FTD Biomarkers Initiative

The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD), with support from the Holloway Family Fund, the Alzheimer’s Association, and other partners, is accepting applications for the 2025 FTD Biomarkers Initiative Grants. This initiative aims to support research that advances the development of biomarkers for frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). FTLD encompasses a group of neurodegenerative disorders including behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), ALS-FTD, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal syndrome (CBS), and some primary progressive aphasia (PPA) disorders. Diagnosis of these conditions is currently complex, requiring specialized clinical assessment and imaging, often resulting in delayed or inaccurate diagnosis. This grant initiative is designed to accelerate the development and validation of diagnostic biomarkers. Such biomarkers are critical tools that can enable earlier, more accurate diagnosis, help distinguish between pathological subtypes, and guide clinical care and prognosis. The initiative recognizes that improved diagnostic access also benefits research by allowing earlier and more precise identification of participants for clinical studies and trials. Applicants may request funding ranging from $250,000 to $700,000 in U.S. dollars. Funding decisions will be based on the stage of development and scope of the proposed project. Awards may be granted for a duration of up to two years. Projects must include a detailed budget and justification. Institutions that are academic or non-profit may allocate up to 10 percent of their approved budget for indirect costs. For-profit companies such as biotechnology or diagnostics firms are also eligible to apply. Collaborative applications are encouraged, especially those bridging academia and industry or integrating researchers at different career stages or from different disease areas like ALS and FTD. Eligibility is open to investigators worldwide. However, postdoctoral researchers may not serve as lead Principal Investigators, though they may participate as co-investigators. AFTD is committed to enhancing diversity within the scientific workforce and encourages submissions from historically excluded or underrepresented populations in research. The application portal will open in March 2025. All applications must be submitted by May 9, 2025. Applicants will be notified of award decisions in late summer to early fall of 2025. Funded projects are expected to begin within three months of notification. Detailed application guidelines and the full request for proposals are available as downloadable PDFs on the AFTD website. Applications must be submitted through the AFTD submission portal. Questions about the opportunity may be directed to AFTD by email at research@theaftd.org or by phone at 267-758-8654. General inquiries can also be directed to AFTD’s main office at 866-507-7222.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate a strong understanding of the complexities of FTLD and present a clear plan for how their proposed biomarkers will address the current diagnostic limitations.