The 2015 Million Dollar Bike Ride Pilot Grant Program is now open. Please first review the RFA guidelines before submitting your pre-application using the webform below. All pre-application submissions are due Monday, September 14, 2015 by 5:00 pm (EST). If your pre-application is approved, you will be notified with an invitation to submit a full-application, due October 19, 2015.

For questions regarding this pilot grant program, please contact Samantha Charleston at scharle@mail.med.upenn.edu, or (215) 573-6822.

Click here to view the 2015 MDBR Pilot Grant RFA Guidelines: 2015 MDBR Pilot Grant RFA Guidelines

Click here to submit your pre-application:

Research Focus Areas for Pilot Grants:

Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD): Adrenoleukodystrophy, or ALD, is an x-linked metabolic disorder, characterized by progressive neurologic deterioration due to demyelination of the cerebral white matter. The adult form, known as Adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN) develops in young adulthood, and in general, they progress more slowly. Beginning in their 20s and 30s, these young men exhibit neurological based motor lesions in their extremities. These lesions progress over many years and are inevitably accompanied by moderate to severe handicap. In approximately one third of these patients the central nervous system also becomes involved.

One $50,000 pilot grant is available with a focus on treatments for Adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN), the adult form of the disease. We are interested in proposals that would provide a path towards a treatment, including advancing the understanding of what can be used as endpoints when conducting an AMN trial. This grant is made possible by Team Stop ALD and the Stop ALD Foundation.