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Target Validation - Fall 2013

Organisme

The Michael J Fox Foundation- Part of our annual Edmond J. Safra Core Programs for PD Research, the Target Validation program supports work seeking to determine if manipulating a novel biological target has impact in a Parkinson’s disease (PD)-relevant animal model—an essential early step to the development of potentially promising therapies.

Objecte

Research into the etiology and pathophysiology of PD has identified an increasing number of genetic and cellular targets where therapeutic intervention could benefit people with PD.

Descripció

The Target Validation program supports work to determine whether manipulation of a defined biological target provides a disease-relevant beneficial outcome in a whole animal, mammalian model of PD. MJFF does not have any pre-conceived preferences for particular targets submitted to the Target Validation program. However, we recommend applicants consider the following:

• The target should be clearly defined, such as a specific gene or structural/functional feature of a protein (e.g., its enzymatic activity, protein conformation or ability to interact with other proteins).
• Applicants may propose a variety of methods to manipulate a target, including but not limited to use of pharmacological tools or biologic strategies (small molecules, antibodies, RNAi, viral vector-mediated gene delivery, etc.). Applicants may also propose use of previously established genetically engineered animal models (e.g., knockout or over-expression of the target gene of interest) assessed for PD-relevant features or sensitivity to PD-associated factors.
• Proposals may include intermediate tests using in vitro, ex vivo and/or model organisms (e.g., Drosophila, C. elegans) to optimize the ideal target manipulation strategy, but must ultimately include within the grant funding period an evaluation of the target manipulation in a whole-animal mammalian model of PD.

Note: proposals focused on new target identification and proposals testing cellular transplantation approaches are not appropriate for the Target Validation program. Moreover, proposals seeking to generate new genetic (knockin, knockout, transgenic) models are generally not appropriate for this program given the lengthy time of animal model generation/characterization and the two-year timeframe of the funding program. Applicants seeking support for therapeutic development should submit to the Therapeutic Pipeline Program or contact MJFF research staff for guidance.
 

FUNDS AVAILABLE

The Target Validation program supports two-year grants up to $250,000 total costs inclusive of both direct and indirect costs. No more than 25% (Academic institutions) or 10% (for-profit organizations) of the direct costs may go to indirect costs. Please see the program instructions, Administrative Guidelines and our FAQ on MJFF indirect cost policy for details.



Eligibility Requirements

Applications may be submitted by:

• U.S. and non-U.S. biotechnology/pharmaceutical companies or other for-profit entities, either publicly or privately held,
• U.S. and non-U.S. entities, public and private non-profit entities, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of state and local governments, and eligible agencies of the federal government.

Post-doctoral fellows are NOT eligible to apply as Principal Investigators to the Target Validation program.
 

Termini oficial

Fall 2013 Review Cycle
Informational Conference Call*: March 27, 2013 at 12pm US ET
Pre-proposals Due: May 29, 2013 – 6pm US ET
Full Proposal Invitations: June 19, 2013
Full Proposals Due (by invite only): August 7, 2013 – 6pm US ET
Anticipated Award Announcement: October 2013
Anticipated Funding: November 2013

*MJFF will hold a 45-minute conference call on the dates and times listed above to clarify and explain the goals of this funding initiative and answer applicant questions. To participate in the call and receive call-in details, please RSVP via email to conferencecalls@michaeljfox.org.
 

Termini IISPV

Cal comunicar abans del 15 d'abril de 2013 que es vol participar a la convocatòria, enviant un e-mail a convocatories@iispv.cat . Termini: 6 de maig de 2013

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