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Research Grants Morton Cure Paralysis Fund

Morton Cure Paralysis Fund

MISSION

The Morton Cure Paralysis Fund (MCPF) is committed to developing effective therapies (cures) for paralysis associated with spinal cord injury and other disorders of the central nervous system (CNS).

FUNDING PRIORITIES

MCPF funds activities that hold promise of identifying therapies (cures) for paralysis in humans. MCPF has particular focus of placing projects in the research pipeline, that is, enabling scientists to develop the proof concept data necessary to apply for larger NIH grants. The development of effective therapies for chronic injury is a high priority for the organization. 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 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. As stated above, if the proposed project is at this level, it is important that the proposal demonstrate 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 trial.
- Encourage promising new investigators to undertake research on regeneration and recovery, particularly with respect to the spinal cord;

In addition to those elements listed above, MCPF will also take into account projects that:

Encourage researchers who are well-established in other areas to transfer their efforts to spinal cord research; and,
Enable researchers with novel ideas to test their ideas and develop pilot data for seeking larger awards from NIH and other funding sources.

Either senior scientists or postdoctoral fellows may serve as principal investigators. If the latter, the applicant must submit a letter of support from the laboratory’s senior scientist, as well as two other appropriate letters of reference.

Deadlines

MCPF has two semiannual grant periods. The deadlines are March 31 and September 30. Although we generally turn around proposal reviews in less time, please allow 180 days for a decision on your request.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

From a reviewer’s perspective, applications that succeed tend to share these strengths:

✔ Alignment with MCPF Mission:

Clear linkage to paralysis research (especially SCI), with a compelling narrative about how the work fits into the field’s needs. Institut de Recerca SJD

✔ Strong Proof-of-Concept Focus:

Projects that set up next steps for larger funding or follow-on translational work (e.g., therapy testing, mechanistic insight) are especially competitive. Morton Cure Paralysis Fund

✔ Feasible and Well-Scaffolded Aims:

Because funding is modest and short-term, proposals should have straightforward, measurable outcomes, not overly ambitious multi-phase plans. Morton Cure Paralysis Fund

✔ Clear Experimental Plan:

Methods, milestones, and evaluation metrics should be elaborated neatly, with attention to sample sizes, controls, and potential pitfalls/alternatives. Morton Cure Paralysis Fund

✔ Experienced Team or Mentorship:

For early-career investigators, involving experienced collaborators or mentors increases confidence reviewers have in successful execution. scientifyRESEARCH

🛠 Practical Tips for Applicants

✔ Engage potential collaborators early — particularly if your work spans preclinical and translational approaches.
✔ Frame the narrative around paralysis outcomes — not just basic biology — to resonate with MCPF mission priorities.
✔ Justify how MCPF funding will unlock next steps (e.g., pilot data for NIH/other foundation grants).
✔ Keep the scope realistic for the typical one-year award period.
✔ Provide institutional support letters to demonstrate readiness.

📌 Summary: Morton Cure Paralysis Fund

Feature	Details
Mission	Support SCI/paralysis research with an eye to generating data for larger grants. Morton Cure Paralysis Fund
Funding Type	Small research grants to accelerate therapy development. Morton Cure Paralysis Fund
Target Applicants	Early-career to senior researchers at accountable institutions, global eligibility. scientifyRESEARCH
Typical Award Size	Up to ~$75,000 (one year). Institut de Recerca SJD
Key Strength Factors	Relevance to paralysis, feasibility, innovation, translational trajectory. Morton Cure Paralysis Fund

🔍 When This Is a Good Fit

✔ Your research focuses on spinal cord injury and paralysis mechanisms or therapies
✔ You need pilot/proof-of-concept support to generate data for larger funding
✔ You are ready to achieve well-defined deliverables in ~1 year

Specialties

Neurosciences

Eligibility Requirements

The responsibilities of recipients of research funding are clearly detailed in the contract signed by MCPF, by the principal investigator, and by the contracting institution. Of particular importance to note prior to application:

Research contracts are signed for one-year periods.
Grantees must provide MCPF a six-month progress report and a final report upon project completion using MCPF-specified formats.
If the PI leaves the institution listed in the grant proposal prior to the completion of the project, MCPF reserves the right to request a return of the grant. (MCPF wants to ensure that the project is completed as agreed.)
The principal investigator is expected to share with MCPF copies of all publications that emerge as a result of the funded research, during and after the period of the contract. The PI may also be asked to draft a lay-oriented description of the funded research for publication in MCPF's newsletter or for other use.
The principal investigator is required to give a video presentation with an overview of the project or such other media as agreed to by MCPF such as appearing on the MCPF podcast.
The Principal Investigator is expected to review future MCPF projects submitted to us in at least one of our biannual submittal cycles, if requested.
The principal investigator is encouraged to make full use of research results using the usual avenues for dissemination (i.e., scientific journals and conferences). MCPF expects grantees to acknowledge the source of funding (“The Morton Cure Paralysis Fund”) in all such publications and presentations.
Publicity releases or other public statements aimed at sharing results with lay audiences must be reviewed by MCPF prior to issuance to ensure that such statements are congruent with reports made to MCPF. If a serious lack of congruence is perceived, MCPF will not allow its association with the research to be publicized. MCPF is concerned that results of its funding program be responsibly publicized.
Research grant awardees must notify MCPF if an application for patent or copyright is being considered to allow us to participate in the application process if we judge this course to be the most appropriate in the given situation.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Morton Cure Paralysis Fund

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 5021 Vernon Ave., Suite 145 Minneapolis, MN 55436 (612) 904-1420 Fax: (480) 705-0434 info@mcpf.org

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