About this opportunity
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a genetic disorder of the peripheral nerves, and much of the work that could lead to a treatment sits with researchers early in their careers, when funding is hardest to find. The George and Cleary Simpson Award for Emerging Researchers was built for exactly that moment.
The Charcot-Marie-Tooth Research Foundation gives one award per cycle, worth USD 75,000 for a year, with up to USD 1,500 of it available for travel. The focus area for the 2026/2027 cycle is transcriptional regulation of the peripheral nerve using omic level analysis, and proposals outside that area will not be considered. Applicants from all countries are eligible, and the awardee receives free registration for a Global CMT Research Convention during the award period, alongside access to the foundation's consortia, committees and mentors.
Applications open on 7 December 2026 and close on 29 January 2027, after an optional Letter of Intent window that runs from 15 October to 12 November 2026. Applications are reviewed in spring 2027, award notification is issued on 1 June 2027, and the earliest project start date is 1 July 2027.
What you receive
- USD 75,000 for one year of independent early career research into Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
- Up to USD 1,500 of the award may be set aside for travel, and the awardee receives free registration for a Global CMT Research Convention during the award period
- Access to leading experts through CMTRF consortia and committees, plus mentorship and networking
- A presentation slot within the CMTRF research community
- One award per cycle, given to a single early career researcher working within the year's defined focus area
Who can apply
- Applicants must be graduate students at Master's or PhD level, or have completed a terminal degree such as an MD or PhD no more than ten years before the application deadline
- A letter of support from a principal investigator sponsor or mentor is required
- Early career investigators must already have the resources and ability to conduct independent research, or expect to have their own lab by the proposed start of the award
- The proposed research must address the 2026/2027 focus area, transcriptional regulation of the peripheral nerve using omic level analysis
- Work may be conducted in academic, non profit or pharmaceutical and biotech institutions
- Applicants from all countries are eligible
- Collaborative projects between research groups, and between academic and industry investigators, are strongly encouraged
Who should not apply
- Proposals outside the defined focus area will not be considered in this cycle
- Applicants more than ten years past their terminal degree are not eligible for this award
Documents to prepare
- The full application form on the CMTRF apply page
- A letter of support from a principal investigator sponsor or mentor
- A research plan addressing transcriptional regulation of the peripheral nerve using omic level analysis
- An optional Letter of Intent during the 15 October to 12 November 2026 window, through the GCSAFER Letter of Intent portal
- The 2026/2027 research request brief, published as a PDF on the award page
How to apply
- Read the award page and the 2026/2027 research request brief at https://cmtrf.org/research/gcsafer/
- Optionally submit a Letter of Intent between 15 October and 12 November 2026 through the Letter of Intent portal linked on that page
- Prepare a full application with your research plan and the required letter of support
- Submit the application through https://cmtrf.org/apply/ during the window that runs from 7 December 2026 to 29 January 2027
- Write to the foundation for application questions at the contact shown on the apply page
Selection process
- Optional Letters of Intent are accepted between 15 October and 12 November 2026
- Application submissions are open from 7 December 2026 to 29 January 2027
- Applications are reviewed in spring 2027
- Award notification is issued on 1 June 2027
- The earliest project start date is 1 July 2027
- Awards are prioritised for applicants whose projects show strong scientific merit and high potential to lead to further CMT drug development research
Sources and verification
Related opportunities
- EPFL Summer Research Program 2027, School of Life Sciences
EPFL's School of Life Sciences is taking applications for its two month Summer Research Program 2027 in Switzerland, carrying a CHF 3,600 stipend plus housing and travel cover.
- FAPESP Young Investigator Grant for International Researchers 2026
FAPESP is inviting researchers based outside Brazil to build independent research programmes in the State of Sao Paulo, with up to BRL 2,500,000 per proposal over 60 months and a maximum of 20 fellowships. Full proposals are due 19 November 2026.
- Cancer Grand Challenges Funding Call on Gastroesophageal Cancers
Cancer Grand Challenges has opened two targeted funding challenges on gastroesophageal cancers, with awards of up to $34 million to international research teams. Full applications close on 24 November 2026, and a Letter of Interest should be sent at least two weeks earlier.
Questions applicants ask
How much is the award?
USD 75,000 for one year, with up to USD 1,500 of it available for travel.
Who can apply?
Graduate students and early career researchers within ten years of a terminal degree, from all countries, with a letter of support from a sponsor or mentor.
What research does this cycle fund?
Transcriptional regulation of the peripheral nerve using omic level analysis, within basic science, translational or clinical research applicable to Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease drug development.
When can I apply?
The application window runs from 7 December 2026 to 29 January 2027, after an optional Letter of Intent period from 15 October to 12 November 2026.
Do I need my own lab?
You must already have the resources and ability to run independent research, or expect to have your own lab by the proposed start of the award.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
