How can I apply for TMA research funding? 

Letters of intent and, if invited, full proposals can be submitted through our electronic submission platform.  

If I have been funded by TMA in the past, may I apply for new funding again? 

Absolutely! Please send us your letter of intent! 

How can I tell if I qualify for TMA’s Research Grants Program?

TMA remains committed to providing financial support to qualified trainees, investigators, and clinicians for basic, translational, and clinical research across the spectrum of myositis diseases and specialties with the goal of advancing our understanding of the underlying causes and pathophysiology, means of prevention, early detection, accurate diagnosis, effective treatments, and methods for curing myositis and related diseases and complications.

TMA fellowships are designed to support early-career physicians, scientists, and investigators who have a career interest in research and/or clinical practice focused on rare autoimmune disease, and who hold a terminal degree (MD, MD/PhD, PhD, or other). Eligibility extends to residents planning to enroll in a formal fellowship program with a myositis experienced mentor, or fellows interested in an advanced fellowship with a myositis experienced mentor. Applicants for fellowship grants must have completed residency or PhD training no more than five years prior to beginning the fellowship. Applicants must be based at an accredited medical school, university, or research institute. If awarded, the grant funds will be administered through an institution only.

TMA research grants are designed to support applicants based at an accredited medical school, university, or research institute. If awarded, the grant funds will be administered through an institution only. The principal investigator must be professionally trained with a terminal degree—MD, MD/PhD, PhD, or equivalent—and striving to improve understanding of and quality of life for those who live with myositis, related diseases, and complications. Applicants must demonstrate a career interest in research and clinical practice focused on rare autoimmune diseases, especially myositis.

What information should the research plan include?

In 10 pages or less, the Research Plan should include the following:

1.  Specific aims
2.  Background and significance
3.  Preliminary data
4.  Research strategy
5.  Literature cited

Do I need to submit a budget for a fellowship grant?

No. TMA expects fellowship grants to be used primarily to support the employment of the selected fellow, as well as his or her experiential education, training, research, and travel. Appropriate uses of TMA fellowship funds include the following expense categories:

  • Fellow salary (“wages”).
  • Fellow benefits (“fringe” personnel costs such as health insurance, retirement contributions, and other non-wage compensation paid by the employing institution). TMA generally covers up to 30-40% of fringe expenses in our grants.
  • Expenses related to fellow employment other than wages and compensation (“indirect” expenses such as fellowship administration, fellowship program fees, and other). TMA generally covers up to 10-15% of indirect expenses within the grant allotment.
  • Expenses related to the dissemination of research findings from the fellow’s work (scientific or medical congress abstract/poster costs, publication fees, or similar).
  • Fellow travel (for up to three trips as described in the RFP).

Awardees may be required to submit a summary budget outlining how TMA funds were applied at their institution.

How much of a research grant budget is allowable for indirect and administrative expenses?

TMA grants generally cover up to 10-15% of indirect expenses. This amount should be included in the total budget of the grant.

What information is needed related to conflicts of interest?

Please include the name and institutional affiliation of any individual who is associated with the project and may have a conflict of interest in reviewing the application, including co-investigators, collaborators, mentors, or consultants. Please identify the conflict.

Why are applications restricted to these specific forms of myositis?

TMA’s Research Grants Program is dependent on donations from the community. Each year, TMA’s Board of Directors outlines the organization’s research priorities and, together with donors, identifies the research areas we will support in that year’s grant cycle. This year, we are fortunate to have several generous donors who are supporting these disease-specific initiatives. We understand, however, that myositis specialists often cross boundaries in their own clinical practice and research. We will happily consider related specialties, as long as the investigator has a demonstrable commitment to idiopathic inflammatory myopathies as a primary focus within their clinical, research, and career priorities.

How can I support myositis research at TMA? 

TMA is happy to receive donations in support of our research grant program. Those who wish to sponsor or supplement the research grant funds, including through the creation of disease-specific grant opportunities, can email us to set up a time to discuss.  

How can I stay informed about TMS’s Research Grants Program? 

Please sign up for our email list as a healthcare professional to be sure to see news about TMA events and activities, including Research Grants Program announcements.

What if I have a different question or need additional information? 

For questions about TMA’s Research Grants Program, please contact Linda Kobert, TMA’s Research and Communications Specialist at linda@myositis.org.