RFP Funding Cycle 1

Mission: To accelerate the development of effective treatments for FOXP1 Syndrome

Focus Areas

• Novel aspects of FOXP1 function supporting identification/characterization of drug targets
• Therapeutic candidates
• FOXP1 biology (including genes that regulate or are regulated by FOXP1)
• Neurodevelopmental outcomes suitable for intervention by future therapeutics
• Both basic and translational research encouraged

Eligibility

• Investigator Status: Applicants must hold PI status at a university/institution or organization with 501(c)(3) status
• Education: MD, PhD, or MD/PhD required. Master's degree in life sciences acceptable if applicant is in full-time academic position
• Career Stage: Open to all stages of investigators post-graduate degree
• Geographic Scope: Applicants working in all countries welcome to apply
• Co-PIs: Allowed

Funding Details

• Maximum Award: $75,000 (including indirect costs) for first year
• Indirect Costs: 10% of direct costs
• Duration: Typically 1 year initial award
• Multi-Year Options: PIs may request continuation in following cycles. Funding contingent on adequate first-year progress. Exceptions to 1-year duration and $75K cap may be granted for projects with strong justification or profound impact. Multi-year projects must conclude within 3 years of start date.
• Extensions: No-cost extensions available for up to 1 year if no additional funds required
• Combined Funding: Proposals combining IFF funding with other sources welcome
• Preference: Given to projects adhering to 1-year timeframe and demonstrating efficient use of funding

Resources Available

• RARE-X Data Collection Site: Over 200 patient records available; researchers may request access regardless of RFP submission at: https://forms.monday.com/forms/02fc5ad2b4b1a75e1d3520b913d73ecb

Contact Information

• Research Inquiries: research@foxp1.org
• Main Contact: Info@foxp1.org
• Address: International FOXP1 Foundation, P.O. Box 846, Mendenhall, PA 19357 USA
• EIN: 85-4079051

Timeline (Cycle 1 - Completed)

• RFP Released: Monday, April 1, 2024
• Invitations to Submit Full Proposals: Tuesday, September 24, 2024
• Award Announcement: January 2025

Stage 1: Letter of Intent (Deadline: September 13, 2024)

1. Format: Scientific abstract in PDF format
2. Length: ≤250 words
3. Content: Describe the proposed project
4. Submission: Email as combined PDF attachment to research@foxp1.org and CC sdasgupta@foxp1.org
5. Subject Line: "Letter of Intent–PI Full Name–Cycle 1"
6. Timing: Early submission prior to deadline highly encouraged
7. Notification: PIs notified by September 24, 2024 whether selected to submit full proposal

Stage 2: Full Application (Deadline: November 1, 2024)

Submission Instructions:

• All components as combined PDF email attachment to research@foxp1.org and CC sdasgupta@foxp1.org
• Subject line: "Proposal Submission–PI Full Name–Cycle 1"
• Use NIH formatting guidelines (font and line spacing per https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide/format-and-write/format-attachments.htm)
• Organize components in order listed below

Required Components:

1. Project Title
2. Lay Abstract (≤250 words)
   • Written for general/layperson audience
3. Scientific Abstract (≤250 words)
   • May be same as letter of intent or include minor updates
4. Specific Aims (≤1 page)
5. Research Strategy (≤3 pages, not including references)
   • Should include:
   • Background/significance
   • Innovation
   • Research approach including rationale
   • Preliminary data (if applicable)
   • Methods
   • Analysis plan
   • Anticipated results/potential pitfalls/alternative approaches
   • References do not count towards page limit
   • All graphs/charts must fit within 3-page limit
6. Description of Translational Potential (≤1 page)
   • Explain why proposal is important for specific path toward FOXP1 Syndrome treatment development
   • Write to be understandable by both scientific and layperson audiences
7. Data Management and Sharing Plan
   • Option A: Complete NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/data-management-and-sharing-plan-format-page)
   • Option B: Provide summary (≤1 page) explaining:
   • Data management and sharing plan
   • How results will be released upon project completion (publication, website article, etc.)
   • Plan for sharing data and other products with researchers
   • Requirement: Applicants agree to deliver 1-hour live Zoom presentation to IFF describing project results following study completion
8. Budget
   • Exact budget allocations as line items
9. Budget Justification
   • Short descriptions explaining each budget line item
10. Curriculum Vitae or NIH-Format Biosketch
    • PI and any Co-PIs
    • ≤5 pages

Review Process

Evaluation Criteria:

• Impact to forward Foundation's research mission: accelerating development of effective treatments for FOXP1 Syndrome
• Investigator background and track record, and likelihood of proposal success
• Feasibility of experimental strategy and/or novelty of research question(s), including likelihood of meeting project goals within stated timeframe
• Potential for proposed project to make important strides towards eventual therapeutic strategy
• Budget appropriateness and effective use of Foundation funds

Review Timeline:

• Proposals sent to external reviewers
• External reviewers evaluate using criteria above
• Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Board make final funding decisions
• Successful applicants notified by end of January 2025
• Unsuccessful applicants receive anonymous summary of reviews

Consent

By submitting LOI and application, applicant provides IFF permission to provide materials to external reviewers, Board, and Scientific Advisory Board for evaluation purposes.