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2012 Request for Research Proposals
The Barth Syndrome Foundation, Inc. (BSF) and its international affiliates are pleased to announce the availability of funding for basic science and clinical research on the natural history, biochemical basis, and treatment of Barth syndrome. BSF's Research Grant Program allows young, non-tenured investigators to include in their submitted budget up to 75% of the total grant amount as Principal Investigator (PI) salary. In addition, for those clinical applications where volunteers must travel to a clinical research site, these travel expenses will be handled separately and not included in the application budget limitation. We encourage all investigators at every professional level to submit their best ideas for advancing the state of knowledge about Barth syndrome so that progress can be made in finding a specific treatment or cure for this unusual mitochondrial disease. There are no geographical limitations to this funding.
Background
Barth syndrome (BTHS) is a serious X-linked genetic condition associated with cardiomyopathy, neutropenia, skeletal muscle weakness, exercise intolerance, growth delay, and diverse biochemical abnormalities (including defects in mitochondrial metabolism and phospholipid biosynthesis). Because many clinical and biochemical abnormalities of Barth syndrome remain poorly understood, we are seeking proposals for both basic science and clinical research that may shed light on any aspect of the syndrome. We are determined to find improved treatments—and ultimately a cure—for this rare and under-diagnosed disorder.
Types of Proposals Sought
We are interested in providing “seed grant funding” to young investigators as well as attracting experienced investigators new to the field of BTHS basic science or clinical research. We anticipate that these funds will be used for the testing of initial hypotheses and the collection of preliminary data leading to successful long-term funding by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other major granting institutions around the world.
Process
We have a competitive grant process. Applications should be of 10–15 pages in length and must follow the instructions listed on the BSF website. In general terms, detailed information about the specific aims, significance, research design and methods, personnel, facilities, and budget will be required, along with evidence of application to the relevant Institutional Review Board for any work involving human subjects or to the Animal Use and Protection Committee for any work involving animal subjects.
Completed proposals will be forwarded to the BSF Scientific and Medical Advisory Board (as well as to expert outside reviewers) for evaluation. Based on the recommendations of the BSF Scientific and Medical Advisory Board, the BSF Board of Directors will make the final funding decisions for the grant applications. Once the final funding decisions are made, BSF affiliates will decide which, if any, of the approved grants they would like to fund. Please review our “Grants Awarded” webpage for a listing of grants that BSF and its affiliates have awarded to date.
Funding
We anticipate awarding several one-, one-and-a-half-, or two-year grants of up to US $40,000 each. Funds will be available soon after the successful grant applicants have been notified in early March, 2013.
Deadline
The deadline for submission of the completed research grant application is October 31, 2012, and grants will be awarded in early March, 2013.
Contact Information
Matthew J. Toth, PhD
Science Director
Barth Syndrome Foundation, Inc.
matthew.toth[at]barthsyndrome.org
mtothbsf[at]comcast.net
bsfinfo[at]barthsyndrome.org |