Funding for Seed or Pilot Research Projects

These awards support initial testing phases, allowing researchers to embark on smaller-scale endeavors. The emphasis lies in evaluating feasibility and refining methodologies, shaping the trajectory of potential larger-scale studies. Through this funding mechanism, they empower researchers to take innovative ideas from conception to a vital stage of validation, contributing to the advancement of knowledge and discovery. They seek to fund rigorous, high-quality research studies in efforts to fulfill the foundation’s mission enthusiastically.

The T2RF research grant cycle 4 is the ongoing commitment to the cultivation of resources that accelerate scientific advancements for TDD while facilitating the next generation of TDD rare disease researchers. The T2RF research grant funds research that is innovative, collaborative and translational to positively impact treatments and potential cures for those affected by TDD. The funding provides a platform to celebrate these scientists, spread awareness of their efforts, and highlight the importance of their research and its impact on the TDD community.

Priority Topics for Proposals

• Understanding cellular response to therapeutics (e.g. drug, nutrition, and gene therapies)
• Optimizing nutrition in those affected by TDD (e.g. optimization of B vitamins)
• Understanding, managing and avoiding the life-threatening symptoms of TDD (e.g. metabolic crises, rhabdomyolysis)
• Improving affected patients’ function, quality of life, and independence (e.g. language, behavior, movement and neurological symptoms of TDD) Development and Validation of Process Outcome Measures.

T2RF funds two types of Research Grants

• Single-Institution – This grant supports a research initiative within a single institution that may or may not involve multiple research investigators and/or a multi-departmental research team.
• Multi-Institution – This grant supports a collaborative research initiative conducted in conjunction with an institution(s) or with personnel not affiliated with the awarded PI/PD’s academic/research institution.

Funding Information

• This funding cycle T2RF will fund projects via the following mechanisms, by either a:
  • Single-institution (single or multi-PI) – Award amount up to $25,000 USD
    • This grant supports a research initiative within a single institution that may or may not involve multiple research investigators and/or a multi-departmental research team.
  • Multi-institutional (multi-PI) – Award amount up to $50,000 USD
    • This grant supports a collaborative research initiative conducted in conjunction with an institution(s) or with personnel not affiliated with the awarded PI/PD’s academic/research institution.
    • Joint proposals within and outside the US are encouraged
• Indirect costs are unallowable
• 1-year grant duration (7/1/2024 – 6/30/2025). No-cost extensions (NCE) can be requested and are subject to foundation approval.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for this grant funding:
  • A clinical, basic, or community researcher with a terminal degree (MD, DO, Ph.D., NP, or international equivalent) working in an academic medical institution or nonprofit/research institution.
  • At least 3 years experience of initiating and leading (PD/PI or Co-I roles) rare disease research is preferred.
  • Eligible applicants who will be named as the project’s Principal Investigator are allowed to hold only one grant from T2RF per funding cycle. Note PD/PIs can be listed as a Co-Investigator (CO-I) on other collaborative project LOIs and proposals.
  • Postdoctoral researchers are not eligible to apply unless they can provide a letter of employment verifying they will begin a faculty position at, or equivalent to, the assistant professor level by the beginning of the funding period in Fall 2024.

For more information, visit TANGO2 Research Foundation.