Recent data shows that neurological conditions affect 43% of the world’s population and contribute to the global disease burden more than any other type of condition, including cardiovascular diseases. Such a diverse range of challenges requires advances on multiple fronts, from the development of more predictive animal models to novel pharmacodynamic biomarkers and better means of treatment delivery.
WARF and Nexus NeuroTech Ventures are partnering to launch the WARF Accelerator Neurotechnology Challenge Grant to identify and support cutting-edge neurotechnologies on campus.
Grant Details:
- WARF Accelerator will award 2-5 grants from a pool of approximately $100,000.
- Proposed research should be completed within a year.
- A team of WARF and Nexus NeuroTech Ventures staff will evaluate and select proposals jointly.
- Nexus NeuroTech Ventures receives no rights to any IP.
- Nexus NeuroTech Ventures will make available mentors for funded projects.
Nexus NeuroTech Ventures Focus:
Nexus NeuroTech Ventures is looking to advance breakthrough technologies for brain disorders, including medical devices, software, diagnostics, technology-enabled care services and research tools. Their focus areas include Parkinson’s disease and bipolar disorder, along with cross-cutting clinical areas such as seizures, cognitive dysfunction and mood disorders.
Neurotechnology Challenge Focus:
We are seeking innovations that could translate into novel ways of diagnosing and treating neurological conditions, including but not limited to neurodegenerative, neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Example projects may include:
- Developing tools, of any nature, capable of anticipating the diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction, from imaging techniques to blood-based biomarkers
- New, non-invasive electrical stimulation modalities and optogenetic stimulation modalities for Parkinson’s disease
- Innovations in brain organoids with disease phenotype
Even if your idea is outside of these examples or is in the early stages, we encourage you to apply. We are eager to hear and support innovative neurotechnology solutions.
Assessment Criteria:
- Scientific merit
- Novelty of the concept (not previously disclosed to WARF)
- Technical readiness
- Commercial potential
- Transformational impact on neurology
- Quality of the application
To Apply:
- Individuals and teams should complete these questions and submit them as an attachment to your innovation disclosure. Please include “Neurotechnology Challenge” in the non-confidential description of your innovation.
- The deadline for applications is April 1. Awards will be announced by May 15.
Questions?
Contact Jeanine Burmania, [email protected], 608-960-9846
Note: As this is an internal competition, applications are not routed through RSP and should not be submitted via RAMP.