Jain Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,324,301 (2023)
• Total Investment: $40+ million to date
• Grant Range: $40,000-$600,000
• Geographic Focus: International
• Focus Area: Dysferlinopathy research exclusively

Contact Details

• Website: https://www.jain-foundation.org
• Phone: 425-882-1492
• Email: admin@jain-foundation.org
• Research Funding Email: researchfunding@jain-foundation.org
• CNNM2 Research Email: CNNM2ResearchFunding@jain-foundation.org
• Address: 9706 Fourth Ave NE, Suite 101, Seattle, Washington 98115

Overview

Founded in 2005 by Akshay Jain, the Jain Foundation is singularly focused on finding a cure for dysferlinopathy, a rare genetic muscle disease caused by mutations in the dysferlin gene. The foundation has invested over $40 million in research, drug development, patient support, and education, carefully selecting and monitoring more than 140 research projects and programmes worldwide. As a highly specialised medical research funder, they take a proactive, science-driven approach to accelerating therapeutic development through strategic funding and fostering collaboration within the global research community.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The foundation funds:

• Basic research on dysferlin biology and function
• Translational research for therapeutic development
• Clinical research and natural history studies
• Development of research tools and resources
• Collaborative research initiatives

Priority Areas

• Dysferlin and dysferlinopathy research
• CNNM2-related research (separate funding stream)
• Development of therapeutic interventions
• Clinical outcome studies
• Research infrastructure (cell lines, antibodies, animal models)

What They Don't Fund

• Research unrelated to dysferlinopathy or CNNM2
• General muscle disease research without specific dysferlin focus

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership:

• Akshay Jain - Chairman and CEO (Founder)
• Plavi Jain Mittal, PhD - Executive Director and Chief Scientific Officer
• Laura Rufibach, PhD - Co-President
• Doug Albrecht, PhD - Co-President
• Audrey Ostenson - Director of Research and Data Strategies

The foundation maintains an in-house Scientific Advisory Board comprised of PhDs who review all proposals and guide research strategy.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

1. Pre-proposal submission encouraged: Submit a 1-2 page pre-proposal to gauge foundation interest
2. Email submission:
   • Dysferlin-related proposals: researchfunding@jain-foundation.org
   • CNNM2-related proposals: CNNM2ResearchFunding@jain-foundation.org
3. Preparation: Review the foundation's "Research Tips" and "Research Tools" sections on their website
4. Consultation available: Researchers can consult with the Scientific Advisory Board for guidance

Decision Timeline

Typically 4-6 weeks for response to proposal submissions

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly specified

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's strategic approach:

• Strong dysferlin focus: Proposals must directly address dysferlinopathy research questions
• Scientific rigour: The in-house Scientific Advisory Board conducts thorough review
• Collaborative potential: Foundation values projects that foster collaboration within the research community
• Strategic alignment: Projects should align with foundation-identified research priorities
• Use of foundation resources: Familiarity with foundation-provided research tools and data

The foundation takes a proactive approach, often identifying specific research questions and soliciting proposals to address them.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Jain Foundation is highly specialised - only dysferlinopathy and CNNM2 research will be considered
• Pre-proposals are strongly encouraged to save time for both parties
• The foundation actively identifies research gaps and may solicit specific proposals
• They provide extensive research resources that applicants should leverage
• The foundation values collaboration and may connect researchers working on related projects
• With an in-house Scientific Advisory Board, expect thorough scientific review
• The foundation takes a hands-on approach to monitoring funded research progress
• Grant funding is typically awarded for 12-month periods
• Multi-year support is available for large-scale research projects

References

• Jain Foundation Official Website (https://www.jain-foundation.org)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/200284800)
• Inside Philanthropy - Jain Foundation Grant Guide (https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-j/jain-foundation)