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2025-2026 In-Cycle Grants

Alpha-1 Foundation

The Grants Award Program is the Alpha-1 Foundation’s mechanism to fund a broad range of research that leads to improvements in the lives of people living with AAT Deficiency. The specific goals of the Program are 1) to promote basic science and clinical research related to the alpha-1 antitrypsin protein and AAT Deficiency; 2) to attract and train clinical researchers for the study of AAT Deficiency; 3) to support and encourage established scientists to work on clinical problems and ethical, legal, and social issues within the field of AAT research (with a preference given to new investigators); and ultimately, 4) to develop effective therapies for the clinical manifestations of AAT Deficiency.
The Alpha-1 Foundation will support a broad spectrum of research projects involving basic science, translational and clinical research, and ethical, legal, and social issues. The Foundation’s research agenda can be found on the Foundation’s website at www.alpha1.org.

Other topics may be reviewed for the appropriateness of funding based on the investigator’s Letter of Intent (LOI). Please see Section II of this document for more information about the LOI.
Applicants are encouraged to utilize the Alpha-1 Foundation research resources, including:
• The Alpha-1 Research Registry is a confidential database made up of individuals diagnosed with Alpha-1 as well as carriers. It was established to help research initiatives and promote the development of improved treatments and a cure for Alpha-1. The Alpha-1 Foundation DNA and Tissue Bank contains DNA, plasma, lung tissue, and liver tissue, as well as de-identified clinical information from more than 2,500 Alphas. If you have any questions or require additional information about these resources, please contact Randel Plant, Senior Director of Research Programs, via email at
rplant@alpha1.org. The Alpha-1 National Targeted Detection Program, a program designed to understand the best methodology and targets for AAT testing.

• The Alpha-1 Coded Testing program, a confidential testing program for use by family members, symptomatic individuals, or those not wanting genetic information in their medical record.

The deadline for submitting a full application is February 6, 2026, 11:59PM ET. Applications undergo an initial administrative review to ensure completeness and accuracy, and additional documentation may be requested from the applicant. The proposals are then reviewed and scored by the Foundation’s Grants Advisory Committee and discussed in a face-to-face meeting for final ranking and recommendation for funding. If needed, input will be requested from ad hoc reviewers. The evaluation of the proposal is based on the following criteria: scientific merit, innovation, and relevance to the Foundation’s mission. If the proposed research involves training, the fellow’s training program and the mentor’s qualifications are also assessed. Reviewers are also asked to provide an overall score for the proposal. If needed, input will be requested from ad hoc reviewers. This meeting will be held in April 2026.

Period of Performance and Funding Level Information:

Grant Category Period of Performance

Funding Level

* John W. Walsh Career Development Grant Up to 3 years Up to $100,000/year

Pilot and Feasibility Grant Up to 1 year Up to $75,000

Clinical Pilot Grant Up to 1 year Up to $75,000

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Grant Up to 2 years Up to $75,000/year

Research Grant** Up to 2 years Up to $100,000/year

Scientific Meeting Sponsorship Grant N/A Up to $5,000

Travel Grant N/A Up to $1,000

AI Based Application Success Predictor

🎯 1. Clear focus on AATD (alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency)

The Foundation funds research directly addressing AATD (both lung disease, liver disease, carriers, etc.). Alpha-1 Foundation+1

Projects that clearly tie into the disease mechanisms, biomarkers, diagnostics or therapeutic strategies for AATD are particularly strong. Trialect+1

🧪 2. Fit to the correct grant category and career stage

A1F offers different grant types:

Research Grants (up to ~$100,000 over 2 years) for novel concepts in AATD. Alpha-1 Foundation+1

Pilot & Feasibility Grants (1 year, up to ~$75,000) for early ideas/new investigators. Alpha-1 Foundation+1

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (2 years) for post‐docs. Alpha-1 Foundation

Clinical Pilot Grants, Ethical/Legal/Social Issues (ELSI) grants, etc. Alpha-1 Foundation+1

Ensuring you apply to the correct category that matches your experience and the scope of your project is important for success.

✅ 3. Strong scientific design, feasibility and novelty

Proposals that show strong preliminary data or proof of concept, clear aims and realistic deliverables score well. Trialect+1

Novelty: The foundation encourages new hypotheses, new methods, or applications of emerging technologies for AATD. Trialect

Feasibility: Clear timeline, defined milestones and achievable outcomes within the grant period.

🤝 4. Leveraging Foundation’s infrastructure & registries

The Alpha-1 Foundation maintains the Research Registry and resources (DNA/Tissue Bank, biomaterials exchange) which applicants are encouraged to use. A1BC+1

Projects that integrate with these existing resources or show how they will connect to the broader AATD research community tend to stand out.

🧬 5. Translational impact & linkage to care or therapy

Research that has a clear path toward impacting patient care (diagnosis, treatment, prognosis) is preferred. Alpha-1 Foundation+1

Even for basic science work, showing how the findings could lead to new therapies, biomarkers, or improved patient outcomes adds strength.

👩‍💼 6. Early‐career investigator support & mentorship

The Foundation supports early investigators (postdocs, junior faculty) via fellowships and pilot grants — showing you’re positioned for growth helps. Trialect+1

If applying as a junior investigator, include strong mentor/support letters and institutional backing.

📝 7. Strong, well‐written application

Clearly articulate the disease focus (AATD), the gap you’re filling, the innovation, the methods, and the expected deliverables.

Use persuasive but scientifically grounded language: novelty, impact, feasibility. Studies show that “promotional language” (when used appropriately) correlates with success. arXiv

📆 8. Timing, LOI & full proposal workflow

The Foundation follows a Letter of Intent (LOI) → full proposal process. For example: for the 2025–2026 cycle, LOI due ~ Sept 26, 2025; invitations Nov 21, 2025; full proposals due Feb 6, 2026. Alpha-1 Foundation+1

Being ready early (preparing LOI, aligning your team) increases chances.

📋 Summary Table

Success Predictor	What it Means in Practice
AATD-specific focus	Your project clearly addresses alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
Right grant category & stage alignment	Choose correct award (pilot, fellowship, research) for your status
Novelty + feasibility	Strong science, clear aims, realistic timeline
Use of Foundation resources/registry	Connect with A1F’s registries/BioBank to strengthen proposal
Translational path or patient relevance	Show how your research could impact diagnostics/treatment
Mentorship & institutional support	Especially for early-career applicants
Clear, engaging application writing	Focused, well-justified, strong rationale
Timely submission (LOI → full)	Meet LOI deadlines, prepare full if invited

Specialties

Clinical Trials

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants are eligible to apply if their institution has any of the following characteristics:
• For-Profit or Non-profit Organization
• Public or Private Institutions such as Universities, Colleges, Hospitals, and Laboratories
• Units of State and Local Government
• Eligible Agency of the Federal Government
• Domestic
• Foreign

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Alpha-1 Foundation

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 3300 Ponce de Leon Blvd. Coral Gables, Florida 33134

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