Michael Lundquist Grant to Advance MSA-C Research

Deadline: 18-Nov-2026

The Michael Lundquist Grant to Advance MSA-C Research provides $50,000 to an independent researcher conducting innovative preclinical, translational, or clinical research on multiple system atrophy, cerebellar subtype. The one-year grant will run from 1 September 2027 to 31 August 2028 and is open to eligible researchers in the United States and other countries.

About the Michael Lundquist Grant

The Michael Lundquist Grant to Advance MSA-C Research is part of the National Ataxia Foundation’s Annual Research Grant Program. Awarded annually, the grant honors the legacy of Michael Lundquist by supporting research that improves the treatment, diagnosis, clinical care, and long-term outcomes of people living with multiple system atrophy, cerebellar subtype.

The award is:

- Merit-based - Internationally accessible - Focused primarily on MSA-C - Limited to direct research expenses - Non-duplicative of other funding - Provided for one year - Intended for independent researchers

About the National Ataxia Foundation

The National Ataxia Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating treatment development and improving the lives of people affected by ataxia. NAF supports national and international collaboration among: - Researchers - Clinicians - Healthcare institutions - Research organizations - Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies - Patients and families - Advocacy communities Its Annual Research Grant Program invests in studies with the potential to advance scientific understanding, clinical-trial readiness, therapeutic development, diagnosis, and patient care. What Is MSA-C? Multiple system atrophy is a rare, progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting movement, coordination, balance, and involuntary bodily functions. MSA-C refers to the cerebellar subtype of multiple system atrophy. Cerebellar symptoms may include: - Poor balance - Impaired coordination - Unsteady walking - Speech difficulties - Problems controlling voluntary movement - Progressive loss of physical independence MSA-C can also involve autonomic symptoms affecting blood pressure, bladder function, and other involuntary processes. The grant seeks research that can improve understanding of the disease and accelerate the development of effective care and treatment. Purpose of the Grant The program supports outstanding research proposals that can advance the treatment and care of people affected by MSA-C.

Its objectives include:

- Accelerating disease-modifying therapy development - Improving understanding of MSA-C pathogenesis - Supporting clinical-trial readiness - Discovering and validating biomarkers - Developing better diagnostic methods - Connecting scientific discoveries with therapeutic applications - Advancing preclinical, translational, and clinical research - Improving clinical care and patient outcomes - Encouraging international MSA-C research collaboration Priority Research Areas Priority will be given to projects that address one or more of the following areas: - Disease-modifying therapies - Clinical-trial readiness - Biomarker discovery - Biomarker validation - Diagnostic methods - Mechanistic research - Disease pathogenesis - Translational research - Therapeutic development - Clinical research - Patient care and outcomes Projects may include elements relevant to other forms of ataxia, but MSA-C must remain the primary focus. Disease-Modifying Therapies Disease-modifying therapies aim to slow, stop, or alter the biological progression of a condition rather than only managing symptoms.

Relevant projects may investigate:

- New therapeutic targets - Drug candidates - Drug-repurposing opportunities - Cellular or molecular interventions - Treatment-response mechanisms - Preclinical efficacy - Safety or dosing questions - Patient selection for future trials - Translational steps required for clinical development Applicants should explain how the proposed research could contribute to an effective therapeutic pathway. Clinical-Trial Readiness Clinical-trial readiness involves developing the evidence, tools, infrastructure, and knowledge needed to conduct effective clinical studies.

Projects may address:

- Biomarkers - Clinical outcome measures - Patient stratification - Disease-progression indicators - Natural-history data - Trial endpoints - Recruitment strategies - Diagnostic confirmation - Study design - Treatment-response measures The application should identify the clinical-trial barrier being addressed and the expected contribution of the study. Biomarker Discovery and Validation Biomarkers are measurable biological or clinical indicators that can help diagnose disease, track progression, classify patients, or evaluate treatment response.

Relevant research may include:

- Imaging biomarkers - Fluid biomarkers - Genetic indicators - Digital biomarkers - Physiological measures - Pathological markers - Biomarker validation - Comparisons with other neurological conditions - Measures of treatment response Applicants should explain the intended use of the biomarker and the evidence required to support that use. Diagnostic Research Improved diagnostic methods can help distinguish MSA-C from other ataxias and neurological disorders.

Projects may investigate:

- Earlier diagnosis - Differential diagnosis - Diagnostic criteria - Imaging approaches - Laboratory tests - Clinical assessment tools - Artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis - Combined biomarker panels - Methods for reducing diagnostic delay Diagnostic proposals should demonstrate potential clinical relevance and a realistic path toward validation. Mechanistic and Pathogenesis Research Pathogenesis research examines how a disease begins, develops, and progresses.

Relevant projects may study:

- Cellular dysfunction - Protein accumulation - Neurodegeneration - Inflammatory pathways - Genetic or epigenetic factors - Cerebellar pathology - Autonomic dysfunction - Disease progression - Experimental models - Relationships b