Research for Rare Grants for Research
The 2025 RFA Cycle has been completed
The 2025 RFA Cycle is closed and winners are shown below. While the issuing of the RFA was in late 2024, the deadline for applications was in 2025 and therefore awards were announced in 2025. Please check back for a new RFA cycle to be announced earliest in mid-2026 or follow us onInflammation of the optic nerve that may be classified as unilateral (affecting one eye) or bilateral (affecting both eyes) that may result in vision changes, vision loss, and/or pain with eye movement. our social media and email distribution available onInflammation of the optic nerve that may be classified as unilateral (affecting one eye) or bilateral (affecting both eyes) that may result in vision changes, vision loss, and/or pain with eye movement. our Connect page.
About the Research for Rare Program
Our Research for Rare Program provides funding for research that promotes advancement in the most impactful areas of understanding in MOGADOften referred to as MOGAD, Anti-MOG, MOG Ab+, MOG Antibody Disease, MOG Associated Antibody Disease, MOG positive disease . There are two types of grants: the Apollo Grant and the Accelerator Grant. Read below for a complete description and past award winners.
Apollo Grant
The apollo grant provides funding to develop hypotheses and gather seed/pilot data to support and strengthen the submission of a future same subject proposal allowing investigators to better secure greater funding from larger organizations. Our grants are intended to support the advancement of medical knowledge and understanding of this rare disease leading to better diagnosis, targeted treatments, and eventually a cure.
2023 Apollo Grant Award Recipients
Fabienne Brilot, PhD – Kid’s Neuroscience Centre and University of Sydney
Their recent scientific work has shown that the autoantibody biomarkerA substance detectable by testing (e.g., blood sample or spinal fluid) that is indicative of a disease or infection. is molecularly different in a patient with relapsesWhen you present to your doctor or hospital with new or worsening central nervous system symptoms. Generally, if your symptoms gradually worsen over 24-48 hours, there is heightened concern of a relapse. (Also referred to as a flare by the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoproten antibody disease (MOGAD) community)., and we could take advantage of this difference for diagnostic purposes. They want to design the first reliable and fast single blood test to diagnose children and adults with MOGADOften referred to as MOGAD, Anti-MOG, MOG Ab+, MOG Antibody Disease, MOG Associated Antibody Disease, MOG positive disease at risk of relapseWhen you present to your doctor or hospital with new or worsening central nervous system symptoms. Generally, if your symptoms gradually worsen over 24-48 hours, there is heightened concern of a relapse. (Also referred to as a flare by the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoproten antibody disease (MOGAD) community).. A readily available diagnostic test will help clinicians to give people with MOGADOften referred to as MOGAD, Anti-MOG, MOG Ab+, MOG Antibody Disease, MOG Associated Antibody Disease, MOG positive disease an adequate and rapid treatment to preserve their health.
Stephen D. Miller, PhD – Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University for the “Use of PLG nanoparticles to reestablish MOG immune tolerance in an animal model of MOGAD.”
This proposal aims to explore the therapeutic effect of NP tolerance in a MOGA type of protein involved in cell adhesion. Present throughout myelin sheaths. protein-induced animal model which is dependent onInflammation of the optic nerve that may be classified as unilateral (affecting one eye) or bilateral (affecting both eyes) that may result in vision changes, vision loss, and/or pain with eye movement. B cells, thus more closely resembling T and B cell immunopathology in MOGADOften referred to as MOGAD, Anti-MOG, MOG Ab+, MOG Antibody Disease, MOG Associated Antibody Disease, MOG positive disease . Notably, we have recently developed a reliable model of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)A disorder of the central nervous system that primarily affects the nerves of the eye and the spinal cord. Also known as Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) or Devic’s Disease, a demyelinatingThe process in which the protective coating of nerve tissue (i.e. myelin) becomes damaged or breaks down, causing nerve impulses to slow or halt that results in neurological problems. disease closely related to MOGADOften referred to as MOGAD, Anti-MOG, MOG Ab+, MOG Antibody Disease, MOG Associated Antibody Disease, MOG positive disease , which is also strictly dependent onInflammation of the optic nerve that may be classified as unilateral (affecting one eye) or bilateral (affecting both eyes) that may result in vision changes, vision loss, and/or pain with eye movement. autoreactive Aquaporin-4 (AQP4)-specific B cell and antibodyA protective protein produced by your immune system that attaches to antigens (foreign substances), such as bacteria and toxins, and removes them from your body. In myelin oligodendrocyte glycoproten antibody disease (MOGAD), the body incorrectly produces an antibody that targets myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, a component of the myelin sheath in the central nervous system. responses, and can be treated by tolerance induced with NPs encapsulating AQP4. Therefore, we anticipate that induction of tolerance with NPs encapsulating MOGA type of protein involved in cell adhesion. Present throughout myelin sheaths. protein will be able to tolerize MOG-specific T and B cell responses in the B cell-dependent MOGADOften referred to as MOGAD, Anti-MOG, MOG Ab+, MOG Antibody Disease, MOG Associated Antibody Disease, MOG positive disease animal model. It is expected that this work will lead to significant advancement of antigen-specific therapy and new knowledge of the underlying molecular mechanisms of MOGADOften referred to as MOGAD, Anti-MOG, MOG Ab+, MOG Antibody Disease, MOG Associated Antibody Disease, MOG positive disease and provide critical data to rapidly advance future clinical testing that will benefit patients.
2025 Apollo Grant Award Recipients
Maria Hastermann, MD, PhD, Nadine Strempel, Postdoctoral Researcher, Enrico Klotzsch, PhD and Friedemann Paul, MD, PhD – Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin for the “Mechanostimulation of MOG-Specific Regulatory T-cells”.
This proposal aims to develop a method to track T cell activation patterns as a way to monitor disease activity. This could eventually help doctors make more informed decisions about when it might be safe to stop or adjust treatments like immunosuppressive drugs. Another goal is to explore physical methods to expand and activate human T-regulatory cells, which dampen an immune response, and apply these techniques to develop a therapy that blunts the autoimmuneA disease in which the immune system incorrectly targets and attacks an individual’s own healthy cells. response against MOGA type of protein involved in cell adhesion. Present throughout myelin sheaths., stopping MOGADOften referred to as MOGAD, Anti-MOG, MOG Ab+, MOG Antibody Disease, MOG Associated Antibody Disease, MOG positive disease patients from developing severe disease.
Kevin C. O’Connor, PhD and Erin Longbrake, MD, PhD– Yale University School of Medicine for the “Leveraging MOG-Specific Human Monoclonal Autoantibodies to Describe Mechanisms of Immunopathology”
This proposal aims to study the diverse population of human autoantibodies against MOGA type of protein involved in cell adhesion. Present throughout myelin sheaths. that cause the various symptoms of MOGADOften referred to as MOGAD, Anti-MOG, MOG Ab+, MOG Antibody Disease, MOG Associated Antibody Disease, MOG positive disease and characterize the mechanisms of how each type of autoantibody causes disease damage. By understanding the underlying mechanisms of MOGAD, more targeted and effective treatments for patients suffering from this condition may be developed.
Accelerator Grant
The Accelerator Grant provides for architecture, infrastructure, and technology funding to be used in support of any future MOGADOften referred to as MOGAD, Anti-MOG, MOG Ab+, MOG Antibody Disease, MOG Associated Antibody Disease, MOG positive disease research projects.
2023 Accelerator Grant Award Recipients
Maria Houtchens, MD, MSc and Tanuja Chitnis, MD, FAAN – Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard University for the “Development of a Prospective MOGADOften referred to as MOGAD, Anti-MOG, MOG Ab+, MOG Antibody Disease, MOG Associated Antibody Disease, MOG positive disease Pregnancy Registry: PREG-MOGAD.”
This research plan aims to establish a national pregnancy registry for women diagnosed with MOGADOften referred to as MOGAD, Anti-MOG, MOG Ab+, MOG Antibody Disease, MOG Associated Antibody Disease, MOG positive disease , a rare inflammatory disorder of the central nervous systemNerve tissue that resides in and composes the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve. The registry will enroll pregnant women with MOGADOften referred to as MOGAD, Anti-MOG, MOG Ab+, MOG Antibody Disease, MOG Associated Antibody Disease, MOG positive disease to study the effects of pregnancy onInflammation of the optic nerve that may be classified as unilateral (affecting one eye) or bilateral (affecting both eyes) that may result in vision changes, vision loss, and/or pain with eye movement. the disease and vice versa. This information is crucial for optimizing reproductive outcomes in this patient group. The study has four specific goals: Create the registry infrastructure. 2 Recruit 25 pregnant patients for this pilot study. Evaluate maternal and fetal outcomes using validated tools. Examine changes in immune and neurological biomarkers during and after pregnancy. Understanding how MOGADOften referred to as MOGAD, Anti-MOG, MOG Ab+, MOG Antibody Disease, MOG Associated Antibody Disease, MOG positive disease and pregnancy interact will help doctors provide better care to pregnant patients with the condition. This research builds onInflammation of the optic nerve that may be classified as unilateral (affecting one eye) or bilateral (affecting both eyes) that may result in vision changes, vision loss, and/or pain with eye movement. the success of a previous registry for Multiple Sclerosis (MS)An autoimmune disease that attacks healthy cells in the myelin, the protective sheath that surrounds nerves in the central nervous system (CNS) leading to neurological symptoms originating from the brain, spinal cord, and/or optic nerve. patients. By participating in this study, patients can contribute to scientific knowledge and potentially improve future care for themselves and others with MOGADOften referred to as MOGAD, Anti-MOG, MOG Ab+, MOG Antibody Disease, MOG Associated Antibody Disease, MOG positive disease . The study aims to provide insights that could benefit both patients and the wider medical community.
2025 Accelerator Grant Award Recipient5
Michael Levy, MD, PhD, Phileppe A. Bilodeau, MD, and Anastasia Vishnevetsky, MD, PhD – Massachusetts General and Brigham and Woman’s Hospitals for the “Advancing Infrastructure for BiomarkerA substance detectable by testing (e.g., blood sample or spinal fluid) that is indicative of a disease or infection. Discovery and Patient-Reported Outcomes in MOGADOften referred to as MOGAD, Anti-MOG, MOG Ab+, MOG Antibody Disease, MOG Associated Antibody Disease, MOG positive disease ”.
The project will first expand a database of patients with MOGADOften referred to as MOGAD, Anti-MOG, MOG Ab+, MOG Antibody Disease, MOG Associated Antibody Disease, MOG positive disease to include symptoms, imaging results, treatments and recovery. They will also study blood and spinal fluid samples from patients to find biological markers that provide clues about how the disease works. By understanding these markers, researchers can predict disease severity and improve treatment plans tailored to individual patients. Lastly, the project will create and test new tools to measure how MOGADOften referred to as MOGAD, Anti-MOG, MOG Ab+, MOG Antibody Disease, MOG Associated Antibody Disease, MOG positive disease affects patients’ daily lives, including physical symptoms like pain and fatigue and emotional and cognitive challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions Asked by Applicants
Q: When will the next round of Research for Rare Request for Applications (ROA) be announced?
A: We are currently planning onInflammation of the optic nerve that may be classified as unilateral (affecting one eye) or bilateral (affecting both eyes) that may result in vision changes, vision loss, and/or pain with eye movement. anmouncing a second round in Spring of 2024.
Q: Can groups outside of the US apply?
A: Yes, The MOGA type of protein involved in cell adhesion. Present throughout myelin sheaths. Project is an International Organization.
Q: I’m a consultant neurologist working outside of the US. Since I do not have a full academic position can I apply?
A: If you have facilities available and your university that you consult with allows you to apply for grants, you are eligible.
Q: I am a clinician scientist working outside of the US and newly appointed to a consultant post with a part time research role. Will the fact I am only part time affect my eligibility?
A: Most physicians work onInflammation of the optic nerve that may be classified as unilateral (affecting one eye) or bilateral (affecting both eyes) that may result in vision changes, vision loss, and/or pain with eye movement. research part time and the remainder of their time is seeing patients. If this is the case, this makes you eligible. If you are strictly part time, then you must have the resources and time to do the work.
Q: Can a member of The MOGA type of protein involved in cell adhesion. Present throughout myelin sheaths. Project Medical Advisory Council apply?
A: Yes. The MOGA type of protein involved in cell adhesion. Present throughout myelin sheaths. Project Medical Advisory Council members are eligible to apply for the Apollo or Accelerator grants. The MOGA type of protein involved in cell adhesion. Present throughout myelin sheaths. Project Medical Advisory Council members are not involved in the creation of the RFA. Council members who apply will not be involved in the grant review process. In addition, reviewers are forbidden to discuss any grant application and its scoring with the applicants, including other Medical Advisory Council members. Applicants are also forbidden to discuss their grant application with The MOGA type of protein involved in cell adhesion. Present throughout myelin sheaths. Project Medical Advisory Council, as some of them may be reviewers for the grant competition. This ensures a fair review process.
Q: Can a diverse combination of senior and mid-career clinical investigators (2 investigators) as well as early career scientists such as postdoctoral fellow and postgraduate candidate (2 investigators in total) be permitted?
A: The RFA stipulates at least 1 Principal Investigator / Program Director. There can be 1-2 PIs (one corresponding PI) and the rest of the investigators (including postdoctoral fellows) may be either co-investigators or consultants.