Applications are now being accepted for this program at grants.pdf.org.

(Application period closes 11:59 PM, Monday, February 2, 2009)

The International Research Grants Program (IRGP) is designed to promote innovative research that has a high potential to significantly advance the knowledge of Parkinson’s disease (PD) but little likelihood of securing funding through more traditional sources. By supporting novel, “high risk/high reward” research, the goal of the IRGP is to enable investigators to demonstrate the feasibility of their ideas while generating preliminary data necessary for the support of future funding. This year, PDF is capitalizing on the success of the IRGP by increasing the size and duration of the grants awarded.  IRGP awards will now reach a maximum of  $75,000 per year for two years (compared to the previous maximum of $50,000 for only one year of research), subject to review of first year progress.  

Program Overview

At its core, research supported by the IRGP must be directly relevant to the treatment and/or understanding of Parkinson’s disease.  Successful IRGP projects are:

• Novel research hypotheses of Parkinson’s disease;
• Inventive in terms of methodology or approach; and
• Clinical, preclinical, or basic research proposals that will directly impact Parkinson’s disease or its treatment.

IRGP awards will now reach a maximum of $75,000 per year for two years (compared to the previous maximum of $50,000 per year for one year of research), subject to review of first year progress.  Research grants are now also eligible for an additional ten percent in indirect costs.

Eligibility

The IRGP is open to applicants both nationally and internationally and basic, translational and clinical research proposals are eligible for support. All applicants must possess a Ph.D. or a M.D. (or equivalent).  Preference will be given to scientists who are at an early stage in their professional careers.

Restrictions

Investigators who receive funding from PDF may not receive funding for other projects supported by PDF during the same year, nor receive funding from other foundations or institutions for the same project during that year.

Application Instructions, Deadlines & Funding Dates

All applications must be submitted online through the PDF website; no paper copies will be accepted.  Visit grants.pdf.org to create an account, see more detailed instructions and submit your application.

The deadline for submission of grant applications will be 11:59 PM EST on February 2, 2009.

All proposals for IRGP awards are peer-reviewed and competitively ranked based upon scientific merit and its impact upon Parkinson’s disease.  Final decisions are expected by mid-April 2009.

First year funding will commence July 1, 2009 and ends June 30, 2010. Continued funding into the award’s second year is subject to rigorous review of research during the first year.

In the event funding is recommended and approved for an applicant, please be advised that any and all equipment budgeted in the proposal and purchased with funds provided by the PDF Grant Program will be the property of the sponsoring institution and will remain there in the event the investigator should leave said institution.

Applicants who successfully receive PDF funding for their research are required to identify the Parkinson's Disease Foundation as a source of support in all published works and presentations.