SMSRF is accepting proposals for our second grant worth $50,000 to study the RAI1 protein associated with SMS, a rare microdeletion syndrome of chromosome 17. Currently, it is believed that the neurocognitive abnormalities associated with SMS are secondary to reduced expression of the RAI1 protein, however, little is known regarding its actual function or its association with other proteins and how its absence or diminished availability results in mild to moderate intellectual disability.

Our foundation would like to provide funding to an investigator who can initiate a study that can begin to elucidate these issues with the hope that it will lead to an NIH funded grant and eventual therapeutic opportunities.

This is a 12-month grant that will be distributed in two payments of $25,000 each. The Board of the SMSRF will deliver the first installment immediately upon approval. The second installment will be distributed 6 months later upon review and approval of a status report delivered to the Board by the investigator.

It is expected that no more than 8% of the grant will go to indirect costs. These costs will be added to the total loan so grant is $54,000.00.

Important Dates:
Submission Deadline: 4/1/2012
Grant Award Date: 5/1/2012

Submission of status report expected at 6 months but no later than 9 months from Award Date.

Contact information:

Please e-mail completed applications in PDF format to cmiannuzzi@msn.com or mail to:

Dr. Christopher Iannuzzi
49 Granite Drive
Wilton, CT 06897

Please email cmiannuzzi@msn.com for questions or comments.