MGFA Research Grants and Funding Areas
With our grant program, the MGFA supports research that will improve the lives of those diagnosed with myasthenia gravis and related neuromuscular junction disorders.
Funding areas include:
- High-Impact Pilot Projects: Pilot studies leading to new federal, pharmaceutical or private foundation supported investigations
- Transformative Research: Focused, innovative investigations that are highly likely to produce fundamental alterations in understanding myasthenia gravis
- Targeted Research and Special Projects: Further greater understanding of MG and its impact on quality of life
- Awards to Engage and Support Young Investigators and Clinicians: Recognize the importance of good clinical research and encourage young investigators’ involvement in clinical studies
Available MGFA Grant Opportunities
Additional MGFA Grant Opportunities
- MGFA Registry & Real-World Data Research Funding Opportunity
- High Impact Pilot Project Award
- Clinician Scientist Development Award in Myasthenia Gravis
- Nancy Law Impact Award
- Jackie McSpadden Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award
External Grant Opportunities
Learn more about the research we have funded Learn more about the MGFA’s research agendaCONTACT
Jenny McCue, Vice President, Global Research and Clinical Development
Funding Opportunities through the MGFA
Seronegative MG Pilot Grant: Diagnostic and Mechanistic Research for Seronegative Myasthenia Gravis
MGFA requests submission of proposals focused specifically on seronegative myasthenia gravis (MG).
Improving how seronegative MG is diagnosed and differentiated is not only a biomarker-discovery problem but a direct patient safety issue.
MGFA invites applications addressing seronegative MG through research focused on the discovery of new pathogenic mechanisms and/or the development of more accurate diagnostic approaches, including reliable differentiation from mimicking conditions and improved understanding of how seronegative disease should be clinically managed.
The proposal should be within the scope of the MGFA’s research agenda.
MGFA intends to fund two (2) meritorious awards of up to $125,000 each, of which no more than $12,500 may be allocated to indirect costs. Funds will be expended over two years from the time of the award.
Full scope – and additional details about this opportunity – are available in the grant overview linked below.
Download Grant InformationHOW TO APPLY
Applicants should submit a letter of intent (LOI) no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT on October 12, 2026, using the form provided in MGFA’s grant portal, ProposalCentral. This form will be found by searching for Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America under “Grant Opportunities.” (Note: You must create an account and log in to access and submit all forms.) FAQs about using ProposalCentral can be found below.
Investigators will be notified by October 14, 2026, if you are invited to submit a full proposal. More details about the full application requirements can be found in the grant overview.
Access ProposalCentralELIGIBILITY
This funding opportunity is open to established and new investigators. Applications will be accepted from U.S. and international principal investigators with confirmed faculty status. If you are unsure about your status and confirmation necessary, please reach out to Jenny McCue for clarity and guidance. Applications are not open to for-profit or small business submissions.
KEY DATES
| Activity | Date |
| Call for Proposals Opens | September 21, 2026 |
| Letter of Intent Deadline | October 12, 2026 |
| Notification of Invitation to Proceed with Application | October 14, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | November 18, 2026 |
| Funding notification | December 2026 |
| Funding provided | January 2027 |
| Progress Report / Final Study Report | To be determined; details stipulated in Notice of Award letter (typically at 1-year and at the end of the grant award period) |
Pediatric MG Research Grant: Understanding and Treating Myasthenia Gravis in Pediatric and Adolescent Populations
MGFA requests submission of proposals focused on advancing the understanding and treatment of myasthenia gravis (MG) in pediatric and adolescent populations. Most pivotal trials for MG therapies enrolled few or no children, leaving pediatric use largely extrapolated from adult data, and no functional outcome measure such as the MG-ADL or QMG has been formally validated in pediatric populations.
MGFA is committed to supporting pediatric treatment strategies, safety, and long-term outcomes. This grant funds research across the full range of unmet pediatric MG needs; diagnosis and disease characterization, treatment safety and pharmacology, outcome measures and trial readiness, natural history, and psychosocial impact.
The proposal should be within the scope of the MGFA’s research agenda.
MGFA intends to fund two (2) meritorious awards of up to $125,000 each, of which no more than $12,500 may be allocated to indirect costs. Funds will be expended over two years from the time of the award.
Full scope – and additional details about this opportunity – are available in the grant overview linked below.
Download Grant InformationHOW TO APPLY
Applicants should submit a letter of intent (LOI) no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT on October 12, 2026, using the form provided in MGFA’s grant portal, ProposalCentral. This form will be found by searching for Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America under “Grant Opportunities.” (Note: You must create an account and log in to access and submit all forms.) FAQs about using ProposalCentral can be found below.
Investigators will be notified by October 14, 2026, if you are invited to submit a full proposal. More details about the full application requirements can be found in the grant overview.
Access ProposalCentralELIGIBILITY
This funding opportunity is open to established and new investigators. Applications will be accepted from U.S. and international principal investigators with confirmed faculty status. If you are unsure about your status and confirmation necessary, please reach out to Jenny McCue for clarity and guidance. Applications are not open to for-profit or small business submissions.
KEY DATES
| Activity | Date |
| Call for Proposals Opens | September 21, 2026 |
| Letter of Intent Deadline | October 12, 2026 |
| Notification of Invitation to Proceed with Application | October 14, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | November 18, 2026 |
| Funding notification | December 2026 |
| Funding provided | January 2027 |
| Progress Report / Final Study Report | To be determined; details stipulated in Notice of Award letter (typically at 1-year and at the end of the grant award period) |
Biomarker Research Grant: Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarker Development for Myasthenia Gravis and Related Neuromuscular Junction Disorders
MGFA requests submission of proposals focused on the identification and validation of clinically useful diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for myasthenia gravis (MG) and related neuromuscular junction disorders. Objective biomarkers that inform diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment selection are urgently needed.
Biomarkers are needed as objective tools to improve diagnosis and care in MG and related neuromuscular junction disorders by identifying types of pathophysiology to inform clinical care and prognosis, and by predicting which patients are most likely to respond to a given therapeutic class.
The MGFA invites applications addressing these gaps through research focused on the identification, development, and validation of scalable, accessible diagnostic and prognostic tools.
MGFA intends to fund two (2) meritorious awards of up to $125,000 each, of which no more than $12,500 may be allocated to indirect costs. Funds will be expended over two years from the time of the award.
Full scope – and additional details about this opportunity – are available in the grant overview linked below.
Download Grant Information
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants should submit a letter of intent (LOI) no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT on October 12, 2026, using the form provided in MGFA’s grant portal, ProposalCentral. This form will be found by searching for Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America under “Grant Opportunities.” (Note: You must create an account and log in to access and submit all forms.) FAQs about using ProposalCentral can be found below.
Investigators will be notified by October 14, 2026, if you are invited to submit a full proposal. More details about the full application requirements can be found in the grant overview.
Access ProposalCentralELIGIBILITY
This funding opportunity is open to established and new investigators. Applications will be accepted from U.S. and international principal investigators with confirmed faculty status. If you are unsure about your status and confirmation necessary, please reach out to Jenny McCue for clarity and guidance. Applications are not open to for-profit or small business submissions.
KEY DATES
| Activity | Date |
| Call for Proposals Opens | September 21, 2026 |
| Letter of Intent Deadline | October 12, 2026 |
| Notification of Invitation to Proceed with Application | October 14, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | November 18, 2026 |
| Funding notification | December 2026 |
| Funding provided | January 2027 |
| Progress Report / Final Study Report | To be determined; details stipulated in Notice of Award letter (typically at 1-year and at the end of the grant award period) |
2026 MGFA Registry & Real-World Data Research Funding Opportunity
Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) is pleased to announce the MGFA Registry & Real-World Data Research Funding Opportunity, a competitive award program designed to accelerate high-impact research, abstract development, and peer-reviewed publications that improve the lives of individuals living with myasthenia gravis (MG) and related neuromuscular junction disorders.
Through this initiative, MGFA will support investigators seeking to leverage unique patient-reported, longitudinal, and real-world clinical datasets to generate meaningful scientific insights that advance the field. Applicants may propose projects using one or both of two available datasets, subject to feasibility and data governance approval.
MGFA intends to fund four (4) meritorious awards of up to $10,000 each to support approved data extraction, analytics, statistical programming, and related research activities. This opportunity is intended to expand access to valuable MG datasets while fostering the next generation of clinical investigators and scientific leaders.
Applicants may propose projects using one or more of the following datasets: My RealWorld MG or Vitaccess Real MG Registry. Each dataset has distinct characteristics, geographic scope, and data elements. Investigators are encouraged to review the dataset summary carefully and select the source(s) best aligned with their proposed research question. Multi-dataset proposals are welcome.
Find more information in the grant overview linked below.
Download Grant Information
HOW TO APPLY
Applications are no longer being accepted for this grant.
ELIGIBILITY
Applications are encouraged from across the academic spectrum, including:
- International academic researchers
- Academic faculty investigators (junior and established)
- Fellows and residents
- Early-stage investigators
Applications are not open to for-profit commercial entities or small businesses as lead applicants.
Collaborative multidisciplinary teams are strongly encouraged.
IMPORTANT DATES
| Activity | Date |
| Application Window Opens | June 12, 2026 |
| Submission Deadline | July 31, 2026 |
| Scientific Review Period | August 10 – September 4, 2026 |
| Award Notifications | September 16, 2026 |
| Project State Date | October 1, 2026 |
2026 High Impact Pilot Project Award
This award supports research that will demonstrate proof-of-concept to support the feasibility of a paradigm shift, test a new research hypothesis, or otherwise advance the development of safe and effective treatments for myasthenia gravis. Proposals must include clear plans of investigation, well-defined deliverables, and metrics for determining the quality of those deliverables.
MGFA is committed to supporting research that will ultimately improve the lives of patients with myasthenia gravis and related neuromuscular junction disorders. The research committee has identified five broad research priorities of unmet need in the field that, when addressed, could substantially impact the understanding of the etiology or pathogenesis of disease, or advance the development of safe and effective treatments to end MG.
Though this research agenda intends to guide researchers towards topics that are viewed as critical to the advancement of MG research and treatment, MGFA will accept proposals outside of these priority areas if the applicant demonstrates that work stemming from his or her proposal has the potential to impact the understanding or treatment of MG.
MGFA will fund highly meritorious projects with a maximum of $110,000, over two years, of which no more than $10,000 may be allocated to indirect costs. Funds will be expended over two years from the time of the award. Special funding requests and/or changes to the award period must be approved prior to submission of proposal through the Letter of Intent.
HOW TO APPLY
The LOI process for 2026 is now closed. Applicants selected for further review have been notified.
Award criteria and full application information can be found via the PDF below. MGFA uses Proposal Central for all grant application submissions.
ELIGIBILITY
The RFA is open to established and new investigators. Applications will be accepted from U.S. and international principal investigators with faculty status. Applications are not open to for-profit or small business submissions.
IMPORTANT DATES
| Activity | Date |
| Call for Proposals Opens | March 6, 2026 |
| Letter of Intent Deadline | April 3, 2026 |
| Notification of Invitation to Proceed with Application | April 20, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | June 5, 2026 |
| Funding notification | August 2026 |
| Funding provided | September 2026 |
| Progress Report / Final Study Report | To be determined; details stipulated in Notice of Award letter (typically at 1-year and at the end of the grant award period) |
Clinician Scientist Development Award in Myasthenia Gravis
The Clinician Scientist Development Award in Myasthenia Gravis, funded by the MGFA and the American Brain Foundation in collaboration with the American Academy of Neurology, aims to recognize the importance of rigorous clinical and translational research and to encourage young investigators in clinical and translational studies related to myasthenia gravis.
This award consists of a commitment of $75,000 per year for three years, plus a $5,000 per-year stipend to support education and research-related costs, for a total of $240,000. Supplementation of the award with other grants is permissible, but to be eligible to apply for this award, the other grant source(s) cannot exceed $80,000 annually.
The American Academy of Neurology and the MGFA are not administering this grant for the 2027 grant cycle. Visit the AAN’s website for more information about this award.
Nancy Law Impact Award
This award was created in honor of Nancy Law, the former CEO and board chair of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America. Her dedication to supporting people with MG inspired this research funding award opportunity.
The Nancy Law Impact Award supports high-impact clinical research or scientific investigations that are focused and innovative. High-impact clinical research proposals should focus on patient outcome measurements or alteration in clinical or research practices which improve present treatment paradigms. Scientific projects require a clear plan that will lead to new competitive federal or private foundation supported investigations.
In the 2024 grant cycle, MGFA funded this award at $300,000 over three years.
Jackie McSpadden Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award
The MGFA Jackie McSpadden Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award was established in 2022 to support a postdoctoral investigator conducting translational research related to myasthenia gravis. The fellowship grant is offered to promising recipients of MD, PhD or MD/PhD degrees when it appears that the program of training to be supported by the grant will enhance the likelihood that the trainee will perform meaningful and independent research relevant to MG in the future and obtain a suitable position that will enable them to do so. This award is named for Jackie McSpadden as a posthumous memorial to her fighting spirit in the face of her myasthenia gravis diagnosis.
Read about the inaugural McSpadden Fellow on the MGFA blog.
Contacts for Questions
For inquiries related to research funded by the MGFA, High Impact Pilot Project funding, or other questions relevant to MGFA’s role in funding MG research, please contact Jenny McCue, Vice President, Global Research and Clinical Development.
For technical inquiries such as system access or site navigation related to ProposalCentral, please email pcsupport@altum.com or call 1-800-875-2562 (toll-free US and Canada) or +1-703-964.5840 (Direct Dial International).
More information about how to register and apply using ProposalCentral:
User FAQs.pdf (proposalcentral.com).
How to Register as a ProposalCentral user
How to Create an Application using ProposalCentral
External Research Grants
Myasthenia Gravis Rare Disease Network
The Myasthenia Gravis Rare Disease Network, MGNet, part of the National Institutes of Health’s Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network, has funding opportunities available for MG researchers.
Scholar Program: $75,000
The MGNet Scholar Program provides mentored research training to prepare scholars for an independent research career in the field of MG. Selected scholars receive up to $75,000 to support salary, research costs and didactics. Ten percent indirect costs are provided. After year one, scholars are encouraged to transition to NIH, departmental or private foundation support, or to compete for a second year of funding after submission of a second application that includes a description of accomplishments and pilot data.
Applications for the current funding cycle are closed. Funding commenced September 15, 2026.
More InfoPilot Grant Program for Myasthenia Gravis: $75,000
MGNet, a NIH-funded Rare Diseases Clinical Research Consortium (RDCRC) in partnership with the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America and Conquer MG, is seeking proposals for highly innovative investigations in early stages of development. The priorities of the Pilot Grant Program are:
- Identification treatment responsive biomarkers (please see Focus On Biomarkers Research)
- Assess clinical measures and improve that enhance clinical trial readiness
- Evaluation of therapeutic interventions for one or more of the five distinct sub-types of MG (additional information in the full proposal will be required for clinical trials).
Pilot studies must be designed to access the resources of MGNet and focused on clinical and translational research, including fulfilling the definition of clinical and translational research and exclusion of animal studies.
The MGNet expects to fund up to two grants, each at a level of $75,000 (IDCs will be limited to 10% and included in the $75,000). Projects will be funded for 12 months, with a start date of September 2026.
Applications for the current funding cycle are closed.
More Info