KCNQ2 Currents Grant Program

The KCNQ2 Cure Alliance invites applications for the KCNQ2 Currents Grant Program. This year-round, rolling Request for Proposals (RFP) is intended to promote innovative basic, translational, or clinical research projects directly relevant to KCNQ2-related disorders.

Projects must address critical gaps in knowledge, therapeutic development, or clinical care, with a clear pathway toward impact for the KCNQ2 patient community.

Indirect costs are not covered.

Eligibility

Applicants may be US- or foreign-based and must be affiliated and in good standing with a research or academic institution (excluding for-profit companies).

• KCNQ2 biomarkers that predict disease course and/or responsiveness to treatment.
• Mortality in KCNQ2-related disorders.
• Understanding the mechanisms of epileptogenesis in KCNQ2-related disorders.
• Development or treatments of enhanced models to study KCNQ2-related disorders.
• Understanding of the cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms that contribute to the pathogenesis of KCNQ2-related disorders.
• Revealing causes and interventions for comorbidities in KCNQ2-related disorders.
• Development of novel treatments and interventions that will prevent the onset or halt the progression of KCNQ2-related disorders. This includes research that may overcome current hurdles in size and delivery of ASO and full gene-therapy approaches.

1. Program opensYear-round (rolling submission)
2. LOI decision2–3 weeks from receipt
3. Full proposal dueWithin 3 months of invitation
4. Scientific review4–5 weeks
5. Committee review2 weeks
6. Applicant notified5 days after review

Funding decisions are provided within 2–3 months of submission.

• LOIs are accepted at any time. Upload yours using the LOI form.
• The preference is for a maximum of 2 pages describing the project’s aims, rationale, preliminary data, timeline, and budget estimate.
• Please use a size 11 font or larger with margins of at least 0.5 inches.
• All documents should be submitted as PDFs.

Full proposals are by invitation only and based on an approved LOI. Applications should be in 11-point font or larger, with margins of at least 0.5 inches, and must be submitted within 90 days of receiving the invitation. Submit using the full proposal form or email research@kcnq2cure.org, and include the following sections:

1. Title pagePDF

   Use this form to enter the proposal title and PI information.

2. Abstract1 page max, PDF

   A single page including a scientific abstract and a lay abstract.

   • The scientific abstract should convey the research hypothesis, goals, importance, and impact.
   • The lay abstract should convey the same information in language that someone without scientific training can understand clearly. It is used for family reviewers and in the Board of Directors’ decision-making process following scientific review, so care should be taken that the description is clear, accurate, and emphasizes the realistic impacts of the project.
3. Budget and budget justificationcombined into 1 PDF

   Provide a detailed budget and justification. The justification should explain each budget line item, including why specific personnel and/or supplies are critical to the proposed study. Expenses must be in U.S. dollars.

   Allowable direct costs	Unallowable costs
   Salary/consultant costs	Salary for PI
   Salary/stipend and related benefits for graduate student, postdoctoral fellow, or technical support	General office supplies and institutional administrative charges (e.g., telephone, electronic communication, IT network)
   Travel requests (reviewed as needed)	Tuition
   Laboratory supplies and other research expenses	Professional membership dues
   	Pre-award charges
   	Any other expenses not directly related to the project

4. Research proposal5 pages max, PDF

   Background and significance, preliminary data, experimental approach, methods, expected outcomes, and discussion of potential pitfalls and alternative approaches.

5. Impact statement and commitment to dissemination and publication1 page max, combined into 1 PDF

   How the research will impact the understanding, treatment, or care of people with KCNQ2-related disorders, and your plans and commitment to timely dissemination of findings. This includes submitting results, whether positive or negative, to peer-reviewed journals and presenting them at relevant scientific or clinical meetings.

6. Referencesno page limit, PDF
7. Bibliographyno page limit, PDF

   Please provide citations in NIH format (listing all authors).

8. Curriculum vitae/biosketch4 pages max, PDF

   Please use NIH format. For multi-PI applications, submit a CV/biosketch for each PI. See an example.

9. Responsible AI

   We expect that submissions using AI include appropriate responsible AI citations and references.

File names: all files should start with the PI’s last name, followed by a brief document name. For example: SMITH CV, SMITH Cover Page, SMITH Budget.

Scientific review

• Proposals are reviewed by an expert panel for scientific merit, innovation, feasibility, and relevance to KCNQ2-related disorders.
• KCNQ2 Cure family reviewers will assess patient and community impact.
• Applicants will receive structured feedback; final decisions will be based on combined scientific and community perspectives.

Proposal content and review criteria

Project proposal

Is the proposed project of high scientific quality? Is the budget fully justified and reasonable for the proposed project?

Background

Is the fundamental objective of the study and hypothesis to be addressed clearly defined?

Scientific approach

Will the proposed specific aims answer the study hypothesis? Will the scientific approach effectively test and answer each specific aim? Are the study goals supported by existing data? Are there projected plans for the project beyond the experiments proposed in this pilot grant phase, including through funding by alternative sources (NIH, other grantee institutions)?

Clinical impact

Is the answer to the study hypothesis important to our ability to treat KCNQ2-related disorders? Will the proposed research lead to substantial advances and/or contribute to large leaps of understanding or knowledge that will contribute to an improved quality of life, better control of seizures, improved cognition, and/or a greater survival rate?

Research significance

Does the study address an important question that is not likely to be addressed without this funding? Does it offer a unique opportunity to explore an important issue and/or employ a novel approach to this disease research? Will the outcomes advance our knowledge of this disease and/or change the focus of future research questions or the way we conduct research on this issue? Is the planned research connected to any current or planned future programs?

Investigator qualifications

One consideration for this grant program is attracting new talent to KCNQ2 research. While the investigator should have access to the resources and environment necessary to complete the proposed work, this grant is not limited to scientists currently working on KCNQ2; we encourage junior and senior investigators not currently working in this area to apply.

The following terms and conditions will apply to the awarded grantee/institution and subcontract institutions. The Award is contingent upon the availability of funds and is subject to the Terms and Conditions herein, which may be revised from time to time. By accepting an Award, the Principal Investigator and the Grantee Institution agree to be bound by the Terms and Conditions.

• All funds shall be used exclusively for the purposes provided for in the Award Application and in strict compliance with the approved Budget.
• Awardees must provide quarterly and final scientific and financial progress reports.
• Reallocations between budget categories (Personnel, Supplies, Other Expenses) of 10% or less are allowable. Budget revisions exceeding 10% between categories require justification and prior approval from the KCNQ2 Cure Alliance.
• Oversight for the use of animals and/or humans is the responsibility of the Grantee Institution. The Grantee Institution and Principal Investigator agree that animal and/or human use will comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to current EPA, FDA, USDA, and NIH guidelines.
• Appropriate citation of all collaborations must be included in all publications resulting from the Award.
• All final data sets and observations must be shared openly with the full scientific community, and all reagents and/or research tools developed under this Award must be made accessible upon request.
• A summary of outcomes for lay audiences is required.
• Investigators are encouraged to publish findings in a manner that maximizes accessibility to the scientific and patient communities and to share outcomes that advance understanding, treatment development, or clinical care for individuals with KCNQ2-related disorders.
• KCNQ2 Cure Alliance, in collaboration with the grantee, reserves the right to publicize and share information about the research and its findings in its communications about the organization’s work with proper attribution.

Step 1: Submit your letter of intent

Upload your LOI as a PDF. We’ll reply within 2–3 weeks.

Step 2: Submit your full proposal (by invitation only)

If your LOI is approved and you are invited to submit a full proposal, download and complete the title page and CV/biosketch, then upload all required files as PDFs below.