+ More Filters

Reset Filters

Title

Funding Organization

Funding Type

Eligible Country

Deadline

Other (Select all that apply)

Show Expired Programs

Show Verified Programs

Verified

The Francis S. Collins Scholars Program in Neurofibromatosis Clinical and Translational Research

Neurofibromatosis Therapeutic Acceleration Program

Program overview

The Francis S. Collins Scholars Program is for talented post-doctoral researchers or early-career faculty members looking to make a significant impact in clinical and translational research for NF1.

Named for the pioneering scientist who led a team that discovered the NF1 gene in 1990, The Francis S. Collins Scholars Program accepts applications from candidates who are committed to advancing the frontiers of NF1 research and clinical care. This highly competitive program, which was launched in 2014, has inducted close to 20 clinician scientists who now hold positions of leadership in the field. It provides formal training in clinical and translational science, mentorship from leaders in NF1 and related fields, and clinical training for the care of patients with NF1.

As a Francis S. Collins Scholar, you will receive up to 100% salary support for NF1-associated clinical, research, educational and mentorship activities.

This is a career-changing opportunity to join a community of scientists committed to making a lasting impact in NF1 research and clinical care.

Funding, mentoring and resources

Full salary for 3 years
Training in the care of NF1 patients
Tuition support and formal training in clinical translational science
Participation in collaborative translational research programs with government, academic and industry partners
Funding for research costs
Travel costs for scientific meetings
High-level mentoring support from top scientists

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Absolute, Explicit Focus on NF1 Therapeutic Development

NTAP is laser-focused on accelerating treatments for:

Plexiform neurofibromas (PN)

Cutaneous neurofibromas (cNF)

NF1 tumor biology and therapeutic vulnerabilities

Projects must show a direct path toward therapy development.

Commonly funded areas:

Drug discovery or drug repurposing

Biomarker discovery for therapeutic monitoring

Preclinical models testing treatment response

Molecular pathways that drive PN or cNF

Therapeutic target validation

Translational studies linking patient samples to therapy development

❗ Predictor: If a proposal is not directly linked to creating or advancing a therapy, it rarely succeeds.

2. Fit to NTAP’s Strategic Priorities

NTAP regularly communicates strategic focus areas such as:

Model systems enabling therapy development (organoids, PDX, genetic models)

Response biomarkers for trials

Drug screening platforms

Cutaneous neurofibroma treatment pathways

Combination therapy rationales

Mechanisms of resistance to MEK inhibitors (e.g., selumetinib)

Clinical trial-enabling studies

Predictor: Align your proposal with a clearly identified NTAP strategic gap, not a generic NF1 study.

3. Strong Preliminary Data Demonstrating Feasibility

NTAP expects evidence that:

The model or system works

The therapeutic target is promising

Pilot efficacy data supports further testing

Human tissue or cell access is secured

Necessary collaborations are in place

Predictor: Robust pilot data is one of the strongest indicators of competitiveness.

4. Emphasis on Translational or Preclinical Impact

NTAP is not a basic research foundation.

Successful applications show:

A defined translational endpoint (e.g., drug lead, biomarker, trial-ready intervention)

Work that can move quickly into IND-enabling or clinical feasibility steps

A timeline that fits within 1–2 years for concrete outcomes

Predictor: Translational relevance is essential.

5. Use of NF1-Relevant Human Samples or Valid Models

Strong proposals leverage:

NF1 patient-derived cells

cNF or PN tissue samples

NF1 organoids, spheroids, or engineered systems

NF1 mouse models (e.g., Nf1 floxed lines, Dhh-Cre, Prss56 models)

Data from natural history studies or clinical cohorts

Predictor: Use of disease-relevant, validated NF1 models significantly boosts competitiveness.

6. Clear, Focused Specific Aims with Measurable Milestones

NTAP-funded projects typically include:

2–3 tightly scoped aims

Milestone-based design (go/no-go gates)

Well-defined preclinical endpoints

Short timelines with feasible execution

Risk mitigation strategies

Predictor: Concrete deliverables and milestones are highly valued.

7. Strong Collaboration and Multi-Disciplinary Expertise

NTAP is deeply collaborative and encourages:

Multi-PI or multi-institution teams

Integration of molecular biology + pharmacology + clinical insights

Partnerships with NF clinical trial consortia

Shared data and resource plans

Predictor: Proposals with cross-disciplinary and multi-site teams score higher.

8. Strong Justification Based on Patient Need

Funded projects often articulate:

A critical unmet need (e.g., few options for cNF treatment)

How the project accelerates therapy timelines

How outcomes will affect NF1 patient care

Pathways for future clinical translation

Predictor: Patient-centered framing improves impact score.

9. Clear Institutional Support & Resources

Successful applications demonstrate:

Access to NF1 clinical cohorts

Access to patient samples

Bioinformatics, pharmacology, or imaging cores

Departmental support, protected time, and infrastructure

Predictor: Strong environment increases reviewer confidence.

10. Highly Polished, Reviewer-Friendly Writing

Top-scoring NTAP proposals:

Are very clear and concise

Provide strong visual preliminary data

Explain rationale in NF1 context, not general cancer biology

Make translational impact explicit

Clearly outline expected therapeutic acceleration steps

Predictor: Clear storytelling elevates scoring and enthusiasm.

🏆 Summary Table — NTAP Success Predictors

Predictor	Why It Matters
Direct NF1 therapeutic relevance	Core mission requirement
Alignment with NTAP priorities	Ensures reviewer excitement
Strong preliminary data	Demonstrates feasibility
Translational/preclinical focus	NTAP is therapy-driven
NF1-relevant models	Ensures human relevance
Clear, milestone-driven aims	Fits NTAP project structure
Collaborations	Enhances impact and feasibility
Patient-centered justification	Aligns with mission impact
Strong environment	Supports execution
Clear writing	Improves reviewer enthusiasm

Specialties

Clinical Trials

Neurosurgery

Neurosciences

Eligibility Requirements

Must hold a health professional degree that permits patient care and be committed to engaging in clinical care.
Commit at least 75% of professional time to the program for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years.
Be in the last year of post-doctoral training or be a junior faculty member within seven years of the first faculty appointment.
Have a commitment to patient-focused research in the field of NF1.
Demonstrate prior research commitment and accomplishments.
Have a team of up to four people that includes research, clinical, and career mentors who are committed to the candidate’s training, expertise in the proposed research skill set, and in the clinical management of NF1.
Agree to meet all of the requirements of the Francis S. Collins Scholars Program in Neurofibromatosis Clinical and Translational Research, including participation in required Scholars meetings and activities.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Neurofibromatosis Therapeutic Acceleration Program

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 600 North Wolfe Street, Meyer 8-149, Baltimore, MD 21287.

Legal & Affiliation Disclaimer

Affiliation Disclaimer: Trialect operates independently and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or supported by any sponsors or organizations posting on the GrantsBoard platform. As an independent aggregator of publicly available funding opportunities, Trialect provides equal access to information for all users without endorsing any specific funding source, content, organization, or sponsor. Trialect assumes no responsibility for the content posted by sponsors or third parties.

Subscription Disclaimer: Upon logging into Trialect, you may choose to SUBSCRIBE to GrantsBoard for timely notifications of funding opportunities and to access exclusive benefits, such as priority alerts, reminders, personalized recommendations, and additional application support. However, users are advised to contact sponsors directly for any questions and are not required to subscribe to engage with funding opportunities.

Content Ownership and Copyright Disclaimer: Trialect respects the intellectual property rights of all organizations and individuals. All content posted on GrantsBoard is provided solely for informational purposes and remains the property of the original owners. Trialect does not claim ownership of, nor does it have any proprietary interest in, content provided by third-party sponsors. Users are encouraged to verify content and ownership directly with the posting sponsor.

Fair Use Disclaimer: The information and content available on GrantsBoard are compiled from publicly accessible sources in alignment with fair use principles under U.S. copyright law. Trialect serves as an aggregator of this content, offering it to users in good faith and with the understanding that it is available for public dissemination. Any organization or individual who believes their intellectual property rights have been violated is encouraged to contact us for prompt resolution.

Third-Party Posting Responsibility Disclaimer: Trialect is a neutral platform that allows third-party sponsors to post funding opportunities for informational purposes only. Sponsors are solely responsible for ensuring that their postings comply with copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. Trialect assumes no liability for any copyright or intellectual property infringements in third-party content and will take appropriate action to address any substantiated claims.

Accuracy and Verification Disclaimer: Trialect makes no warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided by sponsors. Users are advised to verify the details of any funding opportunity directly with the sponsor before taking action. Trialect cannot be held liable for any discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies in third-party postings.

Notice and Takedown Policy: Trialect is committed to upholding copyright law and protecting the rights of intellectual property owners. If you believe that content on GrantsBoard infringes your copyright or intellectual property rights, please contact us with detailed information about the claim. Upon receipt of a valid notice, Trialect will promptly investigate and, where appropriate, remove or disable access to the infringing content.

View Funding Opportunity