BDGRI Research Grant Program (Batten Disease Global Research Initiative)

About this program

The Batten Disease Global Research Initiative (BDGRI)—a consortium led by BDSRA Foundation (USA), BDSRA Canada, BDSRA Australia and BDFA (UK)—is offering one‑year research grants (typically up to USD 50,000, with higher awards possible for exceptional proposals) to fund studies that accelerate therapeutic development, improve diagnosis and biomarkers, define standards of care, and address other top research priorities for Batten disease (NCLs). Awards may be renewed based on first‑year outcomes, and U.S.-based BDGRI applicants may be considered (without a separate application) for the BDCRC Pilot Project Award through a strategic partnership. Applicants worldwide must align proposals with the BDGRI’s published research priorities (e.g., gene‑targeted therapies, biomarkers, early diagnosis, non‑CNS impacts, clinical trial design and interventions) and follow the staged application process: Expressions of Interest open October 2026 and close December 2026, with invited full proposals due in May 2027 and awards starting September 2027.