Young Researchers Innovation Grant

Research projects funded by the Young Researchers Innovation Grant program should focus on innovative ideas and approaches to address key areas impacting CMT drug development, including projects aimed at:

• Understanding the blood-nerve barrier and cell types impacted by CMT as a means to optimize drug delivery in the peripheral nervous system.
• Testing new drug delivery technologies and methods for PNS delivery and activity. 
• Identifying or validating new therapeutics or targets for CMT for individual subtypes or across multiple types.
• Developing improved disease models or conducting other activities to grow or speed up CMT drug development and/or improve translation of therapeutics to human clinical trials.

Grant Types

Pilot Grant: A $75,000 award for one year designed to support innovative research projects rooted in good science with high potential to generate meaningful preliminary data. This funding aims to encourage early-stage ideas that could lead to significant advancements and serve as a foundation for securing larger follow-on grants, such as those from the NIH or CMTRF. Projects that demonstrate strong scientific rigor and potential for future application and impact in the field will be prioritized.

Eligibility: Researchers who have completed their terminal degree (MD, PhD, etc) no more than 10 years before the application deadline. Applicants must have the resources and ability to conduct independent research under the mentorship of a Principle Investigator (academic or industry) or will have their own lab by the proposed start of the award (by or before September 2025).
Amount: Up to $75,000 may be requested. 

Predoctoral Grant: A $25,000 award for one year to support the research and/or salary of promising predoctoral fellows. Priority for this grant will be given to research projects that exhibit strong scientific rigor and a demonstration of a clear pathway to meaningful application and further research development.

Eligibility: Doctoral students who are currently enrolled in a doctoral training program (MD, PhD, etc) and under mentorship at the time of the application deadline and proposed project timeline. Research must be conducted within the PI’s lab or in collaboration with external partners who provide a letter of support.
Amount: Up to $25,000 may be requested.

July 1, 2025 – September 1, 2025 

Projects must commence in this window

*The Letter of Intent stage is optional, providing an opportunity for you to receive preliminary feedback from CMTRF before crafting your full proposal. CMTRF can provide preliminary feedback. If you choose to skip the LOI stage, this will not negatively impact the review process for your full application. Feedback will be provided within 4 weeks. Excludes holidays.

*More information on grant eligibility and other details will be available October 15, 2024.

Questions:

Questions about types of projects that can qualify for the grant can be sent to [email protected].