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The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$41.9M
Grant Range
$75K - $7.0M
Decision Time
2mo

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The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $42 million (2023 total expenses)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Approximately 2 months post-deadline
  • Grant Range: $75,000 - $7,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: International (US and worldwide)

Contact Details

Address: 383 Main Avenue, 7th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851

Phone: (203) 229-0464

Website: www.themmrf.org

Email: pressrequests@themmrf.org (media enquiries)

Overview

Founded in 1998 by twin sisters Kathy Giusti and Karen Andrews following Kathy's multiple myeloma diagnosis, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) is the largest non-profit in the world solely focused on accelerating a cure for multiple myeloma patients. Since its inception, the MMRF has committed over $600 million for research, opened nearly 100 clinical trials, and helped bring 15+ FDA-approved therapies to market, which have tripled the life expectancy of myeloma patients. The organisation operates with 84.87% of its budget directed towards research and patient education, earning a Four-Star rating with a 100% score from Charity Navigator. With total assets of approximately $80 million, the MMRF has recently focused on health equity initiatives and personalised treatment approaches. The foundation's strategic approach emphasises data-driven discovery, innovative immune therapies, targeted drugs, and optimised trial design.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

MMRF Myeloma Accelerator Challenge (MAC) Programme Grants: $7,000,000 per grant Three-year multicentre translational research projects that foster collaboration and advance compelling hypotheses ready for rapid testing in clinical trials. These grants focus on two critical areas: optimising first-line therapy for high-risk newly diagnosed multiple myeloma and improving identification of high-risk smouldering multiple myeloma (HR SMM). Application method: Invitation or strategic solicitation.

MMRF Scholars Programme: Up to $400,000 over four years ($100,000/year) plus 10% indirect costs (total award $440,000) Annual programme supporting early-career Black and African American scientists and clinicians (MD and/or PhD) with focus on multiple myeloma research. Application deadline: September 30 annually. Application method: Online via ProposalCentral.

MMRF Research Fellow Award Programme: Up to $150,000 over two years ($75,000/year) plus 10% overhead Supports post-doctorate, medical fellow, or junior faculty level researchers interested in multiple myeloma research. Application deadlines vary annually (typically June). Application method: Online via ProposalCentral.

Clinical Translational Research Programme (Myeloma Omics Initiative): Funding amount varies Provides successful applicants with access to state-of-the-art omics platforms and analytics resources to analyse bone marrow and peripheral blood samples from patients enrolled in high-value clinical studies. Application method: Ongoing through coordinated research initiatives.

Priority Areas

  • Optimising first-line therapy for high-risk newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
  • Improving identification and treatment of high-risk smouldering multiple myeloma (HR SMM)
  • Personalised treatment approaches based on genomic and immune profiling
  • Advancing understanding of myeloma disease biology, treatment, and drug resistance
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion in multiple myeloma research
  • Novel immune therapies and targeted drug development
  • Clinical trial design innovation
  • Translational and basic science research relevant to multiple myeloma
  • Career development for early-career investigators in myeloma research

What They Don't Fund

  • Research unrelated to multiple myeloma
  • General operating support for organisations
  • Patient treatment costs or individual patient support
  • Retrospective studies without clear translational potential
  • Projects from applicants holding positions higher than Assistant Professor (for early-career programmes)

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team:

  • Michael Mortimer, Chairman of the Board of Directors - Executive Partner and Founder of Global Healthcare Opportunities, LLP, with over 25 years of global operating and management experience
  • Lori Marcus, Vice Chairwoman of the Board - Founder of Courtyard Connections, a consumer goods advisory firm, with over 30 years of marketing expertise
  • Paul Giusti, President and Chief Executive Officer
  • Kathy Giusti, Board Member and Co-Founder - Continues to serve as spokesperson and relationship steward for the foundation

Michael Andreini (President and CEO at time of quote) stated: "To better understand myeloma, researchers need to understand how the disease affects all patients. Only then will we be able to find the most effective personalised treatments."

From founder Kathy Giusti on research priorities: "We see new hope every day as we share big data to drive discovery and pursue innovative approaches in immune therapy, targeted drugs and trial design."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

MMRF Scholars Programme: Applications are submitted online through ProposalCentral (proposalcentral.com) with an annual deadline of September 30. Applicants must have an MD and/or PhD or equivalent degree(s), have completed at least one year of post-doctoral training, and not hold a title higher than Assistant Professor at a US institution at the time of the award.

Research Fellow Award Programme: Applications are submitted online through ProposalCentral with deadlines typically in June (varies annually). Applicants must be at the post-doctorate, medical fellow, or junior faculty level and propose a clinical, translational, or basic science project relevant to multiple myeloma.

MAC Programme Grants: These large-scale collaborative grants appear to be strategic or invitation-based rather than open application. The 2023 cycle awarded three grants totalling $21 million to established multicentre networks.

Pre-Application Requirements:

  • Research mentor in multiple myeloma or related field who will provide suitable research environment and guidance
  • Institutional support and appropriate facilities
  • Diversity plan for appropriate patient population representation in clinical or laboratory research (for Scholars Programme)

Decision Timeline

Approximately 2 months from application deadline to notification. For example, the 2023 Scholars Programme recipients were announced on November 30, 2023. Award start dates typically follow shortly after notification, with the understanding that multi-year awards require annual progress reporting.

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly available. However, the MMRF has supported nearly 400 projects at over 200 institutions worldwide across all its grant programmes since inception.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies is not publicly specified in available materials. Unsuccessful applicants should contact the MMRF directly for guidance on reapplication timelines and requirements.

Application Success Factors

Based on the MMRF's stated priorities and recent funding decisions, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Strong Translational Potential: The three 2023 MAC Grant recipients all focused on hypotheses "ready for rapid testing in clinical trials," indicating the MMRF prioritises research with clear pathways to clinical impact.

2. Collaborative Approach: MAC Grant recipients led multicentre networks including prestigious institutions. For example, Samir Parekh (Tisch Cancer Center at Mount Sinai) led a network including Albert Einstein Medical College, Hackensack University Medical Center, Stanford, UCSF, and Washington University.

3. Focus on High-Impact Questions: Recent grants targeted two areas of unmet need - optimising therapy for high-risk newly diagnosed patients and improving identification of high-risk SMM - suggesting applicants should address critical gaps in the field.

4. Expertise in Data-Driven Research: The MMRF's commitment to "sharing big data to drive discovery" and providing access to omics platforms indicates strong preference for applications incorporating sophisticated analytical approaches.

5. Alignment with Health Equity: The creation of the Scholars Programme specifically for Black and African American researchers demonstrates organisational commitment to diversity in the research workforce.

6. Strong Mentorship: Early-career programme guidelines emphasise the importance of having a research mentor in multiple myeloma who can provide suitable research environment and career development guidance.

7. Clear Career Development Plan: For early-career programmes, applications must demonstrate how the proposed research will advance the applicant's career trajectory in myeloma research.

8. Innovation in Approach: Leadership quotes emphasise "innovative approaches in immune therapy, targeted drugs and trial design," suggesting applications should propose novel methodologies or perspectives.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Focus on clinical translational potential: The MMRF prioritises research that can rapidly move from bench to bedside, with clear pathways to clinical trials
  • Build or join collaborative networks: MAC Grants specifically support multicentre initiatives, suggesting collaborative proposals have advantages
  • Address identified priority areas: Current focus is on high-risk disease identification and optimal first-line therapy, particularly for underserved populations
  • Leverage data and advanced analytics: Access to CoMMpass Study data and omics platforms indicates preference for sophisticated data-driven research
  • Early-career researchers should emphasise mentorship: Strong mentor letters and clear career development plans are essential for Scholars and Fellow programmes
  • Incorporate diversity considerations: Even for general research programmes, diversity plans for patient population representation are increasingly required
  • Demonstrate institutional support: Letters of institutional commitment and appropriate facilities strengthen applications significantly

References

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