2012 LRI Distinguished Innovator Awards

Letter of Intent Deadline: February 29, 2012
Grant Application Deadline: April 2, 2012

The Lupus Research Institute (LRI) invites applications for a new global funding program that will run in parallel with our established Novel Research Grant program. LRI Distinguished Innovator Awards will provide outstanding scientists with substantial support for up to four years to conduct novel research into the fundamental causes of lupus and so provide new directions towards a cure or prevention.

Advances across many disciplines have led to novel treatments that aim to suppress the manifestations of lupus. Yet few interventions are being developed that seek to reverse permanently or prevent the disease. LRI Distinguished Innovators will address this gap by pioneering research into the fundamental, causative pathways of lupus.

In pursuit of this goal, the LRI welcomes novel, hypothesis- or discovery-driven proposals in human and/or animal model based lupus research. The research proposal must aim to uncover the fundamental causes of lupus and present a compelling vision of how the discovery would lay the groundwork for a potential cure or prevention, as opposed to suppressive treatments for lupus. Continuations of long-term projects will not be considered.

The expert review panel will judge applications primarily on the novelty and potential of the research proposal and the strengths and track record of the investigator. Emphasis will be on the rationale for the hypothesis rather than the amount of preliminary data.

Successful applicants will be outstanding investigators who have demonstrated creativity and productivity in their field of research. We encourage applications from investigators in diverse disciplines including, but not limited to, immunology, genetics, molecular, cell and systems biology.  Scientists who have not previously worked in lupus are encouraged to apply, as are researchers working outside the U.S. Applicants must hold an established position at an academic institution.

Annual funding of up to $250,000 per year, for a term of up to four years, will be awarded for approved projects. We anticipate that no more than four Distinguished Innovator Awards will be made in 2012. To assist planning, all applicants must submit a one page Letter of Intent by February 29, 2012. The full grant application, including a  research plan of no more than six pages is due April 2, 2012.

Download Grant Guidelines

For additional information contact Laura Hack, Grants Administrator,
lhack@lupusny.org or +1 (212) 685 4118.

To submit a Letter of Intent and Application, please visit proposalCentral at http://proposalcentral.altum.com/.