SCN8A Collaborative Grants

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Empowering SCN8A Research

Submit A Proposal

A global collaboration dedicated to advancing the research and treatment of SCN8A-related disorders

Review Eligibility and Application Process








    Proposals

    We are excited to announce, as a global, unified SCN8A community, the opening of the SCN8A Research Grants Program with the ultimate goal of identifying and developing effective and safe treatments for SCN8A-related disorders. This grant is made possible by the collaboration between the International SCN8A Alliance, The Cute Syndrome Foundation, SCN8A España, SCN8A UK & Ireland, SCN8A Netherlands, and all the generous supporters of our organizations.

    Eligibility

    This request for proposals (RFP) is open globally. International applicants are invited to apply. All individuals holding a faculty-level appointment at an academic institution are eligible to respond to this RFP.

    Funding

    Awardees will receive up to $50,000. These funds may not be used to cover indirect costs.

    Application Process

    Applicants should submit:

    1. 1 page standalone Specific Aims

    2. A project proposal, which includes:
      a. Research plan (5 page max), outlining the proposed innovation and aligning with one or more priority areas in the SCN8A Research Roadmap. Figures welcome and encouraged.
      b. Bibliography
      c. Lay summary of proposed research (up to 30 lines)
      d. Lay summary of proposed research impact and how it holds promise for improved understanding of SCN8A and/or improved outcomes (up to 30 lines)

    3. NIH style Biosketch for each PI

    4. Detailed budget and justification

    The research plan should include the following sections:

    1. Background

    2. Significance & Innovation
      a. Specify which area of the SCN8A Research Roadmap the research plan addresses

    3. Preliminary Data

    4. Research Strategy & Methods

    The research plan should also address the following questions:

    1. Do you require access to reagents, cell lines, animal models, IRB/ethical board approvals, and/or equipment necessary to complete work? If so, please describe your plan to gain access within the timeframe of this grant period.

    2. Have you identified qualified personnel to complete this project within the grant period? If not, please provide your plan to do so.

    Research Focus Areas

    The goal of the SCN8A Research Grants Program is to support research that can lead to the development of effective treatments for SCN8A-related disorders. The project should focus on a critical area of innovation and/or one or more of the following areas outlined in the SCN8A Research Roadmap:

    1. Transformative therapeutics, which may include:
      a. Novel gene therapies
      b. Safety of excessive up- or down-regulation of SCN8A expression
      c. Effectiveness of gene therapies, including developmental timing and varying disease severity
      d. Regulation of SCN8A expression, including transcriptional and epigenetic regulation

    2. Non-seizure outcomes, which may include:
      a. Documenting the spectrum of non-seizure comorbidities in SCN8A-related disorders
      b. Increase understanding of motor, behavioral, cognitive, or other comorbidity phenotypes
      c. Development of new animal models to better recapitulate non-seizure outcomes
      d. Documenting the progression of non-seizure comorbidities over time and associating with seizure outcomes

    3. Improving current therapeutics, which may include:
      a. Better understanding of seizure frequency in SCN8A-related disorders
      b. Better understanding of successful medication combinations for disease management

    4. Application of biomarkers, which may include:
      a. Identifying novel biomarkers for seizure activity and/or disease progression
      b. Validation of biomarkers

    5. Whole brain/whole body, which may include:
      a. The effects of GoF/LoF SCN8A variants on sodium channel physiology, neuronal excitability, and synaptic transmission
      b. Generating human iPSC lines and isogenic controls
      c. Investigating various neuronal & non-neuronal cell types in SCN8A-related disorders
      d. Increased understanding of circuit dynamics, synchronization, and epileptogenesis in SCN8A-related disorders

    Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with existing SCN8A researchers and to leverage existing disease models and data (e.g., animal models, cell lines, etc.). If a proposal includes the production of a new SCN8A community research resource, applicants should include a statement on resource sharing in their proposal.

    Deadline

    Friday April 10, 2026, at 11:59PM ET

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