MGFA High Impact Pilot Project Award Grant

The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) invites innovative proposals for the High Impact Pilot Project Award, aimed at enhancing myasthenia gravis research. This funding supports clinical studies that improve patient outcomes and treatment practices, with a total of $110,000 available over two years. Researchers are encouraged to align their work with MGFA’s research priorities, focusing on biomarkers, disease mechanisms, and therapeutic strategies, while also considering proposals outside these areas.

Our Vision: A World Without MG
Clinician and scientist investigators are engaged in groundbreaking myasthenia research all over the world. MGFA funds promising research studies and clinical trials to discover potential new treatments and methods of living a better quality of life with MG.
The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) requests submission of proposals to support high-impact clinical research and scientific pilot studies that are focused and innovative. High-impact clinical research proposals should focus on patient outcome measurements or advancements in clinical or research practices which improve present treatment paradigms. Scientific pilot projects will require a clear plan that will lead to new federal, pharmaceutical, or private foundation supported investigations, as well as a clear plan of how success will be assessed. The proposal should be within the scope of the MGFA’s research agenda.
Research Priorities
MGFA is committed to supporting research that will ultimately improve the lives of patients with myasthenia gravis and related neuromuscular junction disorders. The research committee has identified five broad research priorities of unmet need in the field:
Biomarkers Early diagnosis Predictors of clinical outcome Predictors of response to immunosuppressive therapy Biomarkers for use in clinical trials Mechanisms of disease Basic mechanisms of disease How loss of self-tolerance is sustained throughout the disease course Therapeutic strategies Development of new therapeutic targets Targeted therapies that prevent widespread immunosuppression and off-target side effects Optimizing treatment strategies with existing therapies Improving patient outcomes The patient perspective on their disease, its impact on their daily life, and treatment considerations that are most important to them Collateral effects of MG and its treatment, such as associated medical conditions, treatment-related side effects, and financial considerationsPediatric treatment strategies, safety concerns, and long-term outcome
Though this research agenda is intended to guide researchers towards topics that are important to the MGFA, the research committee will accept proposals outside of these priority areas and is committed to supporting the best science.
Funding
MGFA will fund highly meritorious projects with a maximum of $110,000, over two years, of which no more than $10,000 may be allocated to indirect costs. Funds will be expended over two years from the time of the award. Special funding requests and/or changes to the award period must be approved prior to submission of proposal through the Letter of Intent.

Eligibility

The RFA is open to established and new investigators. Applications in all areas of MG research will be accepted from U.S. and international principal investigators with faculty status.

Ineligibility

Applications are not open to for-profit or small business submissions.