At the end of last week, we announced the close of our for request for proposals (RFP) for clinical care research.
A clinical care RFP is an invitation for scientists to submit their best ideas for projects that address the clinical, psychological or social aspects of SMA. They explain what they want to study, how they plan to study it, and why they think it will help those affected by SMA.
The closing of the RFP means we can move on to the next step of the process, and make sure your donations reach scientists who can make a difference for our community.
This next step is a review by our Medical Advisory Council. They will carefully review all proposals to see which projects are the most intriguing, which have a well constructed study plan, and which match up with the most pressing unanswered questions about SMA.
Once this evaluation is complete, we determine which projects will receive a Cure SMA research grant. In December, we will announce those grants, which will include up to $50,000 for each project, for a total of $200,000 in new clinical care research funding.
Why We Fund Clinical Care Research
Clinical care research is the fourth prong in our research strategy. The first three—basic research, drug discovery, and clinical trials—focus primarily (though not exclusively) on helping us find a cure for SMA.
While we work toward a future without SMA, we’re also working to give individuals and families the information and resources they need to live active, engaged, and hopeful lives today. That’s why we’re funding clinical care research. Clinical care research seeks to understand the issues that affect daily life for people with SMA, from breathing to nutrition.
Clinical care research can also be used to help educate the medical community about SMA. The more health care providers understand SMA, the more families will be able to access a doctor who understands and can explain the care options available to them.