RFP: Accelerating Drug Discovery For Frontotemporal Degeneration Grant

RFP: Accelerating Drug Discovery For Frontotemporal Degeneration Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Alzheimers Drug Discovery Foundation
Amount: US $300,000 - US $350,000
Last Updated: February 20, 2026

Summary

The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) seeks innovative proposals to accelerate drug development for frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a condition lacking FDA-approved treatments. The RFP encourages research into small molecules and biologics targeting key mechanisms behind FTD. With an average award of $300,000-$350,000 for a one-year duration, the initiative prioritizes lead optimization and in vivo testing of promising compounds. Collaborations with academic institutions and biotech firms are encouraged to enhance the potential for impactful therapeutic solutions.

Overview

RFP: Accelerating Drug Discovery For Frontotemporal Degeneration There are currently no FDA approved disease-modifying treatments available for frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and symptomatic treatments only provide limited benefit for patients. Recent scientific advances have provided an increased understanding of pathogenic mechanisms underlying FTD and are driving the development of potential disease-modifying therapies. The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) and The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) seek to accelerate this progress by supporting innovative small molecule and biologic (antibodies, oligonucleotides, peptides, gene therapy etc.) drug development programs for FTD through this request for proposals (RFP). Average Duration: 1 year One year with potential for follow-on funding.Average Award: $300,000-$350,000. Funding Priorities The RFP supports Lead optimization of novel disease-modifying compounds, including medicinal chemistry refinement and in vitro ADME.In vivo testing of novel lead compounds, biologics, vaccines, or repurposed drug candidates in relevant animal models for pharmacokinetics, dose-range finding, target engagement, in vivo efficacy, and/or preliminary rodent tolerability studies. This RFP does NOT support target identification, target validation, assay development, high-throughput and high-content screening. IND-enabling work is supported through ADDF’s Drug Development RFP. Drug Targets Current target areas of interest include, but are not limited to: Autophagy Epigenetics Genetic Causes of Disease (C9ORF72, MAPT, GRN, etc.) Inflammation Misfolded proteins (TDP-43, tau, FUS etc.) Mitochondria & Metabolic Function Neuroprotection Proteostasis RNA metabolism and splicing Stress granule formation and liquid-liquid phase separation Synaptic Activity & Neurotransmitters Other novel targets or pathways that are supported by compelling evidence that demonstrate a rational biological connection to FTD are encouraged.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Academic medical centers and universities or nonprofits.Biotechnology companies that demonstrate a clear need for nonprofit funding. Existing companies and new spinouts are both eligible.