Attracting and retaining top research talent is vital to improving therapies for peripheral neuropathy. Some of the brightest researchers are often drawn to well-known disciplines with the largest funding pools – such as cancer research.
To combat this challenge, FPN works in partnership with the American Brain Foundation and the American Academy of Neurology to facilitate a Clinical Research Training Scholarship (CRTS). The CRTS is administered through ABF’s Next Generation Research Grants program and is a two-year $150,000 scholarship program. This program empowers emerging experts in neuropathy to develop innovative solutions that improve the treatment or prevention of PN. An additional goal of the program is to encourage these practitioners to stay in the field of neuropathy research and advance progress toward better outcomes.
What is the Clinical Research Training Scholarship?
The CRTS is a multi-year scholarship program providing funding for emerging experts in PN, supporting their efforts to advance treatments, prevention, and cures. This early-career exposure strengthens the case for these experts to stick with neuropathy research—laying the groundwork for more treatments and ultimately, cures.
Since 1993, approximately $33M has been provided to more than 300 early-career researchers. Over 80% of recipients have gone on to secure additional research funding from the NIH (National Institutes of Health), NIA (National Institute on Aging), and other sources—accelerating research progress toward better outcomes for patients.
“There are very few people who want to study PN [due to the lack of funding], but I’m a physician scientist looking for ways to treat this disease in [a patient’s] lifetime. Because of this grant, I have been able to continue my research.” – Francesco Michelassi, MD, PhD, 2024 CRTS recipient
PN research updates
In 2023, FPN awarded two scholarships to early-career neuropathy researchers – Dr. Paula Barreras from Johns Hopkins University and Dr. Erika Williams from Massachusetts General Brigham. These projects recently passed their half-way point, and FPN is excited to share the following updates on how these research projects are coming along.
Read more about Dr. Barreras’ research on Identifying Biomarkers and Pathogenic Mechanisms in Sarcoidosis-Associated Small Fiber Neuropathy.
Read more about Dr. Williams’ research on Mapping the Gene Expression of the Complex Peripheral Autonomic Nervous System.