Our Focus Remains on Research and Education
Since Kennedy’s Disease is a rare disorder, funding for research is not always readily available. The Kennedy’s Disease Association (KDA) financially supports as well as promotes research to find a treatment or cure for this disease. In April 2023, the KDA board was fortunate to visit and tour the National Institute of Health (NIH). Over the years, the NIH staff has played a key role in helping the KDA find a cure for Kennedy's Disease. The KDA supports research through the following programs:
- Research Grants: The KDA is committed to fund one or more research grants each year to further the understanding of the pathological mechanisms of Kennedy’s Disease. Grants are awarded based upon the recommendations of the KDA’s Scientific Review Board after a thorough review of each applicant’s research. Applications from junior investigators and from senior post-doctoral fellows are encouraged.
- Young Investigator Awards: The Kennedy's Disease Association (KDA) believes it is important to support young researchers who are enthusiastic about their work. We believe by doing so, we will encourage young researchers to include research in SBMA in their future career research plans. This is the reason the KDA created the "KDA Waite-Griffen SBMA Fellowship" named after KDA founder's Terry Waite and Patrick Griffin who with help from Terry's wife Susanne established the KDA in 2000.
- Emergency Grants: Occasionally, the KDA has supported an on-going research project allowing a lab to continue their research while applying for additional funding.
