In the 2026 grant cycle, TMA announces an IBM/IMNM Fellowship to support a clinical and/or research trainee in neuromuscular medicine or related fields.
TMA’s IBM/IMNM Fellowship is an award of $107,500 that will be granted to a fellow in adult neurology, neuromuscular pathology, neurophysiology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, or related specialty pursuing a disease-specific, targeted project that meets the following guidelines:
- Advances the understanding of the cause, prevention, detection, treatment, or cure of inclusion body myositis (IBM) and/or immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM).
- Treatment may extend beyond clinical management of autoimmune neuromuscular disorders into health-related quality of life, such as assessments and interventions that help patients preserve muscle function, manage fatigue and pain, and navigate any psychosocial effects of their condition
- Priority is given to fellows in adult neurology, neuromuscular medicine, neuromuscular pathology, neurophysiology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, or related specialties, with demonstrable commitment to IBM and/or IMNM as a primary focus within their clinical, research, and career priorities.
- Priority is given to interdisciplinary projects that emphasize a collaborative approach, including partnering with patients and care partners.
TMA fellowships are designed to support early-career physicians, scientists, and investigators who have a career interest in research and/or a clinical practice focused on rare autoimmune disease, hold a terminal degree (MD, MD/PhD, PhD, or equivalent), and are enrolled in a formal fellowship program with a myositis experienced mentor. 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. Mentors will be required to provide a letter of support affirming their involvement and approval.
Applications will be evaluated primarily based upon relevance to myositis, alignment to this RFP, scientific quality, and feasibility. Additional criteria are innovation, collaboration, and patient centricity.
Grant Application Process
The application process proceeds in two steps, which are summarized below. TMA’s Research Guidelines provide more specific directions and detailed requirements. Following is a summary of key dates and requirements:
- A one-page letter of intent (LOI) is required by May 20, 2026. This includes a cover letter with administrative information, a three-paragraph description of the proposed project, a letter of support from the applicant’s mentor, and a biosketch of the applicant in NIH format.
- The LOI must be submitted through our electronic submissions platform.
- The LOI will be screened by TMA representatives shortly after receipt, and a select number of applicants will be invited to submit a full application.
- Full applications must be submitted through our electronic submissions platform by June 29, 2026.
Timeline for the 2026 Research Grant Program
- Letter of intent due May 20, 2026
- Invitation for full application by June 3, 2026
- Full application due June 29, 2026
- Notification of awards October 2026
- Funding to begin after November 2026
Funding Details
The $107,500 will be disbursed within an 18-to-24 month funding period that is mutually agreed to by the fellow and TMA. The funding period will begin no earlier than November 2026 and no later than June 2027.
Fellowship funds are intended to includetravel support for attendance at three (3) events. The fellow is required to attend and speak at MyoCon: TMA’s Global Myositis Patient Conference. In addition, the fellow will attend the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Convergence and one additional scientific or medical conference of the fellow’s choice in which they are reporting on this work.
About The Myositis Association
The Myositis Association is the leading international nonprofit organization committed to the global community of people living with myositis, their care partners, family members, and the medical community. TMA provides patient education and support, advocacy, clinician education, and has awarded nearly $8.5 million to help advance the field of myositis research. Learn more at https://www.myositis.org/.
Research Grant Program FAQs | For more information, contact us at linda@myositis.org.
Thank You
TMA thanks the donors whose generosity made possible this research funding cycle. Funds for this project were partially provided by a grant from the Rita B. Lamere Memorial Foundation. Make a gift to advance myositis research.