scope....................................................................................................6
Team Composition...............................................................................................................8
Funding Available................................................................................................................9
Key Dates............................................................................................................................9
Grant Terms and Policies...............................................................................................................9
Grant Terms..........................................................................................................................9
ASAP Open Science Policy................................................................................................10
Cost Policy..........................................................................................................................11
Application Process.....................................................................................................................11
LOI Instructions...................................................................................................................11
Full Proposal Instructions................................................................................................... 12
LOI Checklist.................................................................................................................................12
Review and Selection Process....................................................................................................13
Confidentiality...............................................................................................................................14
Contact..........................................................................................................................................14
PAGE 2 OF 15

Opportunity
The Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Initiative invites applications
from collaborative teams to join the ASAP Collaborative Research Network
(CRN), an international, multidisciplinary, multi-institutional network of research
teams working to address high-priority research questions in an effort to advance
our understanding of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and drive new ideas into the R&D
pipeline. For this cycle, applications within the Technical Track that focus
on the development of novel tools that can be reliably produced and
shared with the research community to accelerate validation and
therapeutic R&D for emerging targets identified from ASAP discoveries will
be considered (please see the Award Overview section for list of targets).
Background
The ASAP Initiative
ASAP is a Parkinson’s disease-focused, global initiative that aims to address key
knowledge gaps in PD research to reinvigorate the PD research pipeline.