Next Generation Research Grant in Peripheral Neuropathy

The Next Generation Research Grant in Peripheral Neuropathy is a two-year research award funded by the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy and administered by the American Brain Foundation. It is part of the American Brain Foundation's Next Generation Research Grants program, which supports early career investigators conducting high-quality research intended to improve understanding, treatment, and cures for brain diseases. The program reflects the American Brain Foundation's Cure One, Cure Many research philosophy, under which discoveries in one disease area may accelerate progress across multiple conditions. This specific award supports clinical or preclinical research in peripheral neuropathy and is intended for investigators studying disease mechanisms, diagnosis, or treatment whose work may also have relevance beyond peripheral neuropathy. The award provides $75,000 per year for two years, for total support of $150,000. Each annual award consists of $65,000 designated for salary support and $10,000 for research-related expenses. Indirect costs are not supported, and all grant funds must be used directly for the proposed project. Applicants may supplement this grant with other awards, but the other grant or grants may not exceed $75,000 annually. The RFP does not state a required cost share or matching contribution. The anticipated funding period begins July 1, 2027 and ends June 30, 2029. Eligible applicants must be research investigators holding an MD, PhD, or equivalent terminal-level clinical or research degree. Applicants must have completed clinical residency or their PhD on or after July 1, 2022 and must have at least 50 percent of their time dedicated to research as protected research time. Investigators at accredited United States and international institutions may apply, and there is no citizenship requirement. There is no institutional limit on the number of applications. An applicant may also apply for more than one Next Generation Research Grant during a single application cycle, but a separate and complete application is required for each grant. Funding is contingent on obtaining all necessary institutional, ethical, and regulatory approvals, including IRB approval when applicable, before the award start date. Applications must be submitted through ProposalCentral by October 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM CT. Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed, and applicants are instructed not to submit materials beyond those specified in the RFP. Required materials include a lay summary of no more than 250 words describing the project and its potential impact for patients and families; an alignment statement of no more than 500 words explaining how the project advances peripheral neuropathy research and the Cure One, Cure Many philosophy; 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. The research plan must address the hypothesis, objectives and specific aims, background and significance, methodology, potential pitfalls and alternative approaches, and any supporting preliminary data or figures. Any use of AI to generate proposal ideas or assist with proposal writing or editing must be disclosed. The application also requires a letter of support from the applicant's academic advisor, mentor, or lab head. The applicant supplies the letter writer's name and email address, after which the letter writer receives an automated submission link. The letter may be up to 1,000 words and must address how the research fits the writer's research program, the writer's expertise and anticipated supervisory commitment, prior mentoring experience, and the applicant's potential for an independent research career. The letter writer must also upload an NIH Biosketch. In addition, the applicant's department chair or equivalent institutional official receives an automated link to confirm institutional support and adequate protected research time. No separate institutional sign-off letter is required. Both the mentor submission and institutional sign-off are due by the same October 8, 2026 deadline. Applications will be reviewed by a committee of experts convened by the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy and the American Brain Foundation. Review criteria include scientific rationale, innovation and 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, including potential pitfalls and alternative approaches; and the quality and commitment of mentorship. This grant also specifically considers demonstrated interest in clinical or preclinical peripheral neuropathy research. Competitive applications are described as having a detailed statistical plan, strong mentorship, feasible and logically structured aims, originality and relevance across diseases or conditions, a clear gap-based training plan, and clear communication. The anticipated award announcement is March 2027. Questions about the RFP or application process may be directed to grants@americanbrainfoundation.org, while ProposalCentral platform questions may be directed to pcsupport@altum.com.

Use a well-developed and testable hypothesis; provide a detailed and appropriate statistical plan; propose focused and feasible aims; demonstrate committed mentorship with relevant expertise; clearly address scientific rationale, innovation, methodological rigor, clinical impact and translational value; show alignment with peripheral neuropathy priorities and Cure One, Cure Many; present a clear gap-based career development plan; explain relevance to multiple diseases or conditions; write the lay summary in plain language focused on patient and family impact; submit only requested materials and ensure mentor and institutional submissions are complete by the deadline