Request for Proposals Olney Next Generation Clinician Scientist Grant in ALS 2026, Every breakthrough in brain disease research has the potential to reach far beyond a single diagnosis. A discovery that helps us understand one disease may illuminate the biology of another; a new way to detect disease may open the door to earlier intervention elsewhere; and a promising therapeutic strategy may ultimately benefit patients across multiple neurological conditions. This is the vision behind the American Brain Foundation’s Next Generation Research Grants (NGRGs) and its Cure One, Cure Many philosophy: by investing in bold, high-quality research today, we can accelerate progress against many brain diseases tomorrow.
Through the NGRG program, the American Brain Foundation supports the next generation of investigators pursuing innovative approaches to understanding, treating, and ultimately curing neurological disease. In collaboration with disease-focused partner organizations, these grants provide early-career researchers with the opportunity to advance promising ideas while building the foundation for discoveries that can have a broader impact.
The ALS-focused NGRG is a three-year award designed to support clinical or preclinical research in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The grant welcomes early-career investigators working to unravel the mechanisms that drive ALS, improve how the disease is diagnosed, or develop new approaches to treatment. Importantly, the opportunity extends beyond ALS itself: proposed research should have the potential to reveal insights, tools, or therapeutic strategies that could be relevant to other diseases.
At its heart, this grant recognizes that ALS is not an isolated scientific problem. The biological pathways, cellular vulnerabilities, and mechanisms uncovered through ALS research may hold clues to a much wider range of neurological diseases. By supporting investigators who can connect discovery in ALS to broader questions in brain health, the program seeks to transform focused research into far-reaching impact.
Funded jointly by The ALS Association and the American Brain Foundation and administered by the American Brain Foundation, this three-year award represents an investment not only in innovative ALS research, but also in the scientists who will shape the future of neurological discovery.
Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the full details and submit their applications before the specified deadline to seize this grant opportunity.
Last Date of Submission: 8th October 2026
Request for Proposals Olney Next Generation Clinician Scientist Grant in ALS 2026
About This Grant
This three-year award is designed to advance clinical and preclinical research in ALS, focusing on early career investigators. The grant aims to support researchers exploring disease mechanisms, diagnostics, or treatments that could have broader implications beyond ALS, potentially benefiting other neurological disorders as well.
Funding is provided by The ALS Association and the American Brain Foundation and managed by the American Brain Foundation. The award offers $80,000 annually, totaling $240,000 over three years. Of this amount, $75,000 is designated for salary support, and $5,000 is allocated for research-related expenses. Importantly, these funds must be used directly for the proposed project, with no support for indirect costs. Applicants may supplement this grant with other awards, provided total funding does not exceed $80,000 per year.
Request for Proposals Olney Next Generation Clinician Scientist Grant in ALS 2026
Eligibility
Applicants must be clinician-investigators holding an MD, PhD, or equivalent terminal research degree. They should have completed their clinical residency or PhD from 2020 onwards. Both US and international institutions are eligible, with no citizenship restrictions. Multiple applications from the same institution are permitted, but applicants cannot apply for both this grant and the Next Generation Research Grant in ALS in the same cycle. All applications are reviewed with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion, reflecting the full spectrum of individuals affected by ALS.
Evaluation & Selection
Applications will be reviewed by a panel of experts based on:
- Scientific rationale, innovation, and methodological rigor
- Potential clinical impact and translational potential
- Alignment with grant priorities
- Investigator’s expertise and independence potential
- Feasibility and contingency planning
- Mentorship quality and commitment to career development
Application Process
All materials must be submitted via ProposalCentral by 5:00 PM CT on October 8, 2026. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered. Ensure all institutional, ethical, and regulatory approvals are secured before the start date.
Required Materials
Lay Summary: A 250-word non-technical description emphasizing the project’s significance and potential impact on patients and families.
Alignment Statement: Up to 500 words connecting your project to ALS research goals and the ABF’s philosophy.
Career Development Plan: A one-page PDF outlining your research goals, skill development, dissemination plans, mentorship support, and how this grant fits your career trajectory.
Research Plan: Up to three pages detailing aims, background, methodology, and preliminary data.
NIH Biosketch: Current NIH biosketch in PDF.
Letter of Support: From your mentor, addressing project fit, expertise, mentorship, and your research potential.
Institutional Support: Confirmation from your department chair or institutional official regarding protected research time.
This grant offers a transformative opportunity to early-career researchers dedicated to understanding and combating ALS, with the potential to influence both scientific discovery and patient care.
What makes a strong application:
Reviewers have identified the following characteristics of competitive applications:
- Well-developed hypothesis: The hypothesis is testable and clearly stated.
- Detailed statistical plan: Statistical methods are well-designed and appropriate for the proposed aims.
- Strong mentorship: The application demonstrates committed mentorship with relevant expertise.
- Feasible aims: Each aim is focused, achievable within the award period, and logically structured.
- Innovation: The proposed work is original, has potential relevance for multiple diseases/conditions and
will advance the applicant’s long-term career goals.
- Well-defined training plan: There is a clear, gap-based career development plan.
Page 5 | Rev. July 2026
- Clear articulation: The application is clearly written and the project is well communicated.
How to apply?
For questions about this RFP or the application process, please contact the American Brain
Foundation at grants@americanbrainfoundation.org.
For questions about the application platform, contact ProposalCentral support at
pcsupport@altum.com.
Note: For more comprehensive details click the link below
Get full access to the grant information, visit the Official Website Link
FAQs
- Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Applicants must be clinician-investigators with an MD, PhD, or equivalent terminal research degree who have completed their clinical residency or PhD from 2020 or later. Both US and international researchers at accredited institutions are eligible to apply. There are no citizenship restrictions.
- What does the funding cover, and are there any restrictions?
The grant provides $80,000 per year for three years, totaling $240,000. Of this, $75,000 is for salary support and $5,000 is for research expenses. The funds must be used directly for the proposed project; indirect costs are not supported. Applicants can supplement this grant with other awards, but total funding cannot exceed $80,000 annually.
- Can I apply for more than one grant from the same institution?
Yes, multiple applications from the same institution are permitted. However, an applicant cannot apply for both this grant and the Next Generation Research Grant in ALS in the same application cycle. You should choose the grant that best fits your career stage and proposed project.
- What materials are required for the application?
Key materials include a lay summary, a statement of project alignment, a career development plan, a detailed research plan, NIH biosketch, a letter of support from your mentor, and institutional support confirmation. All materials must be submitted via ProposalCentral by October 8, 2026.
- How are applications evaluated?
Applications are reviewed by a panel of experts based on scientific rationale, innovation, clinical relevance, investigator expertise, feasibility, mentorship, and alignment with research priorities. The review process emphasizes the potential impact on ALS and broader neurodegenerative research.
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