Dravet Syndrome Foundation: Transformational Science Grants

The Dravet Syndrome Foundation offers Transformational Science Grants to support innovative research aimed at understanding and treating Dravet syndrome. These grants, totaling $500,000 over three years, are designed for experienced investigators with strong preliminary data. Projects should focus on priority areas such as epileptogenesis mechanisms, novel treatment development, and improving patient outcomes. Applicants must be independent researchers affiliated with recognized institutions, ensuring efforts align with the foundation's mission for better treatments and a cure.

Transformational Science Grant Awards are the largest grants awarded by DSF. Transformational Science Grants are intended for established, experienced, independent investigators affiliated with a research or academic institution whose proposed projects investigate hypotheses directly related to Dravet syndrome. Transformational Science Grants should have substantial preliminary data to support the stated hypothesis and strong potential to significantly impact the research field or move the needle on clinical care. Proposals are scored according to NIH guidelines based on the quality of preliminary data, research design, feasibility, investigator’s qualifications, and overall impact. Grants are awarded for $500,000 over 3 years (beginning January 1 of each year). Indirect costs must be included within the $500,00 budget and are not to exceed 10% of the total award.
Investigators applying for a DSF grant should ensure their proposed project addresses the needs of the Dravet syndrome community and DSF’s mission to support research toward better treatments and a cure for Dravet syndrome. Proposals should address research areas related to the yearly Priority Areas detailed below and DSF’s Roadmap to a Cure.
Grant Awardees are required to give written annual updates on their work throughout the grant cycle and present their findings at our Research Roundtable meeting upon completion of the project.
Basic and Translational Priority Areas include:
Understanding the mechanisms of epileptogenesis in Dravet syndromeDevelopment of enhanced models to study Dravet syndromeUnderstanding of the cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms that contribute to the pathogenesis of Dravet syndromeRevealing causes and interventions for seizures and comorbidities in Dravet syndromeUnderstanding causes and developing interventions for SUDEPDevelopment of novel treatments and interventions that will prevent the onset or halt the progression of Dravet syndrome; this includes research that may overcome the current size and delivery hurdles for gene-therapy approaches
Clinical Priority Areas include:
Research that helps better characterize the natural history of Dravet syndrome across the patient lifetime, including identifying patient trends, characteristics, epidemiology, or other clinical aspects of Dravet syndrome and/or its comorbiditiesResearch that develops or refines outcome measurements that can fully reflect meaningful improvements in patient symptoms and quality of lifeResearch that helps to understand, predict, and prevent SUDEPResearch that will encourage the development of novel therapies to prevent onset or halt the progression of the Dravet syndrome

Eligibility

MD, PhD, DO, or equivalent degreeIndependent investigator affiliated with an academic or research institutionFaculty appointment or offer letter and department/institution commitment of resources and spaceUS citizenship not requiredMay be US or foreign based,Must be established in their field and in good standing with their institution

Ineligibility

Awards are not given to private companies.