Science That Changes Lives

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Scientific Partnerships Accelerating Research & Knowledge (SPARK) is a new collaborative program designed to accelerate progress on scientific and translational challenges that affect multiple neuromuscular diseases (NMDs).

SPARK brings together people with complementary expertise to tackle a shared challenge, define clear goals, develop a research roadmap, and advance the work needed to achieve meaningful progress through coordinated action.

Each SPARK project begins with a focused workshop and continues through a coordinated program of follow-on activities supported by MDA. MDA will provide up to $500,000 of support for each selected SPARK project to advance priority activities identified through the workshop and research roadmap. This support may include collaborative research, pilot studies, shared resources or methods, additional convenings, and other activities needed to achieve the project’s defined goals.

How MDA SPARK works

1. Identify the big question. Define an important research gap or unmet need that creates a barrier to progress, has relevance across multiple NMDs, and would benefit from collective problem-solving.

2. Convene the right group. Bring together 5 to 15 participants with complementary perspectives, including scientists, clinicians, patient advocacy organizations, and, where appropriate, early-career investigators and industry representatives.

3. Launch the SPARK program through a collaborative workshop. Use the focused scientific discussion to examine the challenge, build consensus, identify actionable priorities, and establish a practical path towards the project’s goal.

4. Develop a research roadmap. Translate the workshop discussion into a focused research roadmap that defines recommendations, collaborative project proposals, partnerships, pilot studies, shared methods or resources, milestones and other follow-on activities.

5. Move from roadmap to action. MDA will provide up to $500,000 per SPARK project to support priority activities identified through the roadmap and work with the SPARK group to advance these activities toward the project’s defined goals, including implementation and partnerships with patient organizations and, where appropriate, industry partners.

6. Track long-term impact. MDA will work with each SPARK group to monitor progress toward its goals and assess the impact of the project on research and patient communities over the three years following the workshop.

MDA support and follow-on funding

MDA SPARK is designed to provide support beyond the workshop itself, helping each selected group move from a shared challenge and research roadmap to meaningful action and progress towards defined goals.

For each selected SPARK project, MDA will provide organizational and financial support for the SPARK workshop, working with the conveners on meeting planning, coordination, and implementation. Following the workshop, MDA will provide up to $500,000 in follow-on funding per SPARK project to support priority activities identified through the group’s roadmap.

Funding may support activities such as:

1. Collaborative research and pilot studies

2. Development or validation of shared methods, tools, or resources

3. Additional scientific convenings or working groups

4. Development of collaborative research proposals

5. Other activities identified as necessary to achieve the project’s goals

Following the workshop, MDA will work with each SPARK group to establish priorities, milestones, and an implementation plan for follow-on activities. Wherever possible, MDA will also help connect groups with patient advocacy organizations and, where appropriate, industry and other partners to build the collaborations, resources, and expertise needed to advance the project and achieve its goals.

Apply to lead an MDA SPARK project

MDA is now accepting applications from investigators who would like to lead an MDA SPARK project focused on a cross-cutting scientific or translational challenge affecting multiple NMDs.

The first MDA SPARK workshops will take place September 14-16, 2027, in Tucson, Arizona.

Competitive applications will clearly define an important gap that extends beyond a single disease, explain why a focused multidisciplinary group is needed, and describe the tangible outcomes and follow-on activities that the workshop could enable.

MDA will work with selected applicants to refine the project scope, goals, participant group, workshop plan, and roadmap for follow-on activities.

Eligibility and key dates

• Eligibility: Lead applicants must be based at a U.S. institution; however, the proposed SPARK group may include international participants.
• Letter of intent: No letter of intent is required.
• Application deadline: January 15, 2027.
• Notification of application outcome: April 2027
• Workshop dates: September 14-16, 2027.
• Workshop location: Tucson, Arizona.
• MDA support: Up to $500,000 per selected SPARK project, including follow-on activities beyond the workshop.

Questions about the program or applicant eligibility may be directed to grants@mdausa.org.

Apply Today

The purpose of the Development Grants program is to expand the number of scientists conducting meritorious neuromuscular disease research funding postdoctoral investigators in the laboratory of a senior investigator under whose guidance the researcher will be given flexibility to work independently or as part of a collaborative effort. Applications will be accepted for no more than $90,000 per year for 3 years.

• Letter of Intent Due – February 1, 2027
• Application Due – April 1, 2027
• Proposed Start Date - September 1, 2027

Applicants must be from a US-based institution

Apply Today

MDA supports meetings and conferences focused on the muscular dystrophies and related diseases of the neuromuscular system. These are the muscular dystrophies (including Duchenne and Becker); motor neuron diseases (including ALS and SMA); the peripheral nerve disorders (CMT and Friedreich's ataxia); inflammatory myopathies; disorders of the neuromuscular junction; metabolic diseases of muscle as well as other myopathies. Conference grants are awarded to encourage scientific meetings for researchers and/or clinicians to exchange ideas and to establish collaborations. Meetings focused on therapy development will be considered a priority. Conference grants are awarded to applicants who are organizing meetings and not to individuals wishing to travel to conferences.

• Contact grants@mdausa.org for more information on how to apply.