KIF1A.ORG Mini Grants

KIF1A.ORG Mini Grants

Focus Area: KIF1A-associated neurological disorder (KAND) research

Overview: Small roadblocks should never halt therapeutic discovery. KIF1A.ORG created this mini grant initiative to support smaller direct project expenses that can accelerate the pathway to treatments for KAND.

Program Details

• Launched: 2021
• Total Initiative Pool: $15,000 USD (2021 inaugural year)
• Per-Grant Award: Up to $5,000 USD
• Purpose: Support KIF1A-focused research projects that advance therapeutic discovery and remove roadblocks in KAND research

Eligibility

• Researchers with KIF1A-focused projects
• Members of KIF1A Research Network
• Projects that advance KIF1A.ORG's mission of accelerating research to find a cure for KAND

Past Recipients (2021)

• Dr. Michael Silverman (Simon Fraser University, Canada) - Characterizing microtubule-based cargo transport in KAND patient-derived induced neurons
• Dr. Jayne Aiken (University of Pennsylvania, US) - Dissecting the cellular consequences of distinct classes of KIF1A mutants
• Dr. Kumiko Hayashi (Tohoku University, Japan) - Non-invasive force measurement method applied to axonal transport by KIF1A in human iPSC derived neurons

Contact

• Email: impact@kif1a.org
• Chief Science Officer: Dr. Dominique Lessard (dvlessard@kif1a.org)
• Therapeutic Development Associate: Michelle Tao (michelle@kif1a.org)

Background

KIF1A.ORG was established in 2017 as a global community dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by KAND and accelerating research to find a cure. The organization maintains a growing Research Network of over 120 scientists, clinicians, and biotech leaders.