Introduction

The Morton Cure Paralysis Fund (MCPF) is a US-based non-profit organisation committed to developing effective therapies for paralysis associated with spinal cord injury and other disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). It was set up by Peter Morton in 1995 after he sustained a spinal injury in a cycling accident. Peter's friends started raising funds for spinal cord research and this was the beginning of MCPF which has since raised over $4.2 million for pioneering research.

Call objectives and options

MCPF funds cutting-edge research activities that hold promise of identifying therapies/cures for paralysis in humans. It has the particular focus of placing projects in the research pipeline, that is, enabling scientists to develop the proof-of-concept data necessary to apply for larger grants. The development of effective therapies for chronic injury is a high priority for the organisation. Basic research will be supported if it has clear potential to accelerate progress at the applied end of the continuum and/or if it reflects innovative research or a 'change of direction'. The three focus areas are:

• Understanding the effects of spinal cord injury at the cellular level, particularly with emphasis on that which determines apoptosis and/or prohibits regrowth. If the proposed project is at this level, it is important that the proposal demonstrates how the project is a change of direction, innovative research or can be quickly moved to therapeutic application.
• Studying strategies to promote neuronal growth and survival, encourage the formation of synapses, enhance the production of myelin, restore conduction capabilities or otherwise lead to restoration of the compromised circuitry in the acutely and chronically injured CNS.
• Evaluating new therapies in clinical trials.

In addition, MCPF will take into account projects that:

• Encourage promising new investigators to undertake research on regeneration and recovery, particularly with respect to the spinal cord.
• Encourage researchers who are well-established in other areas to transfer their efforts to spinal cord research.
• Enable researchers with novel ideas to test their ideas and develop pilot data for seeking larger awards from other funding sources.

All scientific learning as a result of the funding must be broadly communicated to the rest of the scientific community.

Budget

Most research awards range from $5,000 to $75,000 and are based on one-year contracts. Funds are awarded to the principal investigator's host institution. Requests to purchase major items of equipment are discouraged unless the equipment reflects a change in research direction embodied in the proposal.

The following are ineligible for funding:

• Ongoing, long-term support.
• Support for meetings.
• The PI's salary (unless the application is for a postdoctoral fellowship).
• Requests to purchase major items of equipment are discouraged.

MCPF encourages research grant applicants to seek support from more than one funding source. Where applicable, MCPF may co-fund projects that have overlapping funding requests approved by another organisation. Additional sources of funding, both granted and potential, must be listed in the proposal.

Eligibility

Qualified scientists at capable institutions worldwide are eligible to apply for a grant and MCPF places emphasis on collaborative efforts. Either senior scientists or postdoctoral fellows may serve as principal investigators (PIs). Applications are accepted from American or international investigators located at institutions that have clearly established lines of accountability and fiscal responsibility.

Application

MCPF has a biannual application cycle with grant deadlines of 30 April and 31 October each year.

Applicants must complete the standard application form and include all requested attachments. Proposals must be submitted by email.

If applicants have concerns about the relevance of the work to MCPF's programme, applicants are encouraged to submit a short pre-proposal letter to ensure that the development of a full proposal is warranted. It should be submitted no later than six weeks prior to the application deadline.

In case of interest, please contact lnorton(ELIMINAR)@fsjd.org