DSF Research Grant Programs

DSF’s Research Grant Programs offers funding for research directly related to Dravet syndrome and associated disorders.

DSF Research Grant Programs

2023 Applications are due Friday, September 8, 2023

DSF’s Research Grant Programs offers funding for research directly related to Dravet syndrome and associated disorders. These grants fund initial research hypotheses that have not been fully explored. The results extracted from this type of research will help bring untested research to the point that it can qualify for larger governmental funding. Research applications are judged principally on novelty of the hypotheses, innovative approaches with a direct relevance and application to Dravet syndrome and related epilepsies, scientific quality, strength of approach, and likelihood of success. Applications undergo a rigorous NIH-style scientific review process and final decisions are made by the DSF Board of Directors, ensuring projects funded by DSF meet high scientific standards and align with the most pressing needs of the patient community. Research Grant Awardees are required to give updates on their work throughout the grant cycle and present their findings at our annual Research Roundtable meeting.

DSF offers five types of grant programs: Transformational Science Grants, Research Grants, Clinical Research Grants, Postdoctoral Fellowships, and Clinician-Researcher Awards.

2023 Basic and Translational Priority Areas include:

Understanding the mechanisms of epileptogenesis in Dravet syndrome
Development of enhanced models to study Dravet syndrome
Understanding of the cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms that contribute to the pathogenesis of Dravet syndrome
Revealing causes and interventions for seizures and comorbidities in Dravet syndrome
Understanding causes and developing interventions for SUDEP
Development of novel treatments and interventions that will prevent the onset or halt the progression of Dravet syndrome; this includes research that may overcome the current size and delivery hurdles for gene-therapy approaches

2023 Clinical Priority Areas include:

Research that helps identify patient trends, characteristics, epidemiology, or other clinical aspects of Dravet syndrome and/or its comorbidities
Research that helps to understand, predict, and prevent SUDEP
Research that will encourage the development of novel therapies to prevent onset or halt the progression of the Dravet syndrome

Click on the buttons below to learn more about each type of grant.

Award: $500,000 over 3 years

Eligibility:

MD, PhD, DO, or equivalent degree
Independent investigator affiliated with an academic or research institution (Awards are not given to private companies)
Faculty appointment or offer letter and department/institution commitment of resources and space
US citizenship not required

Indirects: Not to exceed 10% of total award

Award: $250,000 over 2 years

Eligibility:

MD, PhD, DO, or equivalent degree
Independent investigator affiliated with an academic or research institution (Awards are not given to private companies)
Faculty appointment or offer letter and department/institution commitment of resources and space
US citizenship not required

Indirects: Not to exceed 10% of total award

Award: $250,000 over 2 years

Eligibility:

MD, PhD, DO, or equivalent degree
Project has a clinical focus, utilizing patient data
Independent investigator affiliated with an academic or research institution (Awards are not given to private companies)
Faculty appointment or offer letter and department/institution commitment of resources and space
US citizenship not required

Indirects: Not to exceed 10% of total award

Award: $75,000 for one year

Eligibility:

MD, DO, or equivalent
Active U.S. medical license
Eligible applicants include full-time medical residents, fellows, early-career clinicians, or established clinicians lacking research experience who are affiliated with an academic or research institution on or before the start date of the award. (Awards are not made to private companies)
Applicant should have a direct research mentor with experience in the proposed area of research
Not the PI of a current multi-year research grant >$225,000, a current R01 research grant or equivalent, or any other fellowship (with the exception of NIH Career Development Awards)
U.S. citizenship is not required.

Award: $75,000 for one year

Eligibility:

Hold a Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Science, or equivalent degree.
Be a clinical or post-doctoral fellow at an appropriate institution before or by the start date of the fellowship.
Have an acceptable research plan directed towards the purpose of DSF’s research program
Have access to institutional resources to conduct the proposed research project.
Not have previously been awarded a DSF Post-Doctoral Research Training Fellowship.
Academic faculty holding the rank of Adjunct Professor, Research Assistant, Assistant or Associate Professor are not eligible, nor are graduate or medical students, medical residents, permanent government employees, or employees of private industry.
Individuals receiving a fellowship from another source are not eligible to receive DSF funding.
US Citizenship is not required.