Next Generation Research Grant in Neuromuscular Disease

The American Brain Foundation's Next Generation Research Grants support early career investigators conducting high-quality research intended to improve understanding, treatment, and cures for brain diseases. The program is offered with disease-focused partner organizations and reflects the Foundation's Cure One, Cure Many research philosophy, under which advances in one area of research may accelerate progress across multiple diseases. The Next Generation Research Grant in Neuromuscular Disease is funded by the American Brain Foundation and the Neuromuscular Study Group and is administered by the American Brain Foundation. This two-year award supports clinical and translational research and training in neuromuscular disease. It is intended for early career researchers studying disease mechanisms, diagnosis, or treatment of neuromuscular disease, particularly work with potential relevance beyond neuromuscular disease to other conditions. The stated purposes are to promote neuromuscular clinical and translational research through fellowships to trainees and to promote the activities of the Neuromuscular Study Group. The grant provides $75,000 per year for two years, for a total award of $150,000. Each annual award includes $65,000 designated for salary support and $10,000 for research-related expenses. Indirect costs are not supported, and all award funds must be used directly for the proposed project. Applicants may supplement this grant with other awards, but the other grant or grants cannot exceed $75,000 annually. The RFP requires 70 percent protected research time. No cost-share or matching requirement is stated. The anticipated funding period is July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2029. Eligible applicants must be clinician-investigators with an MD, PhD, or equivalent terminal-level clinical or research degree and must have completed clinical residency or a PhD in 2022 or later. Applicants at accredited United States and international institutions may apply, and there is no citizenship requirement. There is no limit on the number of applications from one institution. An applicant may apply for more than one Next Generation Research Grant during the same application cycle, but a separate and complete application is required for each grant. The recipient must attend the Neuromuscular Study Group Annual Meetings in 2027 and 2028 and must present the funded research at the 2028 meeting. Institutional, ethical, and regulatory approvals, including IRB approval where applicable, must be obtained before the award start date. Applications must be submitted through ProposalCentral by October 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM CT. Required materials include a lay summary of no more than 250 words, an alignment statement of no more than 500 words, a career development plan of up to one PDF page, a research plan of up to three single-spaced PDF pages plus bibliographic references, and the applicant's current NIH Biosketch. Applicants must also provide contact information for an academic advisor, mentor, or lab head, who receives an automated link to submit a letter of support of no more than 1,000 words and upload the letter writer's NIH Biosketch. The department chair or equivalent institutional official receives a separate automated link to confirm institutional support and adequate protected research time. The October 8 deadline applies to all required materials, including the mentor submission and institutional sign-off. Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed, and materials beyond those requested will not be considered. Any use of AI to generate proposal ideas or assist with proposal writing or editing must be disclosed. Applications are reviewed by a committee of experts convened by the American Brain Foundation and the Neuromuscular Study Group. Core criteria include scientific rationale, innovation, methodological rigor, a well-developed and testable hypothesis, potential clinical impact and translational value, alignment with grant research priorities, investigator expertise and potential for an independent research career, feasibility of the proposed aims, attention to potential pitfalls and alternative approaches, and the quality and commitment of mentorship. Reviewers also identify a detailed statistical plan, feasible and logically structured aims, strong mentorship, innovation with relevance to multiple diseases or conditions, a clear gap-based training plan, and clear communication as characteristics of competitive applications. Award announcements are anticipated in March 2027, with funding beginning July 1, 2027 and ending June 30, 2029. The RFP does not state that this opportunity recurs annually or on another regular schedule. Questions about the RFP or application process may be directed to grants@americanbrainfoundation.org, while ProposalCentral platform questions may be sent to pcsupport@altum.com.

State a clear and testable hypothesis; provide a detailed and appropriate statistical plan; demonstrate strong mentorship with relevant expertise and commitment; structure aims so they are focused, feasible, and achievable during the award period; emphasize innovation and potential relevance across multiple diseases or conditions; provide a clear gap-based career development and training plan; identify potential pitfalls and alternative approaches; clearly communicate the project's significance and potential clinical and translational impact