This funding program will support high-impact projects that utilize existing data resources to increase molecular understanding of Parkinson’s disease (PD), correlate biological changes to clinical/other outcomes, and more deeply interrogate disrupted pathways in PD.
The PD research field has generated a wealth of molecular data. This program aims to encourage projects to mine those data sets for biomarkers of Parkinson’s progression, phenoconversion, diagnosis and patient stratification.
Program Priorities:
- Comparisons of analytes across complementary cohorts to identify or evaluate performance of putative biomarkers
- Evaluation of underexplored genetic variants associated with PD risk and correlates with clinical or molecular features of disease
- Identification of novel molecular indicators of phenoconversion and/or PD subtyping
- Integrated analysis of multi-omic data sets to identify and characterize critical pathways disrupted in PD
- Identification of novel genotype-phenotype implications on molecular features of disease
- Characterization of molecular indicators of the role of the immune system in PD risk and patient outcomes
- Identification or evaluation of molecular indicators of lysosomal and endosomal function, dysfunction or functional diversity relevant to PD risk and penetrance
This program is not appropriate for projects to:
- Generate new molecular, genetic or imaging data
- Support therapeutic development or identification of therapeutic compounds
- Solicit MJFF biosamples to conduct or expand ongoing analysis
- Replicate or review published work without novel analysis aims
Special consideration will be given to applications that integrate findings across data sets. Review an overview of the data presently available through MJFF-supported data platforms in the RFA Overview.
Researchers from public and private institutions are encouraged to apply and to collaborate. Applicants are strongly encouraged to include researchers with specific expertise in Parkinson’s care and research.
Informational Webinar
We will host a webinar on August 24, 2021, at 12 p.m. ET to clarify and explain the goals of our funding opportunities and answer applicant questions. The webinar will be available to view on-demand after the live airdate. Register today.
Application Process
1. Download the RFA overview and application template.
2. Log in or create an account in the grant application portal.
3. Submit your completed application.
Email grants@michaeljfox.org with questions.