The Tourette Syndrome Association (TSA) funds basic and clinical research studies on all aspects of TS. Any study that has the potential to contribute to the treatment or understanding of TS will be considered


Eligibility

• Investigators are required to have an advanced degree such as a Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent.
• Applications from overseas investigators are welcome.
• Investigators from non-profit and for-profit organizations can apply.
• Previous experience in the field of movement disorders is desirable, but not essential. 

Funding Levels

Post-doc training fellowship: up to $40,000 for one year.
Research Grant Awards: up to $75,000 for one year or up to $150,000 for two years.

Budget

TSA will consider reasonable requests for:
• Salaries, laboratory supplies and other research-related expenses
• Travel expenses for investigators (up to $1,500)
• Research equipment up to $5,000 (excluding equipment for personal or office use [e.g. computers])
• Indirect costs of up to 10% may be included, but the total value of the grant may not exceed the levels stated above

Applications are Evaluated on the Basis of the Following Information:

• Candidate’s qualifications and objectives
• Candidate's experience relevant to the project
• Methodology
• Significance/relevance to the TS field
• Percentage of time to be devoted to project
• Adequacy and availability of research facilities and other project support
• Ability to complete project in stated time-frame


Clinical Studies:

Applicants for research grants involving clinical treatment are urged to read the following two documents:
• Considerations for Writing Clinical Treatment Studies Proposals (click here)
• Guidelines for Clinical Studies in Tourette syndrome (click here)

How to Apply:

For preliminary screening, a pre-proposal briefly describing the scientific basis and relevance of the proposed project is required. Pre-proposal application forms can be downloaded from our website http://tsa-usa.org/research.html from mid July each year. 

Applicants invited to submit a full research grant proposal will be provided with instructions for downloading application forms and uploading the completed forms to our website.


Generalized Time Line:

For specific deadlines for the next grant cycle, please refer to current grant announcement.

Pre-proposal Deadline: early September each year

Proposal Deadline: early November each year

Awards Announced: mid March each year

Commencement of Award:

Each award starts on the date that the first grant payment is made and extends for 12 (or 24) calendar months after that date. The first payment will be made only after all required documentation (grant acceptance form, patent policy form, indemnity policy, IRB/IACAC) has been received.

Payment Schedule:

1 Year Awards: 75% will be paid upon receipt of all documentation. The remaining 25% will be paid only after a satisfactory final report, written by the grantee, has been received.

2 Year Awards: 50% will be paid upon receipt of all documentation. The 2nd payment (25% of the award) will be made 12 months after the commencement of the grant, provided that a satisfactory interim report, written by the grantee, is received. The final payment (25% of the award) will be made 24 months after the commencement of the grant, provided that a satisfactory final report is received.

Progress Reports:

Interim Report: This report should be approximately 3 pages in length and must be emailed as a MS Word or Adobe PDF™ attachment to the TSA Research Office

Final Report: This report should be approximately 5 pages in length and must be emailed as a MS Word or Adobe PDF™ attachment to the TSA Research Office. The report must describe progress made in the project particularly with reference to the original research objectives outlined in the grant application. Relevant data in the form of tables, figures, graphs, etc. must be included in the report.

No Cost Extension:
Grantees may request a 6 month no-cost extension. A brief (2-3 pages) progress report must accompany the request. No Cost Extensions should be sent as an email attachment to the TSA Research Office.

Inquiries:
Please call 718-224-2999, ext. 247 or 222 or email