Huntington’s Disease Career Advancement Grant
(HD-CAG)

Description of the Opportunity

The Huntington’s Disease Career Advancement Grant (HD-CAG) developed by the Hereditary Disease Foundation is an accelerator program for senior postdoctoral researchers.

The program is designed to support talented young investigators by providing resources and tools that build the necessary skills that will enable them to bridge the difficult transition from postdoctoral position to tenure-track primary investigator.

Our goal is to ensure that we continue to have an abundant pipeline of talented researchers focused on Huntington’s disease, from early stage-investigators through tenured positions.

Description of the Program

This is a 2-year program where awardees will be expected to participate in all of the following:

1. Quarterly 2-hour zoom meetings with each awardee presenting short career updates
2. Young investigator science-based workshop, annually
3. Scientific conference related to their research and/or Huntington’s disease, annually
4. HD-CAG Incubator Workshop, once during the award period
5. Patient-based event (i.e. HDSA Convention or HDYO World Congress), once during the award period

Scientific workshops:
Annually, all grantees will meet for a research-focused workshop with other young investigators in the HD space. These take the format of HDF’s signature topical workshops that have been held since the 1970s. In 2022 they were successfully launched specifically for young investigators.

Incubator workshop:
During this 2-year program, all awardees will meet once for a 2-day, in-person meeting focused on skill building.

The program will build skills in 3 focus areas that are often overlooked during postdoctoral training: 1) Research Management, 2) Job Launch, and 3) Auxiliary Support.

The Research Management focus will include a half-day workshop with a scientific speaking coach and a half-day workshop with a scientific writing consultant. Topics covered will include public speaking, writing (grants, publications, and for a lay audience), and laboratory management (budgeting, grant management, project management, general lab management, recruiting students and hiring staff, conflict resolution, communication, and effective leadership).

The Job Launch focus will include the chalk talk, CV and cover letter writing, navigating the recruitment timeline, preparing job application materials, and job talks.

The Auxiliary Support focus will cover stress and time management, ethics and diversity, and networking.

Reporting:
Participants should expect to report career milestones, awards, and promotions annually while participating in the program and for 10 years after for tracking metrics. This will include a short, bulleted report due annually.

Eligibility

Senior postdoctoral researchers, typically in years 4 and 5 of their training, actively pursuing an academic career are welcome to apply. Applicants should specifically be interested in a career focused on Huntington’s disease research, and either be currently working in the field or interested in applying a novel technique to the field.

Budget

The HDF will cover all expenses related to travel and accommodations associated with the HD-CAG and Young investigator workshops (3 in total).

Reimbursement up to $10,000 per awardee will be provided for registration, travel, and accommodations to a pre-approved scientific conference annually; registration, travel, and accommodations to a pre-approved patient-based event; and publication costs as needed. If funds remain at the end of the 2-year period or an offer for a tenure-track position is accepted, the remaining funds are forfeited.

Proposal Submissions

A Letter of Intent (LOI) is required that includes an NIH biosketch and a 2-page research statement, submitted through ProposalCentral.

Submission of full proposals is by invitation only following LOI review. Full proposals will consist of the Candidate Section of a K99/R00 award application, a letter of support from applicant’s mentor, and a description of postdoctoral support programs offered by the applicant’s institution.

The HDF’s HD-CAG is a new initiative.

Success Criteria for Program Acceptance

Commitment to an academic career path and strong interest in contributing to the HD research landscape with a clear, logical progression for career trajectory will be the primary factors considered for successful applicants in addition to metrics of applicant qualifications, relevant experience, and productivity track record.