AAN, ABF and MDA offer new two-year clinical training fellowship in muscular dystrophy

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN), the American Brain Foundation (ABF) and the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) have announced a new Clinical Research Training Fellowship in muscular dystrophy for 2017.

The two-year award will provide $130,000, including a $10,000 per year stipend for tuition to support education and research-related costs. The recipient will be announced at the 2017 AAN Annual Meeting in Boston.

This is the AAN and American Brain Foundation's first fellowship with the MDA, and the AAN's first fellowship specifically focused on the muscular dystrophies and the other neuromuscular disorders, which are the focus of the MDA.

"Since awarding the first research grant in 1993, the AAN has supported many investigators with a research focus on neuromuscular diseases. However, this is the first award specifically designated for the muscular dystrophies," said Robert Griggs, MD, FAAN, chair of the American Brain Foundation Research Advisory Committee, who was instrumental in bringing the three organizations together.

Recognizing the critical need for neurology research, the AAN Research Program has dedicated its grant-making efforts to further the commitment to make a profound difference in the lives of researchers and patients.

"This new award represents a commitment of the AAN to finding the cure for muscular dystrophy by providing critical support to a neurologist dedicated to the advancement of neurological research," added Aleksandar Videnovic, MD, MSc, FAAN, chair of the AAN work group on the award. "This partnership is timely because it coincides with the launch of the AAN's 2017 Research Program that includes a comprehensive portfolio of research opportunities in the field of neurology and neuroscience."

"We are honored to partner with the AAN and the American Brain Foundation to offer a new clinical training fellowship in muscular dystrophy," said Valerie A. Cwik, MD, MDA executive vice president and medical and scientific officer. "This work is part of the MDA's commitment to fund the best and brightest in muscular dystrophy research and to help expedite the discovery of safe and effective treatments for our families who desperately need them."

The AAN awards are the first step to a broader base of support, and the majority of AAN award recipients have gone on to receive research funding from the National Institutes of Health.

Applications for most awards will be accepted until October 1, 2016, and the fellowships will begin July 1, 2017. To learn more about available AAN Research Program awards or to apply, visit https://www.aan.com/research-and-awards/clinical-research-training-fellowships/.