New Investigators - Early Stage: Investigators that meet the following criteria by the application submission deadline date:

• Have not previously received a DMDRP Idea Development Award.
• Are within 10 years of first faculty appointment (or equivalent).

New Investigators - Transitioning: Established investigators in an area other than muscular dystrophy at or above the level of Assistant Professor seeking to transition to a career in DMD, thereby bringing their expertise to the field.

Investigators must pursue an active line of research in DMD and commit at least 10% of their efforts during each budget year toward the proposed DMD research project.

• Supports the development of innovative, high-impact ideas that advance the understanding of DMD and ultimately lead to improved outcomes.
• Must address opportunities and challenges in the development of safe and effective macromolecular and cellular therapies that address primary pathology of DMD. Therapies that will be efficacious across the lifespan, particularly in adolescents and adults are encouraged.
• Preliminary data required.
• Clinical trials or applications including a clinical trial aim are not allowed.

• Maximum funding of $350,000 in direct costs (plus indirect costs).
• Maximum period of performance is 2 years.

• The Partnering PI must be an independent, early-career investigator within 10 years of their first faculty appointment by the time of application submission. Lapses in research time or appointments as denoted in the biographical sketch should be explained in the application.
• It is encouraged, but not required, that the partnering PI is a clinician or clinical scientist (M.D. or M.D./Ph.D.) to increase collaboration between clinical and non-clinical aspects of DMD research.

• Supports advanced translational studies that have moved beyond the realm of basic research and have the potential to result in a near-term impact in clinical research or the clinic.
• Research projects investigating therapies that will be efficacious across the lifespan, particularly in adolescents and adults, are strongly encouraged.
• Preliminary data required.
• Clinical trials are allowed.
• NEW FOR FY24: Different funding levels, based on the scope of research, are available. It is the responsibility of the PI to select the funding level that is most appropriate for the research proposed. The funding level should be selected based on the scope of the research project, rather than the amount of the budget.

The following are general descriptions, although not all-inclusive, of the scope of research projects that would be appropriate to propose under each funding level:

• Research Level 1: Supports smaller, less complex preclinical and/or clinical research. Pilot clinical trials are allowed.
• Research Level 2: Research Level 2 is intended to support larger, more complex preclinical and/or clinical research. Pilot clinical trials are allowed.

Research Level 1

• Maximum funding of $650,000 in direct costs (plus indirect costs).
• Maximum period of performance is 3 years.

Research Level 2

• Maximum funding of $1,350,000 in direct costs (plus indirect costs).
• Maximum period of performance is 4 years.