Batten Disease Clinical Research Consortium (BDCRC) Early Career Investigator Grant

Purpose: 
The mission of the Batten Disease Clinical Research Consortium (BDCRC) is to establish and maintain a multi-site clinical and translational research program that drives rigorous and reproducible science, high data quality, operational efficiency, and strong community partnership, in service of creating novel neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) therapies, continuously improving care standards, and advancing knowledge. The Early Career Investigator Grant (ECIG) addresses training needs in rare disease research by providing highly specialized education in the complexities of clinical research in the NCLs. We expect the ECIG will accelerate the careers of emerging investigators who have demonstrated exceptional potential to become independent clinician-scientists.
 
Eligibility:
We are seeking to support two post-graduate clinician investigators with interests across the translational science continuum to conduct innovative research to advance care for individuals living with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs). Eligible candidates must be actively affiliated with a US-based academic health care institution; they must be within five years of completing their terminal clinically oriented training (such as residency or fellowship); and they must have a doctoral degree in medicine, psychology, nursing, genetics/genetic counseling, occupational or physical therapy, or speech language pathology; others licensed to practice clinically may also be eligible. Candidates from non-clinical disciplines will only be considered if proposing a career development plan integrated with their institution’s clinical team focused on the NCLs. Candidates who propose animal studies will not be considered. Candidates are required to have a local primary mentor and are encouraged to establish a mentoring team. Applications from outside the BDCRC are encouraged, with support from at least one advisor from a BDCRC site. Candidates may not hold an active individual K award or equivalent. Candidates may apply with active non-K, non-overlapping career development awards or institutional fellowships.
 
Candidates are encouraged to reach out to Ms. Eliades at eliades@kennedykrieger.org for any questions in advance of the application deadline.
 
Expectations:
Selected scholars will be expected to conduct the following:
  1. Design and implement a research project related to the NCLs. Candidates are encouraged to leverage existing research projects through the BDCRC.
  2. Meet at least quarterly with their BDCRC advisor and periodically with BDCRC Career Enhancement Core Co-Leads, including entrance and exit interviews.
  3. Complete a progress report within 30 days of grant completion.
  4. Regularly attend BDCRC webinars and investigator meetings.
  5. Present research in progress at a national or international NCL-focused conference (e.g., Batten Disease Support, Research, & Advocacy (BDSRA) Foundation’s Annual Family Conference, International NCL Congress, or Translational Research Conference on the NCLs, etc.).
  6. Participate in the annual Rare Disease Clinical Research Network Conference, if feasible.
  7. Prepare at least one manuscript related to the NCLs.
  8. Submit at least one application for research funding within 12 months of completion of the ECIG.
 
Instructions:
Candidates should submit:
  • Abstract (structure: long-term objectives and specific aims of the proposal, relevance to improving care for the NCLs, research design and methods for achieving the stated goals, and outline of the career development plan, max. 4000 characters)
  • Funding proposal as a single PDF attachment (formatting requirements: Arial, 11pt font, margins at least one-half inch):
    • Research plan (max 5 pages, including a specific aims page, approach, and a timeline outlining research and career development milestones)
    • Career development plan (max 2 pages, including personal statement, career development activities, and future funding goals)
    • References
    • Candidate NIH biosketch
    • Primary mentor NIH biosketch
    • Budget and budget justification
    • Primary mentor letter of support
 
Funding:
  • The budget for direct costs, including salary and fringe, cannot exceed $65,000 per year. Indirect costs cannot exceed the institutional federally negotiated indirect rate or 78%, whichever is lower. 
  • Commitment of salary and fringe benefits with a minimum of three calendar months of effort devoted to the research project and career development activities is recommended. 
  • Funding may be used for research expenses (e.g., research personnel, supplies) for the project with appropriate justification. Please include travel and lodging to attend one national or international NCL-focused conference. 
  • One ECIG will be awarded per year/budget cycle. Preference will be given to funding two different early career investigators in this review cycle. If a single candidate is selected in this review cycle, there may be the opportunity to re-apply for a second year of funding in discussion with the BDCRC.
  • Proposals should align with NCL community research priorities (PMID: 40975092). 
  • Applications will be judged on innovation, scientific rigor, and potential for impact and future funding. Candidates from institutions without a previously funded ECIG will be prioritized. 
  • Anticipated “Year 1” grant start date is Mar 1, 2026. Anticipated “Year 2” grant start date is Sep 1, 2026.