Overview

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.

Funding Scope and Duration

• Grants from $25,000 up to $50,000
• Project durations may range from 1 to 2 years
• Indirect costs are not covered

Our Priority Areas Include

• 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.

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).

Application Process and Timeline

• Program opens: Year-round (rolling submission)
• LOI Decision: 2-3 weeks from receipt
• Full Proposal Due: Within 3 months of invitation
• Scientific Review: 4-5 weeks
• Committee Review: 2 weeks
• Applicant Notified: 5 days after review

Letter of Intent (LOI)

• LOIs accepted at any time; Upload below.
• 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 Proposal (by invitation)

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 a full application to
research@kcnq2cure.org, and include the following sections:

1. Title Page [PDF]
   Use this form to enter the proposal title and PI information.
2. Abstract - 1 page max [PDF]
   Please include 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. The lay abstract is used for family reviewers and in the Board of Directors’ decision
     making process following scientific review, and care should be taken that the description is clear, accurate,
     and emphasizes the realistic impacts of the project.
3. Budget and Budget Justification- [combined into 1 PDF]
   Provide a detailed budget and justification. The budget justification page should explain and justify 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 Proposal - 5 pages max [PDF]
   This should include 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 Publication -1 page max [combined into 1 PDF]
   A statement on how the research will impact the understanding, treatment, or care of people with KCNQ2-related
   disorders. Applicants should describe their plans and commitment to the timely dissemination of research
   findings. This includes submitting results, whether positive or negative, to peer-reviewed scientific journals
   and presenting them at relevant scientific or clinical meetings.
6. References – no page limit [PDF]
7. Bibliography – no page limit [PDF]
   Please provide citations in NIH format (listing all authors).
8. Curriculum Vitae/Biosketch – 4 pages max [PDF]
   Please use NIH format. For multi-PI applications, please submit a CV/Biosketch for each PI. An example can be found here.
9. Responsible AI
   We expect that submissions using AI include appropriate responsible AI citations and references.

File names
ALL files to be uploaded should start with the PI's LAST NAME, followed by a brief document name. Examples:
SMITH CV, SMITH Cover Page, SMITH Budget

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

Grant Review Criteria

Award Information

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.

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.

Additional Information

For additional information, please contact Brooke Babineau at Brooke.Babineau@kcnq2cure.org.