Deadline: October 30, 2020

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is inviting applications for its Impact Research Grants program.

Through the program, three grants of up to $50,000 over two years will be awarded in support of projects that support inquiry and systematic research aimed at generating new knowledge with respect to ensuring the safety of and excellent care for critically ill patients and their families. The grants also are intended to facilitate research in support of other AACN priorities, such as describing the impact of family presence, influencing nurse certification, and implementing standards for healthy work environments.

To be eligible, PIs must be an AACN member and hold an earned master’s degree or have completed candidacy requirements in a BSN-to-PhD or DNP program.

See the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses website for complete program guidelines and application instructions. Link to complete RFP

LOI Deadline: October 9, 2020

The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation welcomes Letters of Intent for its Neuroimaging and CSF Biomarker Development Program.

According to ADDF, the RFP is focused on developing novel PET ligands for clinical use; supporting novel CSF biomarkers; and validating established MRI approaches in larger cohorts. Novel biomarkers of neuroinflammation and synaptic integrity are considered a high priority. Other target areas of interest include neuronal loss, vascular injury and blood-brain barrier integrity, mitochondria and metabolic function, protein misfolding/proteostasis, oxidative stress, white matter changes, and other novel targets supported by compelling biological rationale and connection to disease. ADDF has limited interest in CSF measures of amyloid and tau.

Grants of up to $600,000 will be awarded in support of the advancement of neuroimaging and CSF biomarkers that can do one or more of the following:

Demonstrate Target Engagement for Novel Therapeutics — Biomarkers that can serve as direct measures of target engagement for novel drugs in clinical development. Priority will be given to projects advancing biomarkers that can be used as specific companion biomarkers for therapies currently in the development pipeline; identification of such therapies will strengthen an application.

Detect Signs of Disease Earlier and Monitor Progression — Programs aimed at developing sensitive biomarkers that can detect disease earlier than currently available biomarkers. This includes biomarkers that can predict and monitor conversion from cognitively healthy to mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or MCI to Alzheimer’s disease. ADDF also seeks prognostic markers that can predict rates of cognitive decline.

More Accurately Diagnose and Distinguish Between Dementia Subtypes — Many types of dementia can present with similar clinical features, and patients often show overlapping pathologies. At present, it is challenging to distinguish between dementia subtypes and proteinopathies. Biomarkers that can distinguish between subtypes and stratify patients in clinical trials are a high priority.

Eligible applicants include researchers and clinicians at academic medical centers, universities, nonprofits, and biotechnology companies worldwide. Existing companies and new spinouts also are eligible, and industry partnerships are strongly encouraged.

Letters of Intent are due October 9. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal by November 6, 2020.

See the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation website for complete program details, eligibility criteria, and a link to the application portal.Link to complete RFP

The Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation supports innovative projects that help youth with disabilities develop the leadership and employment skills they need to succeed, as well as projects aimed at creating tools that help break down barriers to employment and increase job opportunities for young people with disabilities entering the workforce, including returning veterans.

To that end, grants ranging between $10,000 and $100,000 over three years will be awarded in support of innovative approaches to preparing youth with disabilities for employment. Projects should develop youth leadership and employment skills and/or create tools for employers that help break down barriers and increase employment opportunities for youth and veterans with disabilities, promote the full-inclusion of youth with disabilities alongside their peers without disabilities, and promote inclusive, competitive employment practices. Projects should be national in scope or have a definite plan for national dissemination and replication. The foundation typically awards six to twelve grants a year.

The foundation defines “youth” as being from birth through college-age (about 26).

See the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation website for complete program guidelines, application instructions, and an eligibility quiz. Link to complete RFP