Research grants & funding

The foundation is funding opportunities that support research and fuel breakthroughs in DM. See opportunities below or learn more about our programs.

Funding research for a cure

The Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation (MDF) supports research to improve quality of life and advance treatments for myotonic dystrophy, offering multiple funding opportunities and resources to strengthen scientific progress in the field.

Research Program

Research Fellows

Since 2009, the MDF has been committed to supporting predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows in DM research. Many remain in the field, citing community engagement, scientific interest, and skills gained. MDF is proud to advance DM research and strengthen the pipeline through our Fund-a-Fellow Program.

What does the program focus on?

The Research Fellows Program supports emerging DM investigators to build a strong, long-term research community. Its objectives are to develop new scholars, expand DM discovery, and increase the scope and quality of DM research publications.

How are fellows selected?

Applicants submit a full proposal during the annual application process outlining scientific aims, methodology, feasibility, and alignment with DM research priorities. Applications undergo review by DM experts based on significance to DM, investigator potential, and scientific quality. Competitive proposals demonstrate strong rationale, clear milestones, and meaningful contribution to DM research.

Research Program

Early Career Scholars

Since 2023, the MDF has supported promising investigators committed to advancing myotonic dystrophy research through the Early Career Scholar Program. By funding basic, translational, clinical, and care-focused projects, the program aims to strengthen the research pipeline and retain early-career scientists dedicated to improving understanding and outcomes in DM.

What does the program focus on?

MDF offers two years of funding to Early Career Scholars to advance impactful DM research. These awards help early-stage investigators build independent research trajectories, generate high-quality data, and deepen their long-term engagement in the myotonic dystrophy field.

How are early career scholars selected?

Applicants submit a full proposal during the annual application process outlining scientific aims, methodology, feasibility, and alignment with DM research priorities. Applications undergo review by DM experts based on significance to DM, investigator commitment to DM, and scientific quality. Competitive proposals demonstrate strong rationale, clear milestones, and meaningful contribution to DM research.

Research Program

Pilot Grants

The Pilot Grants Program addresses the limited funding available for early-stage, high-impact research in myotonic dystrophy. Launched in 2024, the program provides one-year awards through a semiannual application cycle to help investigators generate preliminary data and advance innovative DM research directions.

What does the program focus on?

The program supports original basic, translational, and clinical DM studies, emphasizing high-risk, high-reward scientific exploration. It promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and encourages new investigators to enter the field, broadening the research ecosystem and accelerating insights that can inform future therapeutic and care strategies.

How are pilot grant awards selected?

Applicants submit a proposal describing research objectives, design, feasibility, and anticipated impact. Submissions are reviewed semiannually and evaluated for innovation, scientific rigor, and alignment with program goals. Competitive applications present bold hypotheses, strong methodology, and clear potential to generate actionable preliminary data.

Other funding mechanisms

In addition to its core funding mechanisms, MDF may issue targeted RFAs for strategic research initiatives and offer small grants to support travel, open-access publication, and other activities that advance scientific collaboration and dissemination in the DM field. See opportunities below for more information: