Deadline: 15-Nov-2025
The CMT Research Foundation is requesting applications for its Pilot Grant Program to support early-career researchers in the conduct of research projects aimed at testing innovative ideas to expand and advance drug development for Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease.
The core goals of the ERA program Pilot Grants are to engage and recruit new talent and thinking to CMT research, encourage the exploration of new or innovative ideas in CMT research, and generate meaningful preliminary data that can be used to launch larger CMT research projects.
Research projects must include innovative approaches that address major challenges or gaps that exist for CMT drug development and focus on one of the following Priority Areas: improving drug delivery to the PNS, identifying new therapeutics or drug targets, translating research to the clinic, and other areas that can have a strong impact on CMT drug development.
These grants aim to encourage new ideas not previously explored or funded, with the possibility of follow-on funding for successful projects. The funding amount available is up to $75,000 for a one-year duration, with salary support capped at 50% of the total request. Applicants may also include up to $1,500 for travel, which is encouraged for attendance at a future Global CMT Research Convention. Indirect costs cannot exceed 10% of the total budget and must be justified.
Projects may be based in academic, non-profit, or industry settings, with academic-industry collaborations encouraged but not mandatory. Applicants from all countries are eligible to apply, provided their research aligns with the priority areas outlined by CMTRF.
Eligible applicants must hold a doctoral degree (MD, PhD, etc.) obtained within the last ten years from the date of application. Postdoctoral applicants require a letter of support from a PI sponsor or mentor, while early-career investigators must demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research or operate their own lab by September 2026.
Applicants are encouraged to submit an optional Letter of Intent (LOI) before the full proposal to receive feedback from CMTRF staff and the ERA committee. LOIs, accepted starting October 15, 2024, should include applicant information, PI sponsor details if applicable, project focus areas, title, budget estimate, and a two to three-page project summary covering rationale, aims, preliminary results, research plan, timeframe, and references.
The deadline for applications is 15 November 2025.
For more information, visit CMT Research Foundation.
