The BIG Center and Carol and Gene Ludwig Initiative in Neuroimmunology Research provides seed grants to support high-risk/high-reward research projects in the promising area of neuroimmunology of aging-associated disorders, with the goal of building a cohort of researchers focusing on the mechanisms of neurodegeneration and translation of the new knowledge into clinically useful tools.
Ludwig Seed Grant Funding Opportunity
Funding Amount
$100,000/yr/project (provided in 2 installments; second installment after 5 months is progress-based).
Call for Proposals
Application Deadline: May 1, 2025
Anticipated Award Decision: June 1, 2025
Key Dates and Submission Information
- Application: May 1, 2025
- Anticipated Award Decision: June 1, 2025
- Project Duration: 12 months from June 1 – May 31
Send full application packages to Tracy Duckett at duckettt@wustl.edu prior to the application deadline.
Eligibility
Tenured or tenure-track Faculty on an Investigator Track may request up to $100,000 and must be an active member of the BIG Center (new members are welcome, assuming they will actively participate in BIG center activities). The program is expected to fund two grants per year over the next 3 years (renewals are allowed for successful proposals).
Projects will be reviewed by BIG Center Leadership that will consider scientific merit, innovation, potential for external funding, and ability to advance understanding of neuroimmune interactions in aging-related neurodegenerative disorders.
Interim progress report of 1 page + budget report is expected 5 months after the start. Continuation of funding will depend on the progress made. No cost extension is allowed.
Each funded investigator is expected to be an active member of the BIG center seminar series and will present their finding ~10 months after the start of the program as part of BIG seminar series.
Topics of Interest
The Carol and Gene Ludwig Initiative in Neuroimmunology Research Seed Grant Program seeks applications focused on neuroimmunology of aging-related neurodegenerative disorder. We welcome both basic science and clinical applications. Innovation and out-of-box thinking are the primary criteria for funding.
Budget
Allowable costs include:
- Personnel time and effort
- Fringe and associated personnel costs
- Direct research expenses including supplies, services, animals, etc.
Funding will be allocated up to $100,000 in two installments of $50,000 pending successful progress report after 5 months.
Application Requirements
- See attached form
Review Criteria
- Impact
- Innovation
Reporting Requirements
Awardees will be referred to as “Ludwig Fellows” and are required to submit an interim report after 5 months and a full report + presentation after ~10 months.
Administrative Requirements
Any changes to the project direction require prior approval from the committee.
Major changes (over 25%) to the project team’s level of effort commitment require approval from the committee.
Major changes in the project direction require prior approval from the committee.
Key Contacts
Jonathan Kipnis kipnis@wustl.edu
David Holtzman holtzman@wustl.edu
Marco Colonna mcolonna@wustl.edu