Project 8p Research Grant Program

Geographic Scope: International

Mission: Raise transformative funding for pioneering scientific research into treatments for chromosome 8p disorders and related neurodevelopmental chromosome disorders or aneuploidy.

Focus Areas

• Research on chromosome 8p rearrangements affecting 250+ genes on the short arm of the 8th chromosome
• Identification of therapeutic targets and driver genes
• Development of functional assays for important phenotypes and symptoms
• Treatment development and prevention strategies
• Understanding how 8p manifests into adulthood
• Translational research with clinical action potential

Research Roadmap Priorities

Project 8p's Research Roadmap guides funding to address critical knowledge gaps and advance discovery in 8p disorders and related neurodevelopmental chromosome disorders.

What They Fund

• Direct costs including salaries for program staff, travel expenses, materials, and consultants required to execute the grant
• Research utilizing Project 8p's resources: biospecimens, cell lines, animal models, and de-identified data
• Team science and collaborative partnerships

What They Do NOT Fund

• Indirect costs: Project 8p will not fund overhead and administration expenses (rent, utilities, office furniture, computers, development, finance, accounting, IT, HR, legal). Institutions must absorb indirect costs. Exception discussions possible prior to proposal submission.

Eligibility & Review Criteria

The committee reviews proposals considering:

• Relevance to 8p: Research focuses on issues important to people with chromosome 8p or related disorders
• Scientific rigor: Research is scientifically rigorous
• Feasibility: New data collection is feasible (for proposals involving additional data from Chromosome 8p Registry)
• Impact: Research has potential to definitively answer an important question
• Transparency: Willingness to publish and share findings with broader scientific community
• For biospecimens: Ability to successfully complete material transfer agreement (MTA). Type and quantity of samples available may determine transfer eligibility.

Review Process

• Expert review panel makes final grant decisions
• Committee recognizes some criteria may not apply to all proposals
• Programs foster outstanding science across disciplines, fields, and career stages

Application Types

Project 8p accepts:

1. Unsolicited Letters of Intent (LOI) - Accepted on rolling basis
2. Request for Proposals (RFP) - Publicly posted general RFP providing detail on areas of interest, timelines for review and approval

Resources Available to Awardees

• Phenotypic Data: De-identified data available in encrypted secure portal for approved researchers
• Biorepository: Diverse collection of PBMCs, plasma, DNA, RNA, fibroblasts, and iPSCs
• Cell Lines: iPSC lines available
• Data Portal: Researchers can explore, curate data, execute research individually and collaboratively; cohort analysis available by phenotype/genotype
• Data Sources: Patient-reported surveys, validated standardized surveys, EMR records, clinician-reported data, researcher-reported data including raw datasets (RNAseq), HPO and OMIM mapped genes

Commitment to Open Science

Project 8p is committed to:

• Sharing biospecimens, cell lines, animal models, and de-identified data
• Data sharing for expedited translation of research results into knowledge, products, and procedures
• Open science promoting greater sharing of information, data, and materials
• Making registry data and biorepository samples available to approved researchers, potentially for commercial use

Contact Information

Principal Investigator (Registry & Biorepository): Bina Shah, bina@project8p.org

Engagement Contact: engagement@project8p.org, 929-269-6801

Address: Project 8p Foundation, 787 Seventh Avenue – 31st Floor, New York, NY 10019

Organization Type: Registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization, EIN 83-2545342

Letters of Intent (LOI) Process

1. Submit an unsolicited LOI (submission method not specified in materials)
2. Upon LOI review, Project 8p will provide full Application Instructions

Formal Application Process (After LOI Approval)

Once an LOI is considered favorably, applicants receive full instructions for submitting a complete application.

For Biospecimens & Registry Data Access

1. Initial Contact: Email Bina Shah at bina@project8p.org to request complete set of instructions and procedures
2. Concept Discussion: Project 8p will discuss your research concept and review available resources and procedures
3. Proposal Development & Submission: Investigator develops and submits:
   • Title
   • Abstract
   • Research proposal
   • Note: Electronic submission form will be available in the future
4. IRB Documentation: Submit IRB approval or exemption document from your institution
5. Data Use Agreement: Execute a Data Use Agreement with Project 8p Foundation describing your role of engagement and adherence to rules monitored by Project 8p
6. Committee Review: Project 8p Foundation's Review Committee approves proposal based on review criteria:
   • Scientific merit
   • Quality of investigative team
   • Data protection and privacy
   • Capacity to complete proposed studies
7. Feedback & Revision Opportunity: Based on Committee decision, investigators may have opportunity to revise initial proposal with feedback
8. Final Approval: Appropriate Project 8p committee provides final approval

Cost Considerations

• There may be costs associated with distributing specimens from the biorepository to interested researchers
• Any fees will be determined on an individual basis
• Revenue generated from samples will be utilized to fund objectives associated with the Chromosome 8p Registry and Biorepository

Contact for Applications

LOI & Funding Questions: info@project8p.org

Registry & Biorepository Access: bina@project8p.org

Engagement & Community Research: engagement@project8p.org