Target ALS – Biomarker Consortia | Research Funding
Event details
| Date | 19.05.2026 |
| Category | Call for proposal |
| Event Language | English |
Aim: Target ALS is a medical research foundation committed to the search for effective treatments for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Target ALS funds investigators who collaborate across scientific disciplines and research constituencies to drive medical breakthroughs for the treatment of ALS.
As new therapeutics have begun moving the needle for ALS patients, tracking disease progression and monitoring the effects of drug treatment have become even more important. Biomarkers are needed to stratify patient populations, understand response to therapeutics, and quantify disease progression. The foundation is soliciting proposals from multidisciplinary groups focused on the discovery and development of novel fluid or tissue-based biomarkers of disease progression and stratification using novel, innovative, and complementary approaches including applications of AI and machine learning (ML).
Although all groups studying disease progression biomarkers are eligible to apply, Target ALS is particularly interested in supporting projects that propose the study of:
Funding: $130,000 per lab per year (not to exceed a total of $500K / year)
Duration: 24 months
Eligibility: Only collaborative projects will be considered; collaborative projects for this call comprise groups of 3-5 laboratories working around a common research theme or target. Each consortium should have at least one investigator from the biotech/pharmaceutical industry.
How to Apply: The two-step application process begins with a Letter of Intent. The letter of intent can be filled in directly on the application portal, with four questions to be answered (see below for the list of questions). Selected applicants will be notified in June 2026 and invited to submit a full proposal. At the full proposal stage, a detailed budget is required. Budgets can include researcher salaries and fringe benefits, materials and consumables, equipment, and overhead of 15%.
Deadline, LOI: 19 May 2026
Deadline, Full Proposal: 20 July 2026
Further information
Letter of Intent Questions
As new therapeutics have begun moving the needle for ALS patients, tracking disease progression and monitoring the effects of drug treatment have become even more important. Biomarkers are needed to stratify patient populations, understand response to therapeutics, and quantify disease progression. The foundation is soliciting proposals from multidisciplinary groups focused on the discovery and development of novel fluid or tissue-based biomarkers of disease progression and stratification using novel, innovative, and complementary approaches including applications of AI and machine learning (ML).
Although all groups studying disease progression biomarkers are eligible to apply, Target ALS is particularly interested in supporting projects that propose the study of:
- novel biomarkers predictive of disease progression or phenoconversion
- biomarkers with utility as treatment response
- biomarkers for patient population stratification (e.g., fast vs slow progressors, cognitive impairment, peripheral immunity)
- novel analytical approaches to blood-based biomarkers, including AI/ML-extracted signatures
Funding: $130,000 per lab per year (not to exceed a total of $500K / year)
Duration: 24 months
Eligibility: Only collaborative projects will be considered; collaborative projects for this call comprise groups of 3-5 laboratories working around a common research theme or target. Each consortium should have at least one investigator from the biotech/pharmaceutical industry.
How to Apply: The two-step application process begins with a Letter of Intent. The letter of intent can be filled in directly on the application portal, with four questions to be answered (see below for the list of questions). Selected applicants will be notified in June 2026 and invited to submit a full proposal. At the full proposal stage, a detailed budget is required. Budgets can include researcher salaries and fringe benefits, materials and consumables, equipment, and overhead of 15%.
Deadline, LOI: 19 May 2026
Deadline, Full Proposal: 20 July 2026
Further information
- More information about the program is available here
- The application portal can be found here
- For any other questions, please contact the Research Office
Letter of Intent Questions
- Relevance: Describe the present or future relevance of the project for ALS biomarkers of disease stratification and progression. (up to 125 words)
- Scientists Involved expected contribution: Clearly identify the scientists involved with a short paragraph about the expected contribution of each individual. (up to 250 words)
- NIH-style biosketches: Include biosketches for all individuals described above. (pdf files)
- Scientific Objective: Define a set of scientific objectives (specific aims) with explicit milestones. (up to 625 words)
Practical information
- General public
- Free