The Rory Belle Foundation Research Grant Program

Geographic Scope: Worldwide

Focus Areas: Seed funding for basic, clinical, and translational research on neurological disorders associated with genetic mutations in the NARS1 gene.

Scientific Topics Supported

• Basic understanding of canonical and noncanonical functions of NARS1
• Development and characterization of NARS1 Disorder models including:
  • Patient-derived cell models (iPSCs, neurons, reporter lines)
  • Animal models
  • Other models (yeast, drosophila)
• Identification of biomarkers for NARS1 Disorder using models and patient samples
• Validation of preliminary therapeutic compounds to restore or improve NARS1 function
• Development of novel therapeutic strategies for NARS1 Disorder
• Design and implementation of natural history studies for NARS1 Disorder
• Novel proposals for NARS1 Disorder

Eligibility

• Applicant Types: Tenure-track faculty or equivalent, non-tenure track faculty, postdoctoral (PhD or MD) fellows, and PhD students
• Institution Types: All investigators at established academic and research institutions worldwide
• Special Cases: Researchers at start-up pharmaceutical or biotech companies eligible if they can demonstrate lack of necessary funding
• Postdoctoral fellows and PhD students: Must include a statement of feasibility and letter of support from faculty mentor
• Geographic: Applicants may be from any country
• Collaboration: Multi-institution proposals welcome

Key Requirements

• Data generated must be made accessible to the Foundation (can be embargoed with Data Use Agreement/Material Transfer Agreement)
• Resources generated (cell or animal models) must be made available to other interested researchers and the RBF Biorepository
• Data and results must be submitted for publication in an open access journal within 12 months of grant completion (unless otherwise justified)
• All publications/presentations must acknowledge RBF support and the NARS1 community
• Formal progress reports required every 6 months with Board presentation

Project Duration & Budget

• Duration: 12 months (can vary depending on project and scope)
• Maximum Award: $50,000 total costs per grant
• Indirect Costs: RBF will pay up to 10% of indirect costs if required by institution
• No-cost extensions: Available as necessary

Eligible Costs

• Personnel (excluding PI salary unless justified)
• Consumables and reagents
• Core facility fees
• Patient recruitment and engagement costs
• Travel for project-related activities and conferences (must acknowledge RBF funding)
• Project-related publication fees

Evaluation Criteria

• Experimental design and analytic plan
• Relevance to NARS1 Disorder (expertise in basic research mechanisms or clinical symptoms similar to NARS1)
• Overall impact on NARS1 community (priority given to proposals demonstrating clear impact on treatment/cure development)
• Leveraging existing resources (cell models, rodent models, natural history data) and collaborative partnerships
• Data and Resource Sharing Plan
• Feasibility within announced timeframe

Contact Information

Mailing Address: 8275 E 11th Ave #200621, Denver, CO 80220

Organization Status: Public charity recognized as tax-exempt by the IRS under Section 501(c)(3), EIN: 88-1920584

Application Process

1. Complete the Application Template: Applicants must complete all portions of the application template in the specified order
2. Format Submission: The completed template must be supplied as a single PDF file
3. Submit Application: Send to rachel@therorybellefoundation.org
4. Review Process: Applications will be reviewed by The Rory Belle Foundation Board and Advisors

Key Dates (2025-2026 Cycle)

• Deadline for queries: October 31, 2025
• Submission deadline: December 1, 2025
• Funding decisions announced: January 5, 2026
• Project start: February 2, 2026
• Project completion: February 1, 2027 (unless otherwise indicated)
• Manuscript submission deadline: February 1, 2028

Required Materials

• Completed application template (provided by foundation)
• Statement of feasibility and letter of support from faculty mentor (for postdoctoral fellows and PhD students)
• Data and Resource Sharing Plan
• Budget justification
• Project timeline