Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) Research Fund Grant

The Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) Research Fund Grant, established by the Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation, aims to enhance research and treatment of MDS and related blood disorders. This fund supports innovative projects addressing etiology, biology, genetics, prognosis, treatment, symptom management, and quality of life. It offers up to $125,000 for Early Career Awards and $250,000 for Established Investigator Awards, facilitating significant advancements in the field.

Fund Description
To advance the understanding and treatment of Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) and related blood disorders (such as MDS/myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) overlap syndromes, secondary acute myeloid leukemia following MDS, idiopathic cytopenia of undetermined significance (ICUS), or clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP)), the foundation established the MDS Research Fund (MDSRF). This fund continues the work that Joseph Dresner initiated with his seminal gift to establish the Joseph Dresner Family Clinic for Hematologic Malignancies & Stem Cell Transplantation at the Karmanos Cancer Institute. The fund will expand the foundation’s investments in support of cutting-edge MDS research and related programs that will lead to the future standards of care and ultimately cure.
Purpose and Focus
The fund will facilitate the advancement of innovative basic science, translational or clinical research.
Proposals should address one or more of the following areas within MDS or related conditions:
Etiology (including epidemiology, exposures, and/or genetic predisposition)BiologyGenetics/genomicsPrognosisTreatmentSymptom managementQuality of life/Patient reported outcomesSurvivorship
Type of Support
Well-developed research projects that will produce definitive findings about the biology, translational, or clinical aspects of MDS and related disorders and (for Early Career Awards) will lead to subsequent, higher-level funding.
Early Career Awards will provide funding of up to $125,000 per year for two years.
Established Investigator Awards will provide funding of up to $250,000 per year for two years.

Eligibility

An Institution mustBe recognized as tax-exempt under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code based in the United States and not a private foundation
Be a university, college, hospital, or laboratoryIn policy and practice does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status.Who is EligibleThe foundation will consider proposals from individuals at university, college, hospital, or laboratory institutions for support of research in MDS or related disorders. The foundation will accept proposals of two types:Early Career AwardsAn eligible investigator is someone who has completed their terminal doctoral degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent) or end of post-graduate clinical training (fellowship), whichever date is later, within the past 10 years and who has not yet secured independent funding in the form of an NIH R01 or equivalent (a single award of $200,000/year or more). Instructor or equivalent positions will not be considered as part of the terminal degree.Established Investigator AwardsEligible investigators who don’t qualify as Early Career investigators, or applicants who have previously received an Early Career Award from the Foundation.

Ineligibility

Please note that current grantees-investigators are not eligible to apply or serve as co-investigators in another application to the Foundation (non-funded advisory roles are allowed).RestrictionsResearch cannot already be partially or fully funded.
Overhead cost (in-directs) may not exceed 15% of direct project costs.
If awarded, investigators must remain at their respective institutions for the first year of the grant period.