About

The Michael Lundquist Grant to Advance MSA-C Research, offered through the National Ataxia Foundation’s Annual Research Grant Program, provides annual support for innovative projects that advance treatment and care for individuals affected by multiple system atrophy, cerebellar subtype (MSA-C). Honoring the legacy of Michael Lundquist, this program seeks to accelerate the development of disease-modifying therapies, strengthen clinical trial readiness, and improve diagnostic methods while deepening the mechanistic understanding of MSA-C pathogenesis.

Funding is available for preclinical, translational, or clinical research directly focused on MSA-C, though proposals may include aspects relevant to other forms of ataxia. Priority is given to projects that bridge scientific discovery with therapeutic application, support biomarker discovery and validation, and introduce novel approaches to improve patient outcomes.

The award provides $50,000 USD for a one-year period (September 1, 2027 – August 31, 2028), covering direct research expenses only. Eligible costs include salary or stipend support (up to $25,000), laboratory reagents and supplies, essential equipment (up to 20% of the budget), animal purchase and care, publication costs (up to $2,500), investigator registration and travel for scientific meetings or collaboration visits (up to $2,000), and patient-related expenses directly tied to the study. Indirect costs, fringe benefits, tuition, relocation, and other unallowable expenses are not permitted.

Eligibility

Applicants must have completed postdoctoral training and hold a full-time appointment as a faculty member, clinical fellow, or senior scientist at an academic institution, nonprofit, or for-profit company. Both U.S. and international researchers are eligible to apply. However, individuals who have received any NAF grant within the past two fiscal years, currently hold an active NAF grant under a no-cost extension, or are delinquent with NAF grant reporting requirements are ineligible. Previous recipients of the Michael Lundquist Grant to Advance MSA-C Research are also excluded.

Applicants may not apply for or receive duplicate funding for the same research aims, and only one Letter of Intent (LOI) may be submitted per funding cycle. All proposals undergo expert peer review, with funding decisions based on scientific merit, innovation, and potential impact on advancing MSA-C research.

Post Date: September 17, 2026