Neurodegenerative Disease Pilot Study Grant Program

The Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center encourages, supports and develops clinical trials and pilot research projects relevant to neurodegenerative diseases within the Harvard medical community.

One reason for the slow movement of research from bench to bedside is the lack of funding for pilot studies. Typically involving fewer than 10 subjects, pilot clinical trials permit investigators to test the feasibility of a full-scale study, refine research instruments, and generate preliminary data. A successful pilot study helps investigators make a strong case for the more substantial funding required to conduct full scale clinical trials. Lab-based pilot research projects aimed at understanding neurodegenerative diseases often yield the preliminary data required for grant applications.

The NeuroDiscovery Center has joined forces with the Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center to provide funding for clinical research pilot studies of neurodegenerative diseases. Pilot Study Grants range from $10,000 to $35,000. Successful applicants must demonstrate the clinical significance of the proposed project.

Pilot Study Grants are available each year via a formal but quick application process. All Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center members will be notified via email and the RFA will be posted on the "For the Research Community" section of this website. To be added to this email list, please join the Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center.

View a list of previous awardees.

The 2008 competition is closed. Our next RFA is schedule for December 2008.