Collaborative Consortia Studying ALS Biomarkers

What We’re Funding

Although all groups studying disease progression biomarkers are eligible to apply, Target ALS is particularly interested in supporting projects that propose the study of:

• novel biomarkers predictive of disease progression or phenoconversion 
• biomarkers with utility as treatment response 
• biomarkers for patient population stratification (e.g., fast vs slow progressors, cognitive impairment, peripheral immunity)
• novel analytical approaches to blood-based biomarkers, including AI/ML-extracted signatures

Confidentiality of the investigator’s data, research, and intellectual property will be strictly honored.  Target ALS does not seek ownership of any intellectual property or financial gains that result from its funding.

Who Should Apply

This call is focused on bringing investigators together to work collaboratively on ALS biology with the aim of identifying novel ALS disease progression biomarkers. Only collaborative projects will be considered.

• Collaborative projects for this call comprise groups of 3-5 laboratories working around a common theme or target. 
• Target ALS aims to enrich ALS research by engaging with investigators who bring new technologies and core expertise in scientific disciplines to the community. We encourage proposals to include investigators who are new to ALS research (e.g. have never published on ALS).
• All Principal Investigators must provide a copy of the executed agreement between their institutions on data/IP sharing OR provide a letter of support that confirms each Technology Transfer Office has been made aware of the collaborative project and the need to sign a data/IP sharing agreement as part of the full proposal submission. NOTE: A fully executed data/IP sharing agreement must be shared within 60 days of notification of award or the grant will be rescinded.
• Principal Investigators should be at the career level of an independent faculty member who leads an independent lab or industry equivalent. Research assistant professors, post-doctoral fellows, and staff are not eligible to be included as investigators.
• Investigator contributions must exceed access to biological samples, patients, and/or other scientific materials relevant for the project. Investigators are expected to contribute complimentary methods, techniques, and responsibilities towards the project.
• We encourage each consortium to include at least one Principal Investigator from the biotech/pharmaceutical industry.
• A Principal Investigator can only participate in one LOI submission.
• Principal Investigators who have two or more active competitive grants from Target ALS are not eligible to apply. 

What our Grants Support

• Funding to cover the following project components: 

• Researcher salaries and fringe benefits
• Lab supplies, materials, and equipment
• Research associated costs up to 15% of the award (e.g. lab’s rent)
• A speaker slot at the  Target ALS annual meeting, held in Boston, MA. This meeting provides an immersive experience in cutting-edge ALS research and offers an opportunity to network with leaders from academia, pharma/biotech, venture capital and other non-profits. 
• Grant structure

• $130,000 per lab, per year maximum.
• The total budget for a collaborative project cannot exceed a maximum of $500,000 per year. 
• The grant will be for a two-year period.

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.