MDA Research Grants (Investigator-Initiated)

Geographic Scope: Worldwide (16 countries)

Program Description

MDA's primary research grant program funds investigator-initiated research in basic, translational, and clinical research across more than 40 neuromuscular diseases and ALS.

Focus Areas

• Diseases Supported: Muscular dystrophy, ALS, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, congenital muscular dystrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, Friedreich's ataxia, spinal muscular atrophy, mitochondrial myopathies, myotonic dystrophy, and others
• Research Types: Basic discovery research, translational research, clinical research (with emphasis on clinical and therapy development in recent years)
• Priority Areas: Therapy development, drug discovery, clinical trials, understanding disease mechanisms

Recent Award Examples (2015 round: $10 million)

• Understanding and developing therapies for ALS (~$2.2 million of total)
• Validating new drug targets for Duchenne muscular dystrophy
• Exploring new targets for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy
• Expanding therapeutic possibilities in Friedreich's ataxia
• Studying disease mechanisms and treatments in congenital muscular dystrophy
• Testing new therapeutic strategies in spinal muscular atrophy

Award Statistics

• 2015: $10 million awarded to 36 researchers (350 applications received)
• 2014: $3.6 million (first year) / $10.7 million (over three years) for 38 grants
• Funding duration: 2-3 years depending on grant

Eligibility

• Scientists and researchers worldwide conducting neuromuscular disease research
• Academic institutions, research centers, and medical schools
• Both new and established researchers

Peer Review Process

• Medical and Scientific Advisory Committees: ~40 leading clinicians and scientists serve as volunteers
• Board of Directors Review: Final approval by MDA's Board
• Peer-reviewed, competitive process

Strategic Priorities

• Increasing investment in translational and clinical research
• Seeking to double the number of promising human clinical trials within five years
• Proactive requests for proposals in identified gaps
• Co-funding grants with other organizations (government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, other nonprofits)
• Supporting both discovery and therapy development

Contact Information

• Phone: 800-572-1717
• Email: ResourceCenter@mdausa.org
• Address: MDA, 1016 W Jackson Blvd #1073, Chicago, IL 60607
• Website: mda.org

Application Process

Application Type: Investigator-initiated (researchers submit proposals)

Process:

1. Researchers develop research proposals for neuromuscular disease research
2. Submit applications through MDA's grant submission process
3. Applications reviewed by MDA's Medical and Scientific Advisory Committees
4. Committees make recommendations based on peer review
5. MDA Board of Directors approves funding awards
6. Funding begins upon approval

Peer Review: Volunteer committees of leading clinicians and scientists conduct peer-reviewed evaluation

Frequency: Ongoing; announcements of funding rounds made periodically

Contact for Application Details:

• Phone: 800-572-1717
• Email: ResourceCenter@mdausa.org
• Website: mda.org (Research > Funding Opportunities)

Note: Specific application materials, deadlines, and submission formats should be confirmed on MDA's "Funding Opportunities" page for researchers.