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    Research Grant Program

    Innovative research starts with bold ideas. We invest in high-impact projects that advance the science of PWS and SYS, foster collaboration, and accelerate the path to meaningful treatments.

    Apply For Funding

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    Our Funded Research

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    The Foundation for Prader-Willi Research (FPWR) funds innovative research that advances our understanding of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and Schaaf-Yang syndrome (SYS) and accelerates the development of meaningful treatments.

    Through two competitive grant cycles each year, FPWR supports high-impact basic, translational, and clinical research from investigators around the world. We encourage bold ideas, new collaborations, and projects that have the potential to transform care for individuals living with PWS and SYS.

    Whether you are an established investigator entering the field or an early-career researcher launching a new line of inquiry, FPWR welcomes innovative proposals aligned with our research priorities.

    What We Fund

    FPWR prioritizes the funding of research that will ultimately lead to new treatments for people with PWS and SYS. Our funding priority areas include:

    • Understanding PWS genetics
    • Neurobiology of hunger/feeding behavior and metabolism
    • Cognition, behavior, and mental health
    • Evaluation of existing drugs, devices, and interventions 
    • Development of novel drugs, devices, and genetic therapies
    Learn About Our Funding Priorities

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    Funding Available

    Applicants may request:

    • Up to $150,000 USD in direct costs
    • An initial project period of 18 months
    • An optional competitive renewal for an additional 18 months
    • Indirect costs of up to 8%

    Applicants may request a smaller budget and/or shorter project duration when appropriate.

     

    Who Is Eligible?

    FPWR welcomes applications from investigators at:

    • Academic institutions
    • Government agencies
    • Nonprofit research organizations
    • For-profit research organizations

    Researchers from both the United States and international institutions are encouraged to apply.

    Principal Investigators must hold a primary faculty appointment at the level of Instructor or higher.

    Our grant program is particularly well suited for:

    • Early-career investigators establishing an independent research program
    • Established researchers entering the PWS or SYS field
    • Investigators pursuing innovative pilot studies or proof-of-concept research
    • Collaborative teams exploring novel therapeutic approaches

     

    Application Process

    FPWR uses a two-stage, peer-reviewed application process.

    Step 1: Letter of Intent (LOI)

    Letters of intent are limited to a 2-page description and will be reviewed for innovation and potential impact, merit, and relevance to the mission of FPWR.

    Selected LOIs will be invited to submit a full grant proposal.

    FPWR prioritizes innovative, high-risk/high-reward projects with strong potential to improve the lives of individuals with PWS and SYS.

    Step 2: Full Proposal

    Full grant proposals are limited to a 5-page research plan.

    Eligible proposals will undergo rigorous scientific peer review by experts with relevant subject-matter expertise. An advocate reviewer will evaluate the relevance of the proposed research to the PWS and/or SYS community.

    Final funding decisions will be based on scientific merit, relevance, and alignment with FPWR's strategic research priorities.

    All Letters of Intent and full applications must be submitted through ProposalCentral. Detailed application instructions, review criteria, submission deadlines, and proposal requirements are available through ProposalCentral.

    To better understand FPWR's funding priorities, you can also explore:

    FPWR welcomes highly integrated, multi-disciplinary research teams to address ambitious and challenging research questions that are important for the mission of FPWR and are beyond the scope of one or two investigators. If your project fits into this category, please contact Theresa Strong, PhD, Director, Research Programs at theresa.strong@fpwr.org.

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    Application Deadlines

     

    Fall 2026

    Letters of Intent due September 4, 2026

    Proposals due November 13, 2026

    Spring 2027

    Letters of Intent due February 26, 2027

    Proposals due May 14, 2027

     

    Apply Now

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    Questions

    If you have questions regarding our grant program or about submitting a proposal, please contact:

    Jessica Bohonowych, PhD
    Associate Director, Research Programs
    Jessica.Bohonowych@fpwr.org

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    Stay Up to Date on Funding Opportunities

    Sign up to receive notifications about funding opportunities, requests for proposals (RFPs), scientific meetings, research resources, and other updates from FPWR.