AFTD Pilot Grants provide seed funding for innovative research projects in the preliminary stages of development, with an emphasis on early-career investigators in the process of establishing an independent research program. Projects funded through the Pilot Grant program are intended to generate data to support a follow-on grant application to the NIH, another public agency or a nonprofit organization.

AFTD funds three types of Pilot Grants:

• Basic Science Pilot Grants – These grants support projects focused on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying FTD.
• Susan Marcus Translational Research Pilot Grants – Funded by a generous donor, these grants support projects using human subjects or biofluid/tissue samples to answer questions about FTD pathology or to advance clinical practice.
• Well-Being in FTD Pilot Grants – These grants support nonpharmacological therapeutic interventions or state-of-the-art technologies with the potential to positively impact the daily quality of life for persons with FTD and their families.

Award Details (All Pilot Grant Categories)

• Funding period: 1 year
• Amount of award (USD): $60,000
• Application of funds: Direct costs only

Who can apply?

• New or early-stage investigators in the process of establishing an independent research program who
  • Have a faculty appointment or are serving a medical residency at an academic institution, teaching hospital, or other not-for-profit research institution; OR
  • Are employed in an equivalent position at a for-profit biotechnology start-up organization
• U.S. and international researchers
• Postdoctoral fellows cannot be Pilot Grant PIs, unless confirmation of a faculty appointment that will start within 3 months of the beginning of the funding period

2020 Well-Being in FTD Pilot Grant: Revised RFP and Application Deadline

A revised RFP for the 2020 Well-Being in FTD Pilot Grant is now available; click here to view.

Revised Deadline for Applications: October 2, 2020, 5:00 pm ET

2020 Basic Research Pilot Grant RFP and application deadline

The RFP for the 2020 Basic Science Pilot Grant is now available; click here to view.

Deadline for applications: October 9, 2020, 5:00 pm ET

Translational Research Pilot Grant

No awards in this category will be made in 2020. 

Timeline: 2020 Well-Being in FTD Pilot Grants

• July 2020: Revised RFP posted
• October 2, 2020: Application deadline
• December 2020: Funding decision announced

Timeline: 2020 Basic Science Pilot Grants

• August 2020: RFP posted
• October 9, 2020: Application deadline
• December 2020: Funding decision announced

For more information, please contact AFTD Research Manager Debra Niehoff, PhD ([email protected]).