DoW Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research Program, Therapeutic Development Award
Supports product-driven preclinical to IND-enabling therapeutic development studies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using lead compounds already in hand and preclinical proof-of-concept data.
⚑ ALS therapeutic candidates must start with lead compounds already in hand and preclinical proof-of-concept efficacy in at least one ALS model system. · Mechanism-specific target engagement and pharmacodynamic biomarker development is a critical component only when tied to therapeutic development. · Applications for candidates already granted an IND are not appropriate. · Applicant eligibility section not provided in the notice; no explicit restriction identified here.
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 55 good | technical depth: minor; funds applied research |
| IPPRA | 45 partial | peripheral portfolio topic: public_health; social/behavioral work is none; funds applied research; biomedical core — IPPRA health lane is communication/crisis/policy (capped); clinical-trial/biomedical core — IPPRA angle is policy/community (capped); capped at 45 (limited social-science role) |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 30 weak | funds applied research; deep-tech content |
Description
Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research Program (ALSRP) Therapeutic Development Award (TDA) supports research ranging from preclinical validation of therapeutic leads through U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies. The proposed studies are expected to be empirical in nature and product-driven. Applicants with limited amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) experience are strongly encouraged to include collaborators with substantial experience in the relevant ALS model systems, endpoints and pathophysiology.
Applications supported by this award must begin with lead compounds in hand and must already demonstrate proof-of-concept efficacy data in at least one appropriate preclinical model system of ALS, including whole-animal and cellular model systems.
Distinctive Features: Mechanism-specific , predictive/cohort-selective, target engagement and pharmacodynamic biomarker development, in parallel to the main therapeutic effort, is a critical component of the FY26 ALSRP Therapeutic Development Award . If appropriate mechanism-specific biomarkers are already available or currently in development, how the existing biomarkers will improve trial design, patient selection, and efficiency or interpretation of the proposed ALS therapeutic approach must be apparent in the application. Development of biomarkers for the purposes of diagnosis, prognosis, or measurement of general disease progression without consideration of the therapeutic development process will not be supported.
Therapeutic candidates which have already been granted an IND are not appropriate for this mechanism.
Apply
View on Grants.gov → CONTACT: Jamie Shortall Grant Officer <help@eBRAP.org>
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