Apply for a Grant

Overview

The Pediatric Low Grade Astrocytoma Foundation (PLGA), a national non-profit organization, was founded in 2007 by a group of dedicated parents, physicians and friends to improve the treatment, quality of life, and long-term outlook for children with PLGA through research, support, education, and advocacy.

The number one priority of PLGA Foundation is to act as a catalyst for researchers world-wide to turn their attention to the area of PLGA brain tumors and to award research grants for the most promising programs and studies which will lead to a better understanding of the causes of PLGA as well as the creation of more effective treatments and a cure for pediatric low grade astrocytoma tumors. 

Proposals related to basic and translational* projects that can advance understanding of the underlying biology of the development and treatment of PLGA tumors will be considered. Investigators in the early years of their careers are encouraged to apply.

PLGA Foundation will also consider funding start-up, dedicated PLGA research programs at specific medical institutions. (See PLGA Research Program at Dana Farber Cancer Institute for an example of such program.)

Award Description**

  • Award funding is based on size, impact and complexity of project.
  • Funding can be awarded over one, two or three year peiod.
  • Previous PLGA Foundation grant recipients are eligible to apply.

Timing and Criteria

The grant cycle is an on-going process throughout the year. Investigators from all over the world are invited to submit a 'Letter of Intent', at anytime throughout the year to PLGA Foundation. This 'Letter of Intent' should contain a brief synopsis, parameters, high-level budget and potential outcomes of the proposed study. This document will be reviewed by an expert panel and based on this feedback, a selected group of applicants will then invited to submit a full proposal.

Each proposal is peer reviewed by at least two leading experts in the specific area of research being studied. Only those proposals with the highest scores demonstrating the most potential to have a significant impact on the future of children with pediatric low grade astrocytoma tumors will be awarded.

The guidelines, forms and requirements for the grant proposal will be provided when pre-applicants are notified of PLGA Foundation solicitation.

The PLGA Foundation also collaborates with the Brain Tumor Society (BTS) and Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation for grant allocations.  In these instances, grant applications would be subject to the terms and conditions of the respective foundation.

Conditions

  • Grant recipients are required to submit progress reports to the Foundation on an interim basis.
  • Grantees must acknowledge the Foundation's support in all publications about the research.
  • No grants will be made to private individuals.
  • All grants are awarded with the understanding of 0% overhead.
  • PLGA grant awards do not cover debt reduction, capital improvements, or travel expenses.
  • Grant recipients must be willing to collaborate with other PLGA Foundation grant reciepients when appropriate.

Please email us at contact@fightplga.org or call 914-762-3494 with any questions.

*NIH definition of translational research: “the process of applying ideas, insights, and discoveries generated through basic scientific inquiry to the treatment or prevention of human disease.”

**The PLGA Foundation takes no financial interest in the outcome of the research.