ALS Association

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OVERVIEW: The ALS Association dedicates the majority of its funding to new drug discoveries and improved therapies toward ALS treatments.

IP TAKE: The ALS Association is an important source of funding for early-career and established researchers conducting clinical and translational research on ALS. The association accepts applications or letters of intent for each of its programs, but eligibility, guidelines and due dates vary significantly by program. Moreover, specific progams can change focus from year to year; grantseekers are advised to sign up for the organization’s newsletter to stay abreast of changes and new opportunities. While these awards are highly competitive, the application process is transparent and straightforward.

PROFILE: The ALS Association is on a singular mission to rid the world of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a devastating neurodegenerative disease, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Since 1985, the association has spearheaded the search for cures, along with raising awareness, advocating for increased public policy and private sector support, and supporting quality-of-life initiatives for ALS sufferers. The association funds grants and fellowships prioritizing focus areas including Genetics, Drug Development, Disease Mechanisms, Stem Cells, Nanotechnology, Disease Models, Clinical Studies, Cognitive Studies, Assistive Technologies, Biomarkers, Environmental Factors and Precision Medicine.

Grants for Diseases, Brain and Cell Research

The ALS Association’s grant opportunities for ALS research change yearly. Current grant programs include the following:

  • Prevention Grants support translational and validation research supporting existing knowledge about ALS prevention “with the goal of impacting clinical care by 2030.” Two-year grants are awarded for a maximum of $400,000.

  • Clinical Research Training Scholarships in ALS are awarded in collaboration with the American Brain Foundation and the American Academy of Neurology. These scholarships support clinical research studies by early career investigators with $75,000 a year for two years. The scholarships are awarded annually with a due date in September each year.

  • Clinical Research Training Scholarships in ALS and Related Disorders are funded in collaboration with the American Brain Foundation and the CReATe Consortium and support “young investigators engaged in clinical research focused on ALS, ALS-FTD, PLS, PMA, and HSP.” The award consists of $75,000 annually for two years. Applications are generally due in September of each year.

  • Richard Olney Clinician Scientist Development Awards in ALS are also funded in collaboration with the American Brain Foundation and support clinical research in ALS by early career investigators. The award consists of $75,000 a year for three years. Applications are due in September.

  • The Clinical Trial Awards Program supports research on “early-stage interventional clinical trials to discover new treatments and cures” for ALS. The Awards support two- or three-year projects with grants of up to $1 million total. Letters of intent for this program are due in April of each year.

  • The Lawrence and Isabel Barnett Drug Development Program funds research on treatments for ALS involving new or repurposed drugs, biological therapies and gene therapies. Grants are awarded for a maximum of two years for amounts of up to $500,000. Letters of intent for this program are due in March of each year.

  • The Milton Safenowitz Postdoctoral Fellowship Program “supports the development of new scientists in the field of ALS by funding junior postdoctoral fellows doing research of high scientific merit and relevance” to the field of ALS. Fellowships consist of $150,000 disbursed over a two-year period. Letters of intent for this program are usually due in March.

Important Grant Details:

The ALS association’s grants and fellowships are awarded in set amounts each year, and some awards are funded in collaboration with other organizations. Grants and fellowships range from $75,000 to $1 million, with larger sums supporting more experienced researchers and teams involved in high stakes ALS research. For additional information about past grantees, see the association’s awards search database.

This funder accepts applications and/or letters of intent for each of its grant and fellowship programs, but guidelines, eligibility and due dates vary significantly by program. Grantseekers should review program pages carefully before submitting materials. Inquiries may be directed to the association via email or telephone at (800) 782-4747.

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