Myasthenia Gravis Research Grant Opportunities
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Research Grant Funding

MGFA Funding Opportunities

Clinician and scientist investigators are engaged in groundbreaking myasthenia research all over the world. MGFA funds promising research studies and clinical trials to discover potential new treatments and methods of living a better quality of life with MG.  

 

2024 MGFA Global MG Patient Registry Publication Grant 


Calling all researchers and investigators! You are invited to submit a proposal for high-impact clinical research and scientific pilot projects on myasthenia gravis and related neuromuscular junction disorders.

Proposals for the 2024 MGFA Global MG Patient Registry Publication Grant are now being accepted. If you are conducting research that will ultimately improve the lives of people with myasthenia gravis and related neuromuscular junction disorders, you are invited to submit an application via ProposalCentral by May 3, 2024.

MGFA will fund highly meritorious projects that enable academic investigators to use patient-reported data in the MGFA Global MG Patient Registry for the purpose of improving patient outcomes. Investigators will provide a study synopsis to evaluate MGFA Global MG Patient Registry data, with the actual retrospective data analysis performed by Alira Health, with up to $10,000 covered as pass-through costs via this grant for up to 6 tables, listings, and figures. Results generated, including 6 populated tables and figures, will be used for the submission of abstracts to academic meetings (for selection as poster or oral presentation) with the ultimate goal of acceptance of manuscript(s) for publication.

The research committee has identified five broad research priorities of unmet need in the field of neuromuscular junction disorders:

  • Biomarkers
  • Mechanisms of disease
  • Therapeutic strategies
  • Improving patient outcomes
  • Pediatric treatment strategies, safety concerns, and long-term outcome

Though this research agenda is intended to guide researchers towards topics that are important to the MGFA, the research committee will accept proposals outside of these priority areas and is committed to supporting the best science. 

How to Apply

All proposal materials will be submitted through ProposalCentral.

Submit an application no later than May 3, 2024. Researchers will be notified of award status in June 2024.

To see details of the application process, relevant forms, and more about MGFA’s research priorities, create a login on ProposalCentral and search for “Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America” under "Grant Opportunities."

 

High Impact Pilot Project Award

High Impact Clinical Research and Scientific Pilot Projects on Myasthenia Gravis and Related Neuromuscular Junction Disorders. 

 

OVERVIEW

The 2024 letter of intent submission cycle is now closed. Those investigators selected to submit a full proposal have been notified.

 

Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) requests submission of proposals to support high-impact clinical research and scientific pilot studies that are focused and innovative. High-impact clinical research proposals should focus on patient outcome measurements or advancements in clinical or research practices which improve present treatment paradigms. Scientific pilot projects will require a clear plan that will lead to new federal, pharmaceutical, or private foundation supported investigations, as well as a clear plan of how success will be assessed. The proposal should be within the scope of the MGFA’s research agenda.  

 

MGFA is committed to supporting research that will ultimately improve the lives of patients with myasthenia gravis and related neuromuscular junction disorders. The research committee has identified five broad research priorities of unmet need in the field:

 

  • Biomarkers 
  • Early diagnosis 
  • Predictors of clinical outcome 
  • Predictors of response to immunosuppressive therapy 
  • Biomarkers for use in clinical trials 
  • Mechanisms of disease 
  • Basic mechanisms of disease 
  • How loss of self-tolerance is sustained throughout the disease course 
  • Therapeutic strategies 
  • Development of new therapeutic targets 
  • Targeted therapies that prevent widespread immunosuppression and off-target side effects 
  • Optimizing treatment strategies with existing therapies 
  • Improving patient outcomes 
  • The patient perspective on their disease, its impact on their daily life, and treatment considerations that are most important to them 
  • Collateral effects of MG and its treatment, such as associated medical conditions, treatment-related side effects, and financial considerations
  • Pediatric treatment strategies, safety concerns, and long-term outcome

Though this research agenda is intended to guide researchers towards topics that are important to the MGFA, the research committee will accept proposals outside of these priority areas and is committed to supporting the best science. 

 

MGFA will fund highly meritorious projects with a maximum of $110,000, over two years, of which no more than $10,000 may be allocated to indirect costs. Funds will be expended over two years from the time of the award. Special funding requests and/or changes to the award period must be approved prior to submission of proposal through the Letter of Intent. 

 

INSTRUCTIONS

Applicants submit a letter of intent (LOI) by February 16, 2024 using the form provided in MGFA’s grant portal, ProposalCentral. This form is found by searching for Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of American under “Grant Opportunities.” (Note: You must create an account and log in to access and submit all forms. Help for using Proposal Center can be found below.) There, you will find additional documents and details regarding the application process. Those invited to submit a full proposal were notified March 1, 2024. 

 

The full application consists of:

  • A five-page research proposal, which must be strictly formatted according to the NIH standard for applications: Specific Aims, Significance, Innovation, and an Approach section which includes preliminary data, the experimental design, and interpretation sections. There is no limit to the reference section.
  • A separate single page describing how the funds will benefit the goals of the MGFA, and also describe the plan for future support. For example, a copy of a funding agency review, which supports the need to obtain preliminary data, would be evidence of a specific plan for future support.
  • A separate Lay Summary of up to ½ a page in length or approximately 200 words. 
  • A detailed budget and budget justification in the NIH format. There are no specific budget restrictions, but all aspects of the budget must be clearly justified. If Principal Investigator salary support is requested, then a letter from a department chair or equivalent must accompany the application to assure that the PI is afforded protected research time for the project. 

Applicants are required to include the following. Templated materials are available on the Proposal Central portal.

  • Letter of Intent Form [1pg]
  • Cover Sheet [2 pg]
  • Lay Summary [1/2 pg/ 200 words] 
  • Research Plan Form [5 pg]
  • NIH Budget & Budget Justification [no page limit]
  • Development of Future Support [1 pg]
  • NIH Bio-sketch Form [5 pg]
  • Institutional/Grants Agent Signature Required
  • *Letter from Department Chair if PI Salary Support Requested

 

All components should be submitted via MGFA’s grants portal, ProposalCentral, no later than April 12, 2024. A preliminary review to ensure compliance with guidelines will be performed. Submissions that do not follow the required NIH formatting will not be reviewed. Proposals will be reviewed by a study section comprised of the MGFA research committee as well as ad hoc reviewers when required; NIH scoring scale and categories will be used. Funding notification is expected by June 2024 and funds provided by July 2024.

 

Participation in MGFA key activities, such as presentations on funded work at the MGFA Scientific Session at the AANEM Annual Meeting and the MGFA National Patient Conference are expected from award recipients. Recipients may also be asked for interviews on their project and its relevance to the MG Community for MGFA’s lay-oriented website and/or newsletter at both the start and completion of the project. 

 

ELIGIBILITY

The RFA is open to established and new investigators. Applications in all areas of MG research will be accepted from U.S. and international principal investigators with faculty status.  Applications are not open to for-profit or small business submissions.

 

KEY DATES

ACTIVITY DATE
Call for Proposals Opens January 12, 2024
Letter of Intent Deadline  February 16, 2024
Notification of Invitation to Proceed with Application March 1, 2024
Application Deadline  April 12, 2024
Funding notification  June 2024
Funding provided  July 2024 
Progress Report / Final Study Report   To be determined; details stipulated in Notice of Award letter (typically at 1-year and at the end of the grant award period)  

 

 

 

Nancy Law Impact Award

This award was created in honor of Nancy Law, the former CEO and board chair of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America. Her dedication to supporting people with MG inspired this research funding award opportunity. Professionals conducting research that will ultimately improve the lives of people with myasthenia gravis and related neuromuscular junction disorders are invited to apply. MGFA funds highly meritorious projects with a maximum total cost of $100,000 per year, for a period of three years.

Established and new independent investigators with faculty status are eligible to apply. This RFA is not open to for-profit (i.e. biotechnology and pharmaceutical) applicants. Applications in all areas of MG research will be accepted from U.S. and international applicants.

 

Jackie McSpadden Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award

The MGFA Jackie McSpadden Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award was established in 2022 to support a postdoctoral investigator conducting translational research related to myasthenia gravis. The fellowship grant is offered to promising recipients of MD, PhD or MD/PhD degrees when it appears that the program of training to be supported by the grant will enhance the likelihood that the trainee will perform meaningful and independent research relevant to MG in the future and obtain a suitable position that will enable them to do so. This award is named for Jackie McSpadden as a posthumous memorial to her fighting spirit in the face of her myasthenia gravis diagnosis.

 

 

Contacts for Questions 

For technical inquiries such as system access or site navigation related to ProposalCentral, please email pcsupport@altum.com or call 1-800-875-2562 (toll-free US and Canada) or +1-703-964.5840 (Direct Dial International).  

More information about how to register and apply using ProposalCentral:  

For all other questions, please email MGFA@myasthenia.org.  


MGFA Research Grant Agenda and Funding Areas

We support research that will improve the lives of patients with myasthenia gravis and related neuromuscular junction disorders. The committee has identified five broad research priorities:

  • Biomarkers: facilitate early diagnosis, predict clinical outcomes and immunosuppressive therapy response and utilize in clinical trials.
  • Disease Mechanisms: understand basic mechanisms and self-tolerance loss throughout course of disease.
  • Targeted Therapies: develop new therapeutic targets, prevent widespread immunosuppression and off-target side effects, optimize treatment strategies with existing therapies. 
  • Patient Outcomes: understand the full impact of disease on daily living and patient treatment priorities, understand collateral effects of disease; related medical conditions, side effects and financial impact.
  • Pediatric Treatment: identify strategies, safety concerns, and long-term outcomes.

Funding areas include:

  • High-Impact Pilot Project Awards: pilot studies leading to new federal, pharmaceutical or private foundation supported investigations
  • Transformative Research Awards: focused, innovative investigations that are highly likely to produce fundamental alterations in understanding myasthenia gravis
  • Targeted Research and Special Projects Awards: further greater understanding of MG and its impact on quality of life
  • Awards to Engage and Support Young Investigators and Clinicians: recognize the importance of good clinical research and encourage young investigators’ involvement in clinical studies

View Past MGFA Research Grant Recipients here. 


External Research Grants 

Myasthenia Gravis Rare Disease Network

The Myasthenia Gravis Rare Disease Network, MGNet, part of the National Institutes of Health's Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network, has funding opportunities available for MG researchers. Applications for the 2023 grant cycle are closed, but general information can be found below. 

Myasthenia Gravis Network (MGNet) Scholar Program

Pilot Grant Program for Myasthenia Gravis

 

Scholar Program: $78,000

The Scholar Program provides up to 2 years of support for mentored research training to prepare Scholars for an independent research career in the field of Myasthenia Gravis. Selected Scholars receive up to $75,000 per year and an additional $3,000 per year to travel to MGNet sites for training and or to attend scientific meetings.

Scholar Awards | The Myasthenia Gravis Rare Disease Network (rarediseasesnetwork.org)

Pilot Program: $75,000

The Pilot Grant Program will provide up to two years of funding $75,000 per year to support clinical research dedicated to myasthenia gravis. We are seeking proposals for highly innovative investigations in early stages of development focused on clinical research, including fulfilling the definition of clinical research and exclusion of animal studies.

Pilot and Feasibility Grants | The Myasthenia Gravis Rare Disease Network (rarediseasesnetwork.org)

A World Without MG