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Driving Research. Advancing Hope.

Research is more than a priority—it’s the heart of our mission. Through our grant programs, we fund groundbreaking science that aims to improve the lives of individuals living with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) and mucolipidosis (ML). Each research grant we award represents an investment in hope—for better treatments, enhanced care, and, ultimately, cures.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the passion of our community, the National MPS Society has awarded more than $10 million in research funding.

These funds have helped:

Accelerate
clinical trials

Support early-stage investigators and students

Foster global scientific collaboration

Drive innovation across disciplines

Research Grant Guidelines & Details

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The Board of Directors has authorized up to $620,000 in new research funding for 2025. Parties interested in applying to this program are strongly encouraged to contact scott@mpssociety.org.

Choose the Right Funding Path for Your Research

The National MPS Society supports multiple research grant tiers tailored to the complexity and impact of the project. Explore the funding mechanisms below to find the opportunity that best fits your research goals.

  • This is a challenge-based grant tied to a specific fundraising campaign.
  • Funding range: $250,000–$500,000 over 1–2 years.
  • Funding is contingent on fundraising success within 12 months of approval.
  • Priority given to syndromes with no therapy or suboptimal treatments.
  • Not eligible for competitive renewal.
  • Supports complex, multidisciplinary projects or unmet needs in MPS/ML.
  • Funding: Up to $100,000 over 1–2 years.
  • One competitive renewal allowed (max combined: $200,000 / 4 years).
  • Restrictions apply.
  • Supports defined research such as:
  • - Drug repurposing
  • - Analysis of existing data
  • - Expanding validated therapy to a new syndrome
  • Funding: Up to $50,000 over 1–2 years.
  • One competitive renewal allowed (max: $100,000 / 4 years).
  • Restrictions apply.
  • Funds targeted, smaller-scale projects, such as:
  • - Studies using existing data or biospecimens
  • - Clinical consensus initiatives (e.g., Delphi studies)
  • Funding: Up to $25,000 for 1 year.
  • Not renewable.
  • Supports early-career scientists under mentorship.
  • Typically addresses Tier II-level questions, sometimes Tier I.
  • Funding: $50,000 for 1 year.
  • One renewal possible.
  • Requires mentor’s statement.

Cycle I

Announcement of Cycle Research Initiatives:

February 21st

Letter of Intent Due:

March 15th

Invitation to Submit Full Proposals:

April 1st

Invited Proposals are Due:

May 15th

Grant Award Notification:

June 28th

Start Date of Research

August 1st

Cycle II

Announcement of Cycle Research Initiatives:

June 21st

Letter of Intent Due:

July 15th

Invitation to Submit Full Proposals:

August 1st

Invited Proposals are Due:

September 15th

Grant Award Notification:

October 28th

Start Date of Research

December 1st

Cycle III

Announcement of Cycle Research Initiatives:

October 21st

Letter of Intent Due:

November 15th

Invitation to Submit Full Proposals:

December 1st

Invited Proposals are Due:

January 15th

Grant Award Notification:

February 28th

Start Date of Research

April 1st

To give researchers and reviewers both the certainty of a set calendar of grant submission dates and to allow multiple submission cycles per year, the Society has three grant proposal submission cycles per year. As the individual cycle proceeds, the details of a subsequent individual call for may be altered, or a call may be cancelled, pending the results of the previous cycle. The dates and additional details are below.

Timeline for Grant Cycle submission dates etc. Submissions are due by 11:59:59 PM EST/EDT (USA) of the due date. If a due date falls on a USA federal holiday or a Saturday or Sunday, the due date will shift to the next business day.

The Society Research Portal should be open three weeks before a LOI due date.

Eligible Institutions

Any domestic U.S. or foreign, public or private, non-profit or for-profit research organization is eligible to apply for and receive a Society Research Grant.​

Eligible Investigators

  • Any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as a Principal Investigator (PI) is invited to apply.
  • A PI must be institutionally eligible to apply for, be awarded, and administer an extramural research grant.
  • Eligible applicants include PhD candidates (who have completed preliminary exams), medical professional students (to support a one-year hiatus from professional training to pursue research), and post-doctoral fellows (within 3 years of receiving their PhD or clinical degree).
  • Medical professional training programs and clinical degrees include DDS, DO, DVM, MD, VMD, and equivalents.
  • Fellow applicants must have a principal mentor who satisfies the institutional requirements of a PI as defined above under the Research Tier I and II Grants heading.​

Note: Investigators do not need to be U.S. citizens or residents; international researchers are eligible to apply.

Funding Rules and Eligibility Requirements

  • Indirect Costs: Not permitted, except for specific non-profit institutions lacking tenure and endowment, subject to negotiation and documentation.
  • Tuition: Not allowed.
  • Principal Investigator (PI) Salary: Not allowed for PIs or faculty eligible to serve as PI, except under defined exceptions.
  • Equipment: Purchases over $5,000 are not permitted, except in Tier I proposals with prior approval (limit of one item between $5,000 and $10,000 directly related to the project).
  • Conference Travel: Limited to 2% of the total grant; must be for reporting Society-funded research. Travel integral to research is not limited.
  • Fellow-Initiated Grants: Must allocate 75% of the award to fellow salary support unless the fellow is supported by another training grant covering at least 75% of their salary and allowing uncommitted time for the proposed research.
  • One Application per Lab per Cycle: Only one research grant application per independent laboratory group within an institution may be submitted per cycle. Non-compliance may result in permanent disqualification.
  • Annual Family Conference: PIs or designated lab members are required to attend and present at the National MPS Society's Annual Family Conference once during the award period or within one year after. If in-person attendance is not feasible, a video presentation may be required. Fellow grantees must fulfill this obligation within the year of their award, unless the Notice of Grant Award is within one month of a scheduled conference, in which case attendance at the following year's conference is acceptable.​

Clinical Trials Database

Staying informed about ongoing clinical trials is an important step for individuals and families affected by MPS and related diseases. Clinical trials play a vital role in advancing research, discovering new treatments, and improving quality of life. Use the database below to search for up-to-date information on trials that may be relevant to your condition or interests.

Visit the Database

Together, we are not only funding science—we are building a future of hope for individuals and families living with MPS and ML.

Questions may be addressed to either grants@mpssociety.org or directly to the Society CSO, Dr. Scott Loiler (scott@mpssociety.org).