MYOTUBULAR TRUST - 2020 CALL FOR PROJECTS (OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS)

Background

The Myotubular Trust (UK Registered Charity No: 1137177) was set up in 2006 to raise money for research to find a cure and / or treatment for any of the genetic forms of centronuclear and myotubular myopathy.

There are a number of genetically distinct forms of centronuclear myopathy.  The commonest is x-linked, usually called myotubular myopathy, affecting in the vast majority of cases, only boys.  It is also usually the most severe, presenting in the new-born period and there are associated breathing and swallowing difficulties in addition to the general muscle weakness.  The other forms are either dominant or recessive in inheritance, are usually, but not always, milder, and vary widely.

2020 call for projects

Myotubular Trust is holding a 2020 call for research grants. We will require completed applications by 1700 hours GMT Friday 26th June 2020.  We anticipate making awards by early September.

We are looking to fund further projects that will help find a cure and / or a treatment for any form of centronuclear and myotubular myopathy (congenital X-linked recessive; congenital autosomal recessive; autosomal dominant), focusing on research that would not generally be funded by public or industrial funding sources.  This year we would also like to receive applications that shed light on the genotype/phenotype inter-relationships in centronuclear and myotubular myopathy.  This call will be open to research bodies internationally.

We will be looking for the following types of application:

1. A project grant applied for by a Principal Investigator to fund a project for 2-3 years duration to be carried out by a Post-Doctoral researcher, or PHD student
2. A Myotubular Trust fellowship – basic science (3-4 years duration), where the scientist has identified a group that he or she wants to work with. Award is made to a named individual.

In particular we would like to encourage the application of new technologies to research into centronuclear and myotubular myopathy; interventional trials; studies that shed light on genotype/phenotype inter-relationships and collaboration between different medical disciplines and / or different research institutions. We are also willing to consider applications which involve joint funding of new projects with other organisations.

Myotubular Trust’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) is chaired by Professor Francesco Muntoni of The Institute of Child Health, University College London. The SAB makes recommendations to the Myotubular Trust Trustees on which projects to fund,  based on scientific assessment and peer review.

Further information

Further guidance and an application form can be found on the website - https://myotubulartrust.org/research/grants-process/

If you wish to learn more about the Myotubular Trust, please see our website http://www.myotubulartrust.org or email [email protected]