Research Grant Applications HD Human Biology Project- HDSA Research Fellowship

HD Human Biology Project

HDSA Research Fellowship

Overview

Despite the identification of the gene responsible for HD 20 years ago, to date, there are no effective treatments available to patients to modify disease progression.  While the identification of the huntingtin gene lead to an incredible number of useful animal models to help us better understand Huntington’s disease (HD) biology, the most physiologically relevant scientific observations that will guide the research community in the hunt for effective therapies for HD will be those that are recorded in HD patients. 

With that said, it is the desire of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) to support this impactful, patient-centric research.  To do so, HDSA will build upon the cornerstone of its care network – the 21 HDSA Centers of Excellence.  As the models of exemplary and comprehensive HD clinical care, these Centers which are spread across the United States are unique to the HD community.  They are a valuable resources to HD patients and families where patients are provided with a multidisciplinary approach to HD care and treatment. 

This new HD Human Biology research initiative will foster innovative research at the HDSA Centers of Excellence with the goal of better understanding the biology of Huntington’s disease (HD) as it occurs in humans.  The findings should positively impact the lives of patients and help guide future drug development for HD.

Statement of Need

The Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) is interested in sponsoring innovative lines of enquiry of human HD patient data that will shed light on the most proximal biological events caused by the mutant huntingtin gene.  ALL research proposals must incorporate a patient-centric focus in collaboration with an HDSA Center of Excellence.

The HDSA Scientific Advisory Board is hereby calling internationally for research proposals which specifically address any of the objectives listed below:

  1. Biomarker discovery/development:  Reliable and robust readouts to assess efficacy of huntingtin lowering strategies in the clinic are of the utmost importance to the HD community.
  2. Pathway/Mechanism Studies using analysis of high-throughput transcriptomic, proteomic, lipidomic, or metabolomic data generated from human HD biological samples to uncover proximal biological pathways affected in human HD.
  3. Outcomes research to provide evidence about which clinical interventions work best for which types of patients and under what circumstances.
  4. Analysis of existing clinical trial material.
  5. Research to improve of quality of life of HD patients.

Basic Information on HDSA’s HD Human Biology Project

What is it?

  • New 1 and 2 year grant mechanism to provide support for young scientists to work collaboratively with HDSA Centers of Excellence and their mentors.
  • Awards up to $75,000/year ($50,000 salary support and $25,000 research budget)

Who can apply?

  • Young investigators (PhD and/or MDs) <7yrs from degree.
  • Innovative ideas from non-scientists will also be accepted and encouraged.
  • Open to researchers from around the world.

Where is the research performed?

  • Research must be performed at an HDSA Center of Excellence and the applicant’s home laboratory.
  • Online system to submit letter of intent (LOI) by March 22, 2013.  Visit HDSA.org.
  • Awards announced by October 1, 2013.

When can I apply?

  • Online system to submit letter of intent (LOI) by March 22, 2013.  Visit HDSA.org.
  • Awards announced by October 1, 2013.

How will awards be determined?

  • Acceptable LOIs will be invited to submit full proposal by mid-August.
  • All funding decisions will be made by the HDSA Scientific Advisory Board.

 

Letter of Intent and Application

Completed letters of intent (LOI) must be received by HDSA no later than Friday, May 24, 2013, at 8:00 pm (EDT).  The LOI must be completed online at www.hdsa.org/researchloi  All LOIs will be reviewed by the HDSA Scientific Advisory Board and those most closely aligning with the statement of need will be invited to submit a full proposal.

  • An electronic version of the application form will be distributed to each applicant no later than June 14, 2013, if their Letter of Intent is accepted.
  • Each application must be submitted electronically as a single file in MS Word or PDF file format. Paper copies will not be accepted.
  • Submit the completed application and supporting documents to HDSA by August 23, 2013.
  • Recipients will be selected in September 2013. Awards will be recommended by the HDSA Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee prior to formal approval by the HDSA Board of Trustees. Awardees will be notified by October 1, 2013, with the anticipated start date to be between October 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE DETAILED “REQUEST FOR PREPOSAL”

Please direct any questions regarding this program to HDSA Director of Medical & Scientific Affairs George Yohrling, PhD at gyohrling@hdsa.org