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In-Cycle Grants

Alpha-1 Foundation

MISSION The Alpha-1 Foundation is committed to finding a cure for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency and to improving the lives of individuals affected by Alpha-1 worldwide.

The specific aims of the Grants Award Program are to promote research that will ultimately improve the health of individuals with AAT Deficiency. The Program supports basic science and clinical research; improved understanding of the pathogenesis of the clinical manifestations of AAT Deficiency; the development and testing of treatments for the disease; and the education of members of the medical community regarding AAT Deficiency.

To achieve these aims, the Foundation offers financial awards to support a wide range of meritorious research related to AAT Deficiency, including basic laboratory investigations, epidemiology, clinical genetics, clinical trials, clinical management, and education.

GOALS OF THE GRANTS AWARD PROGRAM

The Grants Award Program is the Alpha-1 Foundation’s mechanism for funding a broad range of research that improves 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 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. The Foundation’s research agenda is available on its website at www.alpha1.org.

Other topics may be reviewed for funding appropriateness 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 deidentified clinical information from more than 2,500 Alphas. If you have any questions or require additional information about these resources, please get in touch with Randel Plant, Senior Director of Research Programs, via email at rplant@alpha1.org. The Alpha-1 National Targeted Detection Program is designed to identify 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.

Purpose and Scope This policy sets out rules and guidance for applicants' use of artificial intelligence tools when preparing and submitting grant applications and related materials to the Foundation. It applies to all applicants and their collaborators, subcontractors, and agents who contribute to any portion of application materials submitted to the Foundation, including pre-proposals, letters of intent, full proposals, revised submissions, budgets, biosketches, facilities descriptions, progress reports, lay summaries, figures, and supplemental documents.

Definitions

1. AI Tools means software, models, systems, or services that perform tasks ordinarily requiring human cognition, including but not limited to natural language processing, machine learning, large language models, code generation tools, image or audio generation tools, summarization tools, translation tools, and automated literature search or synthesis tools.

2. Generative AI means AI Tools that create content such as text, images, audio, code, data, or references based on prompts or training data.

3. Applicant means the principal investigator, project director, or primary submitting individual, as well as all key personnel, collaborators, subcontractors, consultants, and any institutional personnel who contribute to the preparation or submission of application materials.

4. Application Materials means all content submitted to the Foundation at any application stage, including narratives, data, figures, tables, citations, letters, institutional documents, attachments, and metadata provided through electronic portals.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Direct relevance to Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is the most important predictor.

Competitive projects should directly address:

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
SERPINA1 genetics
Alpha-1 protein biology
Lung disease
Liver disease
Disease progression
AATD diagnosis
AATD biomarkers
Alpha-1 therapeutics
Disease mechanisms

A1F's research funding is specifically intended to advance understanding and treatment of Alpha-1. (alpha1.org)

2. Potential to improve treatment or advance toward a cure ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A1F strongly favors research that can ultimately lead to:

New therapies
Better disease management
Disease-modifying treatments
Improved diagnosis
Improved monitoring
Prevention of disease progression
A cure for Alpha-1

The Foundation describes its research mission as supporting work that can lead to new treatments and ultimately a cure. (alpha1.org)

3. Scientific excellence and rigorous methodology ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A1F uses a rigorous peer-review system modeled after NIH-style scientific review.

Competitive applications should demonstrate:

Strong scientific rationale
Clearly defined hypothesis
Specific aims
Appropriate experimental design
Robust methodology
Appropriate statistical analysis
Feasible work plan

Scientific merit is a central component of the Foundation's Grant Advisory Committee review. (alpha1.org)

4. Innovation and originality ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A1F supports development and testing of new hypotheses and methods.

Strong projects may involve:

Gene therapy/editing
Novel protein replacement
New drug targets
Biomarkers
New diagnostic methods
Liver regeneration
Lung-protection strategies
Novel drug delivery
Advanced genetic or molecular approaches

The strongest proposals should explain what is genuinely new and why it could change the field. (alpha1.org)

5. Strong translational potential ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A1F supports research across the basic-to-clinical spectrum, but proposals should establish a credible route toward patient benefit.

A strong pathway is:

Mechanistic discovery → validation → therapeutic/diagnostic development → clinical application

Recent A1F-funded projects include work on liver regeneration, novel AAT delivery, biomarkers, respiratory infections, and genetic engineering, illustrating the Foundation's interest in research that can move toward clinical impact. (alpha1.org)

6. Relevance to Alpha-1 lung and/or liver disease ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A1F's disease focus encompasses both major clinical manifestations of Alpha-1:

Lung disease
Liver disease

Both areas are actively represented in the Foundation's funded research portfolio. In its 2026 awards, approximately 57% of funded projects were lung-focused and 43% liver-focused. (alpha1.org)

A strong application should make the connection to one or both manifestations explicit.

7. Early-career investigator potential ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A1F places substantial emphasis on developing the next generation of Alpha-1 researchers.

Its programs include:

John W. Walsh Career Development Grant
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Pilot & Feasibility Grant
Clinical Pilot Grant
Research Grant

A1F's current guidelines indicate a preference for new investigators, particularly because the Foundation wants to attract and train researchers in Alpha-1. (alpha1.org)

8. Strong investigator expertise and mentorship ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Competitive applications should demonstrate:

Relevant research expertise
Publications or prior research accomplishments
Appropriate technical skills
Qualified mentors
Strong institutional support
Adequate research infrastructure

For early-career applicants, an experienced mentor with relevant Alpha-1 expertise can strengthen the application considerably.

9. Use of Alpha-1 Foundation research resources ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

A1F maintains resources that can significantly support research, including:

Alpha-1 Research Registry
DNA and Tissue Bank
Clinical/research networks
Research collaborations

The Foundation encourages applicants to use its research resources where appropriate. (alpha1.org)

Using these resources can strengthen both feasibility and integration with the wider Alpha-1 research community.

10. Patient-centered and clinically meaningful outcomes ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

The ultimate goal is to improve the lives of people affected by Alpha-1.

Strong proposals should connect their research to outcomes such as:

Lung function
Liver disease progression
Disease detection
Biomarker performance
Treatment response
Quality of life
Clinical management
Prevention of disease progression

A1F's overall mission is centered on improving the health and lives of individuals and families affected by Alpha-1. (alpha1.org)

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, FL 33134

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