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Funder · Foundation

The ALS Association

Funds ALS research, patient care initiatives, and fellowships while advancing public advocacy and community support programs.

United Stateswww.als.org
Key stats
Annual funding—
Programs11
Active grants2
Total grants4
About

The ALS Association is a U.S. 501(c)(3) foundation headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Founded in 1985, it is the world's largest philanthropic funder of ALS research, and since the 2014 Ice Bucket Challenge it says it has committed more than $162 million to nearly 600 projects while supporting more than 100 active grants worldwide.

Its portfolio reaches from basic science to early clinical trials and from care delivery to infrastructure. The Hoffman ALS Clinical Trial Awards Program supports phase 1 or 2a biomarker-driven trials with up to $1 million over two or three years, while other routes include the Milton Safenowitz Postdoctoral Fellowship Program at up to $150,000, the Clinical Fellowship Program at up to $240,000, Seed Grants at up to $50,000, the Barnett Drug Development Program, Assistive Technology Grants, Prevention Grants, Quality of Care Research Awards, Partnership Grants, Trial Capacity Awards, and the Sheila Essey Award for ALS Research. ProposalCentral is the submission portal, and the Clinical Fellowship Program is co-administered with the American Academy of Neurology and the American Brain Foundation.

The association funds research worldwide, so applicants do not need to be U.S.-based. The strongest fit is a project with a clear ALS-specific question, a plausible path toward translation or care impact, and enough structure to fit an annual RFA or fellowship cycle.

Programs & grants under this funder
Assistive Technology Grants

Provides grants for ALS-focused assistive devices that help people with ALS stay healthier, more independent, and more capable daily.

Lawrence and Isabel Barnett Drug Development Program

Supports teams evaluating novel or repurposed ALS therapies through preclinical studies that prepare candidates for later patient testing.

Clinical Fellowship Program

Funds clinician-scientists in ALS with mentorship and protected time to move patient-care ideas toward clinical practice.

2 grants
Clinical Research Training Scholarship in ALS
Open
— pool
Richard Olney Clinician-Scientist Development Award in ALS
Open
— pool
Hoffman ALS Clinical Trial Awards Program

Funds early-stage clinical trials for novel or repurposed ALS therapeutics and imaging tracers.

1 grant
Hoffman ALS Clinical Trial Awards
Opens 2027
— pool
Partnership Grant Program

Supports grant-making at other nonprofits with potential to transform the ALS experience.

Prevention Grants

Supports efforts to prevent or delay the harms of ALS, aiming to impact care within 5–7 years.

Quality of Care Research Awards

Supports interventions to make ALS care safer, more accessible, more equitable, and more affordable.

Milton Safenowitz Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

Supports junior postdoctoral researchers working on ALS biology, biomarkers, and risk factors.

1 grant
Milton Safenowitz Postdoctoral Fellowship
Opens 2027
— pool
Seed Grants

Funds early ALS researchers by supporting initial experiments that can grow into stronger proposals and future large studies.

Sheila Essey Award for ALS Research

Offers recognition to ALS scientists and advocates for breakthroughs in understanding prevention, causes, and treatment opportunities.

Trial Capacity Awards

Supports ALS trial teams to broaden participant reach, strengthen inclusion, and improve delivery speed and quality.

Last verified: 28 May 2026Source: www.als.org