The Washington State University Steve Gleason Institute for Neuroscience is hosting a new seed grant competition aimed to explore research furthering the diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for people with neurodegenerative diseases (NDD). Proposal applications are due Friday, April 22.
While WSU faculty or adjunct faculty in any discipline may serve as the principal investigator, only Gleason Institute members may apply for the funding. The Gleason Institute has allocated $150,000 total for the awards. Selected proposals will receive up to $50,000. Proposals for smaller amounts are encouraged and considered equally competitive. Awards are for one year but may be extended upon approval.
“We are excited to offer Gleason Institute members and WSU researchers with the opportunity to fund research that increases awareness about neurodegenerative diseases and adaptive technologies that can help individuals with neurodegenerative diseases live with greater independence and improve their quality of life,” said Andrea Lazarus, executive director of the Gleason Institute.
The Gleason Institute focuses research in three pillars: discovery, clinical, and adaptive technology. Discovery research aims to better understand NDD, including basic neuroscience, creation of devices to diagnose, monitor, and maintain quality of life, and exploration of psychosocial factors that impact the ability of patients and their families to cope with NDD. With the institute’s clinical partner Providence St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Medical Center, clinical research focuses on interventions for patients with NDD, their families, and caregivers. Adaptive technology studies advancements in new technologies and improvements aimed to ease the use and interoperability of devices.
Proposals should focus on one or more of the three pillars, with the highest priority given to proposals that address more than one pillar and/or are multidisciplinary and collaborative. Research projects that include individuals with NDD or their caregivers will also receive consideration.
“These awards are meant to promote faculty research on new projects that have the potential to result in extramural funding or scholarly publications,” said Lazarus. “Acknowledgement of the Gleason Institute support must be included in any published work or presentations resulting from this award. Awardees will be expected to submit a one-page final report of research finding within six months of the end of the award period.”
The seed grant proposal application form must be submitted through the E-REX Form at least 48 hours prior to the deadline by the home department.
The proposal should include:
- A description of the project’s impact on those with NDD in 300 words or less
- What new ideas, methods, devices, or approaches will be included in the project in 300 words or less
- Define the major research questions to be addressed by the project and what methodologies and analyses will be used to achieve these goals in 2,000 words or less
- A timeline of the project and expected outcomes
- A detailed budget with brief justification
- Biographical sketch or CV detailing relevant experience of the PI and collaborators
- Names of 3-4 possible reviewers from among WSU faculty
- Proposals should be emailed to: gleason.institute@wsu.edu by 5 p.m., on April 22
Established in 2019, the Gleason Institute is an interdisciplinary institute furthering the diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for people with NDD. In September 2021, the Gleason Institute opened its Adaptive Technology Center (ATC) in Spokane. The ATC houses a mock-home environment and showcases adaptive technologies that improve the quality of life of people with NDD. The center is designed to increase awareness in individuals with NDD about adaptive technologies that can help them live with greater independence and improve quality of life.
For more information, contact Lazarus by email at andrea.lazarus@wsu.edu or Michelle Sanchez, administrative manager of the Gleason Institute, by email at michelle.r.sanchez@wsu.edu.
