Discover Funding Opportunities

The Graduate Research Fellowship provides 1 to 3 years of support for individuals engaged in graduate study leading to a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree (or equivalent) in Friedreich's ataxia research. FARA will award up to 3 Graduate Research Fellowships per year. For this application type, the PI/applicant of the grant proposal is the graduate student. Applicants need to be matriculated in the chosen graduate school and have a chosen thesis adviser at the time of application. The research proposal must focus on projects that fall within FARA's Research Priorities. The only allowable budget items are the graduate student's salary/stipend plus applicable fringe benefits (including health insurance) and tuition costs and fees that are not already covered by the institution. The majority of the student's time should be dedicated to this project.

The National Ataxia Foundation (NAF) Graduate Research Fellowship is a one-year, non-renewable award that provides funding to outstanding graduate students conducting research that contributes to the understanding, diagnosis, or treatment of hereditary, sporadic, or acquired ataxias. Proposals across the spectrum of basic, translational, and clinical research are accepted. The goal of this fellowship is to foster early engagement in the ataxia research field and support the development of foundational skills for future scientific careers. This award is intended to nurture promising graduate students and provide early exposure to impactful research in ataxia, helping to cultivate the future leaders of this field. Funding may be used for direct research expenses only, including all or part of the fellow's salary.

The NAF Diversity in Ataxia Research Fellowship is a competitive, merit-based, non-renewable award that provides two years of partial support for the research training of pre-doctoral students. This program is designed to enhance the diversity of the ataxia research workforce by supporting individuals from groups that are underrepresented in the field. Fellowships are awarded annually to outstanding graduate students from racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in biomedical research, individuals with disabilities, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. NAF welcomes proposals across the full spectrum of basic, translational, and clinical research, as long as the project demonstrates a clear and significant focus on improving understanding of hereditary, sporadic, or acquired forms of ataxia. The fellowship provides $50,000 total ($25,000 per year) for direct research expenses including the fellow's annual stipend. Applications are evaluated based on scientific merit and innovation, commitment to ataxia research, and training environment and mentorship quality.

The NAF Post-doctoral Fellowship Awards provide one-year support for early-career researchers conducting innovative studies that can expand our understanding of the cause, pathogenesis, or treatment of hereditary, sporadic, and acquired ataxias. This fellowship is intended to foster the development of promising scientists by supporting mentored research experiences that build toward independent research careers. Funded projects are expected to generate high-quality preliminary data, strengthen research skills, and position fellows for future grant applications and academic advancement. The fellowship supports projects that are innovative and have the potential to contribute meaningfully to understanding of ataxia, including studies focused on fundamental mechanisms of disease, model development and validation, emerging therapeutic targets or strategies, and early-stage data collection. The fellowship is intended to be a bridge to independence, helping recipients develop the skills, knowledge, and preliminary data necessary to become competitive for long-term research funding and establish themselves as leaders in the ataxia research community.

The NAF Early Career Investigator Award is a one-year grant designed to support outstanding early-stage scientists who have completed their postdoctoral training within the past 6 years and hold a junior faculty or clinical fellow appointment. This award aims to foster the development of independent research careers by providing seed funding for innovative, high-impact studies in the field of ataxia. Proposals are welcome across the full spectrum of basic, translational, and clinical research, but must have a clear and significant focus on advancing our understanding of the causes, pathogenesis, or treatment of hereditary, sporadic, or acquired ataxias. The award is designed to act as a catalyst for early-career investigators, helping them build the foundation necessary to secure long-term funding and become future leaders in ataxia research. Priority is given to projects focused on fundamental disease mechanisms, development and validation of disease models, identification of emerging therapeutic targets or strategies, and early-stage data collection that can support future external grant applications.

The Pioneer SCA3 Translational Research Award is granted annually by the National Ataxia Foundation to independent researchers for outstanding proposals that aim to make meaningful advancements in the treatment and care of individuals with Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 (SCA3). While proposals may include components related to other forms of ataxia, the primary focus must be on preclinical, translational or clinical research directly relevant to SCA3. Priority is placed on proposals that accelerate the development of disease-modifying therapies, support clinical trial readiness and biomarker discovery, bridge the gap between scientific discovery and therapeutic application, and significantly advance or alter our mechanistic understanding of SCA3 pathogenesis. The award provides up to $100,000 for one year (April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027) for direct research expenses only, with no more than 50% allocated to personnel costs and no indirect costs allowed. Proposals should demonstrate a clear path toward improving patient outcomes and advancing the field toward clinical solutions for SCA3. Interdisciplinary and collaborative projects, as well as those leveraging cutting-edge technologies or resources, are encouraged.

The NAF Research Seed Money Grant is a merit-based, nonrenewable award that provides support for new and innovative studies that advance understanding of the cause, pathogenesis, or treatment of hereditary, sporadic, and acquired ataxias. These grants serve as seed funding to assist established investigators during the early or pilot phases of research, or as supplemental funding for ongoing innovative projects demonstrating a critical need. It is expected that funded projects will generate preliminary data to support applications for larger grants from other funding sources. The grant provides up to $50,000 for direct research expenses only, with no more than 50% allocated to personnel costs. Indirect costs and cost sharing are not allowed. The funding period runs from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027. NAF is committed to supporting research that advances scientific discovery and improves outcomes for all individuals living with ataxia, regardless of disease subtype. Equal priority is given to proposals targeting more common forms of ataxia with strong translational potential and proposals focused on rare, less characterized, or newly identified forms of ataxia that build critical foundational knowledge.

The Michael Lundquist Grant to Advance MSA-C Research is awarded annually by the National Ataxia Foundation to independent researchers for outstanding proposals that aim to make meaningful advancements in the treatment and care of individuals affected by multiple system atrophy, cerebellar subtype (MSA-C). While proposals may include aspects relevant to other forms of ataxia, the primary focus must be on preclinical, translational, or clinical research directly related to MSA-C. Priority is given to proposals that accelerate the development of disease-modifying therapies, support clinical trial readiness including biomarker discovery and validation, develop new or improve existing methods for accurate and timely diagnosis of MSA-C, bridge the gap between scientific discovery and therapeutic application, and significantly advance or reshape mechanistic understanding of MSA-C pathogenesis. This grant honors the legacy of Michael Lundquist and reflects NAF's commitment to advancing research that improves outcomes for people living with MSA-C.