Doris Duke seeks proposals on sickle cell disease, letter of intent due June 8

The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF) is planning to award $150,000 per year for three years to early-stage clinical research projects that have the potential to advance breakthroughs in Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). In particular, this program promotes collaborations and innovation that that will lead to scientific breakthroughs. Areas of interest include:

• Drug discovery;
• Genetic and genomic approaches to study variability in the severity of SCD, including those focused on SCD patient populations in Africa;
• Early phase corrective approaches, such as gene therapy and transplantation of blood-forming cells; and
• Identification of new risk factors or predictors of outcome.

Applicants must hold an advanced degree (MD, PhD, MD/PhD or the equivalent) and a faculty level appointment. Investigators who are new to the field of sickle cell research are encouraged to apply; however, junior investigators are encouraged to identify a senior co-investigator. Applicants do not have to be U.S. citizens, but must be affiliated with a U.S.-based institution. DDCF does not fund animal research.

Letters of intent are due June 8, 2011 (full applications due August 3). If you are interested in applying, the OHSU Foundation’s Corporate and Foundation Relations office is available for assistance in developing your proposal.

View the full announcement, or check out the rest of this week’s Funding Alerts.