Clinical Research Training Scholarship in ALS and Related Disorders

Funded by the CReATe Consortium and American Brain Foundation in Collaboration with the American Academy of Neurology

This award aims to support young investigators engaged in clinical or preclinical research focused on ALS, PMA, PLS, FTD, HSP and MSP.

The award will consist of a commitment of $65,000 per year for two years, plus a $10,000 per year stipend to support education and research-related costs for a total of $150,000. Supplementation of the award with other grants is permissible, but to be eligible to apply for this award, the other grant source(s) cannot exceed $75,000 annually.

The American Academy of Neurology is firmly committed to embracing the diversity among our members, applicants, and reviewers and affirms the importance of equity and inclusiveness within the AAN research program.

1. Visit https://proposalcentral.com/default.asp
2. All application materials must be submitted via ProposalCentral by 5:00 PM CT on October 8, 2026.
3. Incomplete or late submissions will not be reviewed.

• Applicants must be clinician-investigators with an MD, PhD, or equivalent terminal-level clinical or research degree.
• Applicants must have completed clinical residency or PhD on or after July 1, 2022.
• Applicants at accredited US and international institutions are eligible to apply. There is no citizenship requirement.

Applications are evaluated by reviewers based on the following criteria:

• Scientific rationale, innovation, and methodological rigor, including a well-developed and testable hypothesis
• Potential clinical impact and translational value
• Alignment with the research priorities of the grant
• Investigator expertise and potential for an independent research career
• Feasibility of proposed aims, including identification of potential pitfalls and alternative approaches
• Quality and nature of mentorship, including demonstrated commitment to the applicant’s training and career development

1. This award is supported in part by an NINDS sub-award.
2. The recipient of this award will be expected to submit an interim and final progress report annually for the duration of the award.

1. A PDF of up to three single-spaced pages. The research plan should include:
   1. A brief statement of aims summarizing the project’s hypothesis, objectives, specific aims
   2. Background and significance
   3. Methodology, including potential pitfalls and alternative approaches
   4. Any supporting preliminary data/figures Applicants should include bibliographic references, which do not count toward the three-page limit. The research plan should be written by the applicant and represent their original work.
      
      Applicants are expected and encouraged to develop the research plan in discussion with the proposed mentor. It is appropriate, but not required, for the proposed work to be related to the mentor’s ongoing research.
2. PDF of Applicant’s NIH Biosketch. Access the template here.
3. Applicants will provide the name and email address for their academic advisor, mentor, or lab head, who will receive an automated email with a link to submit a letter of support of 1,000 words or fewer. The letter should address:
   1. How the proposed research fits into the letter writer’s research program
   2. The letter writer’s expertise in the proposed area of research and their anticipated time commitment to supervising and training the applicant
   3. Prior experience supervising and mentoring early-career researchers
   4. The applicant’s potential for an independent research career
4. The letter writer will also be asked to upload their NIH Biosketch.
   
   A successful application should include the following:

• Well-developed hypothesis: The hypothesis is testable and clearly stated.
• Detailed statistical plan: Statistical methods are well-designed and appropriate for the proposed aims.
• Strong mentorship: The application demonstrates committed mentorship with relevant expertise.
• Feasible aims: Each aim is focused, achievable within the award period, and logically structured.
• Innovation: The proposed work is original, has potential relevance for multiple diseases/conditions and will advance the applicant’s long-term career goals.
• Well-defined training plan: There is a clear, gap-based career development plan.
• Clear articulation: The application is clearly written and the project is well communicated.

Questions?

For questions about this RFP or the application process, please contact the American Brain Foundation at grants@americanbrainfoundation.org.     

For questions about the application platform, contact ProposalCentral support at pcsupport@altum.com.