Research We Fund
Your generous support enables us to fund millions of dollars in research every year, in locations across the globe. We fund projects across the research pipeline, from basic research through clinical trials, and our support has led to several potential treatments currently in clinical trials.
Research Inititatives
ALS UNITED WAS PROUD TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING RESEARCH INITIATIVES IN 2024
Accelerating Medicines Partnership® in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (AMP® ALS)
In 2024, ALS United Greater New York and our 14 other ALS United member organizations took another significant step in the battle against ALS by collectively supporting the AMP® ALS initiative. AMP® ALS brings together the resources and expertise of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Food and Drug Administration, Critical Path Institute, and other stakeholders from academia, life science companies, foundations, and patient-focused groups. This groundbreaking project aims to expedite the development of effective treatments for ALS, providing hope and progress for those affected by this relentless disease.
ALS Expanded Access
Investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored Expanded Access Programs (EAPs) provide a means to move promising investigational drugs from the lab into the clinic, advancing translational science while giving hope and opportunity to ALS patients in need of effective therapies. The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig ALS Center at Columbia is particularly well-positioned to play a leading role in this effort, drawing on strengths in the basic biology of ALS, and building on a foundation of clinical excellence to develop novel molecular and cellular therapeutics for ALS.
ALS Network Research Program
The ALS Network Research Program provides innovation grants to fund novel yet scientifically rigorous ideas that can transform our understanding of ALS. Our seed funding to establish proof of concept for new scientific approaches potentially positions these visionary projects for larger-scale funding in the future, such as government grants
The Northeast ALS Consortium (NEALS)
NEALS was founded as an independent, non-profit group of research sites that collaboratively conduct clinical research in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and motor neuron disease (MND). NEALS has since developed into an international consortium of ALS clinical research centers.
PREVENT ALS
PREVENT ALS brings together two existing programs studying people who may potentially carry ALS-causative gene mutations: the DIALS study led by Drs. Mark Garret and James D. Berry (Massachusetts General Hospital) and Dr. Timothy Miller (Washington University in St. Louis) and the ALS Families study led by Drs. Neil Shneider and Matt Harms (Columbia University). Together, these dedicated researchers are working to gather the critical number of individuals with ALS or at risk of ALS that will allow us to overcome variability between people, get us to our goal as fast as possible, and build a committed team of people working together to fight ALS.
Safenowitz Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
The Milton Safenowitz Postdoctoral Fellowship for ALS Research awards are designed to encourage and facilitate young scientists to enter the field of ALS Research. The program was founded by the Safenowitz family, through Greater New York, and awards are given in memory of Mr. Safenowitz. Fellows work with a senior mentor and receive extensive exposure to the ALS research community. More than 90% of the fellows remain in ALS research and contribute significantly to advances made in the field.
Target ALS
The Springboard Fellowship is focused on supporting senior lab fellows to transition to an independent academic tenure track or equivalent position, and interested in ALS research.