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Jain Foundation Inc

Jain Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed
  • Total Investment: $40+ million to date
  • Grant Range: Not publicly specified
  • Geographic Focus: International
  • Focus Area: Dysferlinopathy research exclusively

Contact Details

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 programs worldwide. As a highly specialized 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 Programs

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:
  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

Not publicly specified, though the foundation maintains active engagement with funded researchers

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 rigor: 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 specialized - 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

References

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