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Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Medical Research Foundation

Annual Giving
$35.2M
Grant Range
$50K - $3.5M

Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Medical Research Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $35,217,204 (2023)
  • Number of Grants: 38 awards (2023)
  • Grant Range: $50,000 - $3,500,000
  • Geographic Focus: U.S. and international (primarily leading research institutions)
  • Application Type: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited proposals
  • Primary Focus: Neurology, Oncology, Immunology

Contact Details

Address: 300 1st Ave Suite 300, Needham, MA 02494

Phone: (781) 972-5900

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.adelsonfoundation.org

Overview

Founded in 2006 by business magnate Sheldon G. Adelson (of blessed memory, 1933-2021) and physician-scientist Dr. Miriam Adelson, the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Medical Research Foundation (AMRF) represents a distinctive approach to medical research funding. With annual giving exceeding $35 million, AMRF is committed to open and highly integrated collaboration among investigators participating in goal-directed discovery and clinical research to prevent, reduce, or eliminate disabling and life-threatening illnesses. The foundation operates not as a traditional grantmaker but rather establishes its own research programs and creates virtual labs comprised of multi-disciplinary, cross-organizational experts. Dr. Miriam Adelson, who earned her MD magna cum laude from Tel Aviv University's Sackler Faculty of Medicine, has since 1986 devoted her career to researching and treating drug abuse and the biology of addiction, bringing this commitment to collaborative science to the foundation's mission.

Funding Priorities

Research Programs

AMRF establishes focused, multi-year research initiatives rather than responding to general proposals. Current and recent programs include:

  • Adelson Program in Neural Repair and Rehabilitation (APNRR): Focuses on axon regeneration, stem cell applications, myelin sheathing for electrical pulse conduction, brain injury and disease, peripheral and spinal cord nerve regeneration, and multiple sclerosis research
  • Adelson Program in Multiple Myeloma Research (APMMR): Launched in 2018, provides three-year awards supporting seven biomedical researchers conducting translational research at four leading academic institutions (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Broad Institute)
  • Cancer Research Programs: Research on various types of genetic, epigenetic and molecular alterations in ovarian cancer; translation of promising scientific and therapeutic leads into near-term clinical trials; melanoma treatments
  • Ubiquitin Proteasome Pathway Research: Development of new therapies for malignancies, immunological and inflammatory diseases, and degenerative diseases of the nervous system

Priority Areas

  • Neurology: Neural repair, stroke recovery, neurodegenerative diseases, brain injury, spinal cord injury
  • Oncology: Multiple myeloma, ovarian cancer, melanoma, cancer therapeutics
  • Immunology: Immune-related diseases and therapies

The foundation emphasizes "translation of discovery science to clinically applicable technologies" and pursues "novel interventions at all stages" of disease.

Geographic and Institutional Focus

Recent grants have supported researchers at institutions including:

  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Rockefeller University
  • Cedars Sinai Medical Center
  • Stanford University
  • Hebrew University of Jerusalem
  • Burke Neurological Institute at Weill Cornell Medicine
  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
  • MD Anderson Cancer Center

Governance and Leadership

Founders and Key Leadership

Dr. Miriam Adelson (Co-Founder): Dr. Adelson earned her BSc in microbiology and genetics at Hebrew University of Jerusalem before pursuing medical studies at Tel Aviv University's Sackler Faculty of Medicine, graduating with an MD magna cum laude. Since 1986, she has devoted her time to researching and treating drug abuse and the biology of addiction. She oversees clinics for the treatment of addictive diseases in Las Vegas and Tel Aviv. Dr. Adelson stated about the foundation's approach: "AMRF encourages teams of renowned scientists across multiple institutions to collaboratively pursue significant research goals."

Sheldon G. Adelson (Co-Founder, of blessed memory): Founding Trustee who passed away on January 11, 2021, at age 87.

Organizational Structure

The AMRF operates through:

  • Trustees
  • Executive Director
  • Scientific Officers
  • Program Directors
  • Scientific Managers

The Program Director and Scientific Officer are primarily responsible for recruiting the initial cadre of collaborating scientists with input from the Executive Director and Scientific Managers. Trustees, Executive Director, Scientific Officers and Managers make decisions about what programs to initiate and establish general goals for research programs.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Adelson Medical Research Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. AMRF generally recruits researchers directly for participation in its research projects and does not run a formal application program.

The foundation's model involves:

  1. Trustees and leadership identify priority research areas
  2. Foundation establishes specific research programs with defined goals
  3. Program Directors and Scientific Officers recruit leading researchers in the field
  4. Recruited scientists form collaborative teams across multiple institutions
  5. Foundation provides both infrastructure and financial support

Eligibility Requirements (for invited researchers):

  • Must hold Ph.D. degrees
  • Must be willing to work in a team-based, collaborative approach rather than as individual investigators
  • Must be open to cross-institutional collaboration

For Interested Researchers:

While unsolicited proposals are not accepted, researchers interested in the foundation's work are encouraged to:

  • Review the foundation's model and program pages on their website
  • Sign up for email updates through their website
  • Submit inquiries through their contact page at www.adelsonfoundation.org
  • Contact the foundation at (781) 972-5900 or [email protected]

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - researchers are recruited by invitation rather than through an application review process.

Success Rates

The foundation awards fewer than 20 grants per year, typically selecting 38 total awards in 2023 from its recruited researcher pool.

Application Success Factors

Given the invitation-only model, success depends on being identified and recruited by the foundation rather than submitting competitive applications. However, the following factors characterize researchers who receive AMRF support:

Research Excellence and Institutional Affiliation: The foundation consistently recruits researchers at top-tier universities and research institutes in the U.S. and internationally. Recent beneficiaries include investigators at Johns Hopkins, Rockefeller University, Stanford, Harvard-affiliated institutions, and leading cancer centers.

Commitment to Collaboration: As Dr. Miriam Adelson emphasized, the foundation "encourages teams of renowned scientists across multiple institutions to collaboratively pursue significant research goals." Researchers must demonstrate willingness to participate in multi-disciplinary, cross-organizational teams rather than working in isolation.

Translational Research Focus: The foundation prioritizes research with clinical applications. As noted in program descriptions, AMRF emphasizes "translation of discovery science to clinically applicable technologies." Dr. Kristian Hedstrom noted that programs like APMMR are "poised to have a significant impact on therapeutic advancements."

Alignment with Priority Disease Areas: Researchers working in neurology (particularly neural repair and neurodegenerative diseases), oncology (especially multiple myeloma, ovarian cancer, melanoma), and immunology are more likely to be considered for foundation-initiated programs.

Team-Based Approach: The foundation explicitly requires invited researchers to "work in terms of a team approach rather than an individual one." Successful grant recipients demonstrate ability to collaborate with peers at multiple institutions within creative, risk-taking research frameworks.

Monitoring and Dissemination: The foundation monitors and disseminates findings from its research programs, suggesting that willingness to share results openly and participate in collaborative knowledge-building is valued.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is not a traditional application-based funder: AMRF recruits researchers rather than reviewing unsolicited proposals. You cannot submit a standard grant application.
  • Focus on visibility in target research areas: Since recruitment is invitation-only, building reputation and visibility in neurology, oncology, or immunology research at leading institutions increases likelihood of being identified.
  • Emphasize collaborative capacity: The foundation's entire model centers on cross-institutional, multi-disciplinary teams. Any introduction or inquiry should highlight collaborative research experience and willingness to work in virtual lab settings.
  • Substantial, multi-year funding available: With grants ranging from $50,000 to $3.5 million and programs spanning multiple years, AMRF provides significant resources when it does engage researchers.
  • Infrastructure support beyond dollars: The foundation provides not just funding but also infrastructure to foster collaboration, including coordination of virtual labs and dissemination of findings.
  • Limited number of annual grants: With fewer than 20 grants typically awarded per year despite $35+ million in annual giving, individual awards are substantial but highly selective.
  • Consider inquiry submission: While unsolicited proposals are not accepted, interested researchers can submit inquiries through the website contact page or by calling the foundation directly to introduce their work and express interest in future programs.

References

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