Pilot-Feasibility Grant

The Network for Advancing Sex Chromosome Aneuploidy Research Readiness (NASCARR) Pilot-Feasibility Core of the RDCRN is excited to announce its inaugural call for pilot grant proposals to address unmet needs in sex chromosome aneuploidy (SCA) clinical research.

NASCARR is a national clinical research consortium dedicated to advancing medical research and clinical trial readiness in SCA conditions through collaboration, study enrollment and data sharing. The Pilot-Feasibility Core is designed to catalyze innovative, translational research with clear potential to inform and enable future clinical trials for one or more SCA populations.

This funding opportunity seeks proposals that generate novel data and approaches to accelerate SCA clinical trial readiness, including but not limited to:

• Biomarker discovery for phenotypes associated with morbidity/mortality in SCA conditions
• Development or validation of data collection tools and salient outcome measures for SCA conditions
• Evaluation of diagnostic or therapeutic approaches in SCA, including novel interventions, applications validated in other populations, and repurposed drugs

Awardees will benefit from access to the NASCARR network of established SCA researchers and patient/family advocacy partners, as well as:

• Consultation for protocol development and biostatistics
• Support for participant recruitment
• National clinical registry databases (INSIGHTS and GALAXY)
• Discounted next-generation sequencing or bloodspot analyses for diagnosis through the CU Personalized Medicine Institute and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
• Dissemination opportunities through NASCARR platforms

Applicants interested in these resources should contact Dr. David Hong prior to Submission of the LOI.

• Funding amount: $10,000–$20,000 (direct costs only, indirect costs are not allowed)
• Start date: June 1, 2026
• Duration: 12 months. A second year of support is possible depending on progress and available funds.

Academic faculty investigators at any U.S. institution are welcome to apply. Applicants from institutions outside of the NASCARR RDCRN are encouraged to apply in collaboration with a NASCARR faculty member. Trainee applicants must have a faculty sponsor.

LOIs will be evaluated for relevance to SCA clinical trial readiness and alignment with NASCARR Pilot-Feasibility Core goals. Selected applicants will be notified by December 19, 2025, and will be invited to submit a full application, due February 16, 2026. Awardees will be notified by May 4, 2026.

Submit a 1-page PDF (Arial 11pt font, single spaced, 0.5” margins) including:

1. Applicant name(s), position(s), and institution(s)
2. Brief description of project objectives and relevance to SCA clinical trial readiness
3. High-level overview of methods, study design, endpoints, planned enrollment, and key inclusion criteria