Made possible with funding from the Illinois Department of Public Health

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is pleased to announce a research initiative designed to accelerate research focused on repair of the nervous system and rehabilitation in MS in the state of Illinois. The goal of this initiative is to promote innovative research targeting approaches to restore normal function in individuals with MS by: (1) stopping the destruction of myelin and axons and restoring their function or (2) developing new rehabilitation techniques and symptomatic treatments to restore neurological function and enhance quality of life in people with MS.

Support for this special initiative is limited to a maximum of $100,000 in direct costs for one (1) year.
This Request for Applications (RFA) is supported by special funds from the Illinois Department of Public Health and is restricted to applicants from Illinois based institutions. It is anticipated that as many as 10 grants may be awarded in 2013. Awards will be contingent on the availability of funds and the receipt of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

TIMELINES

March 15, 2013 Full Applications Due
May 2013 Announcement of Funding Decisions 
July 1, 2013 Anticipated Start Date of Funding

ELIGIBILITY

It is expected that the Principal Investigator (PI) be personally and actively responsible for the conduct of the research and is considered eligible by his or her institution to apply for a research grant. The PI must be affiliated with and the research conducted in an academically-centered institution in the State of Illinois; however US citizenship is not required.

CONDITIONS

Awarded projects will be administered by the National MS Society and will be subject to the Society’s policies and procedures for funding programs. Support for proposals submitted in response to this RFA is limited to a maximum of $100,000 in direct costs for one year. Purchase of major items of equipment and use of funds for travel will not be permitted. The grantee institution may add an amount for indirect costs up to 10% of the sum requested by the principal investigator.

The proposal should include a project timeline. The institution will be required to provide a monthly accounting of expenses as well as quarterly research and financial progress reports to the Society. A final written report of the work accomplished and an accounting of expenditures will be required within 30 days after the project terminates. The grantee institution will also be required to comply with the Society’s invention policy. Other conditions of this award can be found in the Research Grants section of the Society’s policies and procedures document.

PREPARATION OF APPLICATION

The Society utilizes a Web-based utility for the submission of grant applications. Investigators must first register with our online application site (www.mssocietyapplyonline.org) and complete a pre-application. Your pre-application will be reviewed to determine whether the research plan is appropriate and relevant to the goals of this special research initiative. Your grant application can be submitted only after approval of the pre-application.

The application should be concise, with the project description strictly limited to five (5) pages. The application should consist of:

• a. Scientific Summary of Research Proposal: A summary of the scientific proposal, typically including the specific aims.
• b. Lay Summary: A summary of your research proposal understandable for readers who are not scientists or health care professionals.
• c. Budget and Budget Justification. Details and justification of all budget items relative to the proposed research should be provided. Applicants may request funds for maximum of one (1) year of support, not exceeding $100,000 in direct costs. The budget is part of the Research Proposal section that is uploaded from the Apply Online site. Investigators may request the funds in the following categories: salaries for personnel, patient costs, consumable supplies, other expenditures, and indirect costs. Please view the Society’s policies and procedures under Research Grants to determine what is considered acceptable.
• d. Biographical Sketches. Brief 2-page biosketch of the PI and key co-investigators must be included. This should include a list of relevant publications.
• e. Research Project Description: Provide concise research proposal not exceeding 5 single-spaced pages, including a project timeline. 12 point font size must be used.
• f. Work Plan and Timeline. Provide a concise list of outcomes and quarterly milestones.
• g. Relevance to MS and RFA: In a special section of the Research Proposal, describe in 200 words or less the relevance of your research proposal to MS and to the goals outlined in this RFA.

REVIEW

The review will be conducted by a special review panel convened by the NMSS. The review criteria for the application include:

• Strengths and weaknesses of the research proposal
• Expertise of the investigators
• Appropriateness of the resources and environment
• Appropriateness of the budget requested
• Relevance to MS and to this RFA

Download Request for Applications (.pdf)