End AxD Announces New Grant Program to Accelerate Alexander Disease Research
The End Alexander Disease Foundation (End AxD), a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating research into treatments and a cure for Alexander Disease (AxD) and supporting patients and families, is pleased to announce the launch of its new grant program. This initiative aims to provide seed funding to scientists focusing on Alexander Disease, fostering innovative research that can lead to larger grants and pharmaceutical investment.
Alexander disease (AxD), a leukodystrophy, is a progressive and usually fatal neurological disorder in which the destruction of white matter in the brain is accompanied by the formation of abnormal deposits known as Rosenthal fibers. Rosenthal fibers are aggregations of protein that occur in astrocytes, which are critical support cells of the brain.
Alexander Disease (AxD) offers a unique window into many neurodegenerative diseases and leukodystrophies due to the central role of Astrocytes. Research into AxD isn't just vital for the affected community; it could provide insights into the mechanisms underlying a spectrum of neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The End AxD grant program will be overseen by the new Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), a distinguished group of experts chaired by Dr. Albee Messing. The SAC's mission is to identify unmet needs, prioritize future research directions, and maintain scientific rigor in evaluating research proposals.
End AxD is interested in all aspects of therapeutic research, from basic mechanisms to translational studies and current clinical practices. The program especially encourages projects aimed at generating strong preliminary data to support future applications for larger funding from government agencies or pharmaceutical partners.
"On behalf of the End AxD Board of Directors, I am proud to see the launch of this program. It is made possible only by the unwavering support from the patient community in raising funds and decades of research by brilliant scientists who have laid the foundation. We firmly believe that robust scientific inquiry is the path to discovering potential treatments and ultimately a cure for Alexander Disease. We are also immensely grateful for the expertise and commitment of our Scientific Advisory Committee; their guidance is instrumental in shaping our research initiatives and ensuring our investments yield the greatest impact." — Thomas Wagner, Member of the End AxD Board of Directors
To be eligible Principal Investigators (PIs) must be associated with a non-profit or academic institution that provides appropriate oversight for finances, safety, animals, and human subjects research. PIs must hold a faculty appointment equivalent to assistant professor or higher.
Grants will typically range from $50,000 to $100,000 in direct costs for 1-2 years. Projects requesting two years of support will require a mid-term assessment detailing accomplishments from year one and updated plans for year two.
Applications will be accepted once a year according to the following schedule:
Letter of Intent (LOI) due: August 8
Full Proposal due: September 30
Review completed by: December 1
Funding available by: January 1 of the next year
The SAC will review proposals, providing written critiques and overall recommendations. Funding decisions will be officially made by the End AxD Board based on SAC recommendations.
End AxD looks forward to collaborating with researchers to make a meaningful difference in Alexander Disease research and, by extension, contribute to broader neurological science. We encourage all eligible researchers to apply and join us in this vital mission.
For more information about application guidelines, including detailed submission instructions, please visit www.endaxd.org/grant-program.
