In-Cycle Research Grant- Francis X. McCormack, MD, Career Development Award

Overview

_NOTE:_

* _The first step in the process of a grant application to The LAM Foundation is to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI). The submission of an LOI is required for each grant category. Applicants must create a profile and be logged in to ProposalCentral to access The LAM Foundation’s LOI Form._
* _If your LOI is approved, The LAM Foundation will invite you to submit a full grant application._

Our Mission

The LAM Foundation urgently seeks safe and effective treatments, and ultimately a cure, for lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) through advocacy and the funding of promising research. We are dedicated to serving the scientific, medical, and patient communities by offering information, resources, and a worldwide network of hope and support.

LAM is a rare and progressive lung disease that primarily affects women and has no known cure. Founded in 1995 as a grassroots effort, The LAM Foundation is the global leader in the fight against LAM. It has evolved into an organization that is described by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) as “a model for voluntary health agencies.”

The LAM Foundation provides support and education for women with LAM and their families, engages doctors and scientists to continue to learn more about the disease, and raises funds for continued research. In May 2015, the FDA approved Rapamune as the first effective treatment for LAM, based on research and patient engagement supported by The LAM Foundation.

Francis X. McCormack, MD, Career Development Award

In 2021, The LAM Foundation Board of Directors decided to rename the Career Development Award (CDA) in honor of Dr. Francis X. McCormack’s contributions to the field of LAM research. Dr. McCormack, the founding Scientific Director of The LAM Foundation, has dedicated nearly three decades to serving the LAM community. He spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives in LAM, such as the development of a blood-based biomarker for disease diagnosis, an FDA-approved treatment, and clinical practice guidelines. Dr. McCormack continues to be renowned for nurturing young investigators and prioritizing the needs of LAM patients in all endeavors. His commitment to empowering the next generation of researchers has inspired many. The purpose of this award is to cultivate future leaders in LAM research, echoing Dr. McCormack’s lifelong dedication. Recipients of this award carry forward Dr. McCormack’s legacy by demonstrating an unwavering commitment to advancing LAM research.

This grant aims to provide support for both postdoctoral research fellows and junior faculty who intend to pursue a career in LAM research. Applicants must indicate a commitment to LAM-related research by focusing 50% of their time on LAM in research or clinical practice. More than 50% of the funds must be used for the PI’s salary support. The balance of the funds may be used for research salaries, fringe benefits, supplies, or animal costs.

Funding

Funding Level: A maximum of $60,000 per year may be requested.

Period

* Up to 3 years of support is available.
* Any funds remaining at the end of each year must be returned to the Foundation unless outlined in your originally submitted project budget or given prior approval.
* Payments for years two and three are contingent upon the availability of research funds, submission of respective progress reports, and report of expenditures satisfactory to the The LAM Foundation grant’s office.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

* To be eligible for the FXM CDA Grant, an applicant must:

Hold an M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent degrees
* Be qualified to conduct a program of original research under the supervision of an experienced LAM investigator (for postdoctoral applicants) or independently (for junior faculty).
* Have an acceptable research plan for LAM
* Have access to institutional resources necessary to conduct the proposed research project
* Postdoctoral fellows must be no more than 5 years from receiving their terminal research degree or end of post-graduate clinical training at the time of application.
* Junior faculty investigators must be less than 5 years in a faculty position
* Not have been funded under a The LAM Foundation Career Development Grant in the past.
* An applicant may resubmit their original application with one revision.
* However, an applicant who is resubmitting an application must remain within the timeframe of eligibility.

Ineligibility

* No overhead or indirect costs are provided.