The 2017 Million Dollar Bike Ride Pilot Grant Program is now open! The MDBR Pilot Grant Program provides a one-year grant to support research related to a rare disease represented in the 2017 Million Dollar Bike Ride. Thirty-three (33) total grant opportunities are listed below.

Eligibility: All individuals holding a faculty-level appointment at an academic institution or a senior scientific position at a non-profit institution or foundation are eligible to respond to this RFA.

To Apply: Please review the RFA guidelines here. Interested applicants must first submit a Letter of Interest (LOI) which can be found here. This LOI is due by Monday, September 18, 2017 by 8pm EST. Full applications are accepted by invitation only after LOIs are approved.

Research Focus Areas for Pilot Grants:

1) Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD): One $101,164 pilot grant is available with a focus on a path towards treatment for Adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN). Grants should focus on activities that lead towards a clinical trial. Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is an X-linked metabolic disorder, characterized by progressive neurologic deterioration due to demyelination of the cerebral white matter. The adult form, Adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN), develops in young adulthood and in general, progresses more slowly than ALD. Beginning in their 20s and 30s, men and ~60% of women carriers exhibit neurological-based motor lesions in their extremities. These lesions progress over many years and are characterized by progressive spasticity, ataxia, incontinence, and sexual dysfunction that can also be accompanied by fatigue and depression. ALD/AMN can lead to severe disability. All current treatments are symptomatic and do not address the progressive nature of the disease. This grant is made possible by Team Stop ALD and the Stop ALD Foundation.