Pre-Doctoral Fellowship Grant to Promote Diversity in Ataxia Research (US)

Deadline: 18-Nov-2026

The National Ataxia Foundation provides two years of partial financial support to eligible pre-doctoral researchers from underrepresented backgrounds conducting ataxia research at U.S. not-for-profit institutions. The program provides $50,000 in total funding—$25,000 per year—with second-year support contingent on satisfactory progress.

About the Pre-Doctoral Program

The Pre-Doctoral Fellowship to Promote Diversity in Ataxia Research is administered by the National Ataxia Foundation, commonly known as NAF. The program supports graduate students from underrepresented backgrounds who are pursuing research careers focused on hereditary, sporadic, or acquired ataxias. By combining research funding with mentorship and institutional training, the program seeks to strengthen both scientific progress and diversity within the ataxia research workforce.

About the National Ataxia Foundation

The National Ataxia Foundation is a patient-centered nonprofit organization dedicated to: - Accelerating the development of treatments for ataxia. - Supporting scientific research. - Improving the lives of people affected by ataxia. - Building a stronger research community. - Promoting diversity and inclusion in science. - Supporting emerging ataxia researchers. - Encouraging collaboration and knowledge-sharing. The Foundation invests in research that can improve scientific understanding and contribute to future diagnostic or therapeutic advances. Purpose of the Program

The program aims to:

- Increase diversity in the ataxia research workforce. - Support pre-doctoral researchers from underrepresented groups. - Strengthen the pipeline of future ataxia investigators. - Advance research on hereditary, sporadic, and acquired ataxias. - Support innovative research questions. - Generate preliminary findings for future studies. - Provide mentored research experience. - Strengthen inclusive scientific training environments. - Encourage long-term careers in ataxia research. - Expand the range of perspectives represented in the field. Funding Information

The program provides:

- Total funding: $50,000.

- Annual funding: $25,000.

- Funding period: Two years.

- Second-year condition: Satisfactory research progress.

- Funding type: Partial research and training support.

- Indirect costs: Not allowed.

- Tuition: Not allowed.

Applicants should prepare a budget that follows all NAF spending limits and category-specific restrictions.

Important Dates

The available timeline includes:

- Letter of Intent deadline: 18 November 2026.

- Full proposal: By invitation following Letter of Intent review.

- Funding decisions: Expected in June 2027.

Applicants should consult the official NAF guidelines and ProposalCentral listing for additional dates, including invitation notices, full-proposal deadlines, and anticipated project start dates. Two-Year Funding Structure The fellowship supports an approved research project for up to two years. First-year funding provides up to $25,000. The second annual installment of up to $25,000 is contingent on: - Satisfactory research progress. - Completion of required reporting. - Achievement of approved milestones. - Compliance with NAF terms. - Continued eligibility. - Availability of funds where applicable. Applicants should present a coherent two-year plan with clearly defined annual activities and outcomes. Eligible Use of Funds Subject to the official budget rules, funds may support direct research expenses such as: - Salary or stipend support. - Laboratory supplies. - Essential research equipment. - Animal care. - Publication expenses. - Limited travel to scientific meetings. - Other approved direct costs necessary for the proposed research. All costs should be reasonable, justified, and directly connected to the approved project. Salary or Stipend Support Funding may provide partial salary or stipend support for the pre-doctoral researcher. Applicants and institutions should clarify: - The researcher’s existing financial support. - The amount requested from NAF. - Whether other salary or stipend sources are available. - How the NAF contribution will be administered. - Whether any portion of the request overlaps with other funding. - How the requested support will enable completion of the research. The fellowship provides partial rather than necessarily full financial support. Laboratory Supplies and Equipment

Eligible research expenses may include:

- Laboratory reagents. - Consumable supplies. - Sample-processing materials. - Research-specific software. - Small or essential equipment. - Data-collection tools. - Other materials required to complete the proposed experiments. Equipment requests should be essential to the project and comply with the program’s budget caps. Applicants should explain why existing institutional resources cannot meet the need. Animal Care Costs Animal-care expenses may be eligible when the proposed research involves approved animal models.

Applicants should address:

- Why animal studies are necessary. - The model being used. - Ethical and regulatory approvals. - Animal numbers. - Welfare safeguards. - Associated care costs. - How the model contributes to the research objectives. All animal research must meet applicable institutional and regulatory standards. Publication and Scientific Meeting Costs

The program may support:

- Eligible publication costs. - Limited travel to scientific meetings. Conference travel should contribute directly to: - Presenting funded research. - Receiving scientific feedback. - Developing relevant skills. - Building professional networks. - Advancing the researcher’s career in ataxia science. Applicants should check the official guidelines for travel limits and eligible meeting expenses. Ineligible Costs

Funding cannot be used for:

- Indirect costs. - Institutional overhead. - Tuition. - Expenses prohibited by NAF. - Duplicate funding for the same research aims. - Costs outside the approved project period. - Unjustified or unr