RFPs: Next Generation Research Grant Program

The Next Generation Research Grant Program supports early-career clinician-investigators conducting innovative clinical or preclinical research on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The two-year grant provides $150,000 to investigate ALS disease mechanisms, diagnosis, or treatment while helping emerging clinician-scientists establish independent research careers.

About the Next Generation Research Grant Program

The Next Generation Research Grant Program is supported by The ALS Association and the American Brain Foundation and administered by the American Brain Foundation. The programme is based on the “Cure One, Cure Many” philosophy, which recognizes that discoveries in ALS research may contribute to advances in other neurological diseases. The grant is intended for early-career researchers developing innovative, hypothesis-driven research projects with potential to improve understanding or treatment of ALS. What Research Does the Grant Support? Funding is available for clinical or preclinical research focused on ALS.

Eligible research may investigate:

ALS disease mechanisms. ALS diagnosis and diagnostic approaches. ALS treatment strategies. Biological processes underlying ALS. Innovative approaches that could lead to improved patient outcomes. Research findings that may have broader relevance to other neurological diseases. Projects should have a clear scientific hypothesis and demonstrate potential to advance ALS research. $10,000 per year may be used for research-related expenses. Indirect costs are not supported. All funding must be used directly for the approved research project. The funding structure is designed to provide both protected salary support and resources for conducting the proposed research. Who Is Eligible? The programme is intended for early-career clinician-investigators conducting ALS research.

Applicants must:

Hold an MD, PhD, or equivalent terminal-level clinical or research degree. Have completed their clinical residency or PhD in 2022 or later. Be affiliated with an accredited institution. Be based at an eligible institution in the United States or internationally. Meet all other programme-specific application requirements. There is no citizenship requirement, allowing eligible researchers from outside the United States to apply. Institutional Eligibility Researchers may apply through accredited institutions in both the United States and other countries. There is no stated limit on the number of applications an institution may submit, meaning multiple eligible researchers from the same institution may apply. Who Cannot Apply for Both ALS Grants? Applicants should carefully consider other ALS research funding opportunities available in the same cycle. An applicant may not apply for both: The Next Generation Research Grant Program, and The Richard Olney Clinician Scientist Grant in ALS during the same application cycle. Applicants should therefore determine which programme best matches their career stage and research project before submitting an application. How the Grant Supports Early-Career Researchers The programme is designed not only to fund ALS research but also to help emerging researchers establish independent scientific careers.

The grant can provide:

Protected salary support. Dedicated research funding. Resources for clinical or preclinical investigations. An opportunity to develop an independent research programme. Support for innovative ALS research with broader neurological relevance. How to Prepare a Strong Application Applicants should develop a proposal that clearly explains the scientific problem, research hypothesis, methodology, and potential impact.

1. Define the Research Problem

Clearly identify the ALS-related question the project will address. Explain why the problem is important and what knowledge gap currently exists.

2. Develop a Strong Hypothesis

The programme encourages innovative, hypothesis-driven research. State the central hypothesis clearly and explain how the proposed research will test it. The annual award is structured around salary and research expenses. Applicants should ensure that proposed costs are directly connected to the project because indirect costs are not supported. Why This ALS Research Grant Matters ALS is a progressive neurological disease that requires continued research into its underlying biology, diagnosis, and treatment. The Next Generation Research Grant Program addresses two important needs: advancing ALS science and supporting the next generation of clinician-scientists. Its broader significance comes from the potential for ALS discoveries to inform research into other neurological disorders, consistent with the Cure One, Cure Many approach. Key Grant Details

Grant name: Next Generation Research Grant Program

Research area: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Degree requirement: MD, PhD, or equivalent terminal degree

Residency/PhD completion: 2022 or later

Institutional eligibility: Accredited U.S. and international institutions

Citizenship requirement: None

Frequently Asked Questions What is the Next Generation Research Grant Program? It is a research funding programme for early-career clinician-investigators conducting clinical or preclinical research focused on ALS mechanisms, diagnosis, or treatment. How much funding is available? The total award is $150,000 over two years, provided at $75,000 per year. How can the annual funding be used? Each annual installment provides $65,000 for salary support and $10,000 for research-related expenses. Indirect costs are not supported. Who can apply for the grant? Applicants must hold an MD, PhD, or equivalent terminal-level clinical or research degree and must have completed clinical residency or a PhD in 2022 or later. Can researchers outside the United States apply? Yes. Applicants from accredited institutions in the United States and internationally are eligible, and there is no citizenship requirement. Can multiple researchers from one institution apply? Y