Basic Biology Consortia
Given the high unmet need for treating all ALS patients, we are soliciting proposals focused on understanding the fundamental biology of genetic and sporadic forms of ALS to help uncover the next wave of therapeutic targets. We are seeking applications from multidisciplinary groups with novel and innovative methods in convergent and complimentary multi-omic approaches, and applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
This call is focused on bringing investigators together to work collaboratively on ALS biology with the aim of identifying novel therapeutic targets for ALS.
Key Dates
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December 17 2025 LOI due at 11:59pm Pacific Time
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January 1 2026 Invitation to submit proposals
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February 25 2026 Proposals due
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May 1 2026 Final decision announced
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June 1 2026 Funds released
What we’re funding
Although all groups studying disease mechanisms and novel targets for ALS are eligible to apply, Target ALS is particularly interested in supporting projects that propose the study of:
- selective resilience and vulnerability
- role of central and peripheral inflammation
- altered neuronal trafficking
- lipid dysregulation
- role of RNA dysregulation in neurodegeneration
- genetic risk factors
- upstream pathways leading to TDP-43 mislocalization/aggregation
Confidentiality of investigator’s data, research, and intellectual property will be strictly honored. Target ALS does not seek ownership of any intellectual property or financial gains that result on the basis of its funding.
Who Should Apply
This call is focused on bringing investigators together to work collaboratively on ALS biology with the aim of identifying novel therapeutic targets for ALS. Only collaborative projects will be considered.
- Collaborative projects for this call comprise groups of 3-5 laboratories working around a common theme or target.
- Target ALS aims to enrich ALS research by engaging with investigators who bring new technologies and core expertise in scientific disciplines to the community. We encourage project proposals to include investigators who are new to ALS research (e.g. who have never published on ALS)
- All collaborators must provide a copy of the executed agreement between their institutions on data/IP sharing OR provide a document that confirms each Technology Transfer Office has been made aware of the collaborative project and the need to sign a data/IP sharing agreement as part of the full proposal submission. NOTE: A fully executed data/IP sharing agreement must be shared within 60 days of notification of award, or the grant will be rescinded.
- A Principal Investigator can only participate in one LOI submission.
- Principal Investigators who have two or more active competitive grants from Target ALS at the time of the LOI due date are not eligible to apply.
What Our Grants Support
- Funding to cover the following project components:
- Researcher salaries and fringe benefits
- Lab supplies, materials, and equipment
- Research associated costs up to 15% of the award (e.g. lab’s rent)
- Access to Target ALS core facilities.
- A speaker slot at the Target ALS annual meeting, held in Boston, MA. This meeting provides an immersive experience in cutting edge ALS research and offers an opportunity to network with leaders from academia, pharma/biotech, venture capital and other non-profits.
- Grant structure
- $130,000 per lab, per year maximum.
- The total budget for a collaborative project cannot exceed a maximum of $500,000 per year.
- The grant will be for a two-year period.