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PRESS RELEASE: PDF Invites Scientists Pursuing Parkinson's Research to Apply for Funding FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 8, 2004 FROM: Parkinson's Disease Foundation - 710 West 168th Street - New York, NY 10023 Contact: Lucy Sargent, Director of Communications Phone: (212) 923-4700/ (646) 283-6278 PDF Invites Scientists Pursuing Parkinson's Research to Apply for Funding NEW YORK -- The Parkinson's Disease Foundation (PDF), a leading presence in the field of Parkinson's disease research, education, and public information is inviting applications from Parkinson's scientists for the PDF 2004-2005 International Research Grants Program (IRGP). The IRGP, formerly known as the PDF Extramural Grants Program, is believed to be one of the earliest privately funded competitive program for Parkinson's research. The program was run jointly with the Miami-based, National Parkinson Foundation for two years from 2002-2004. The IRGP currently awards grants of up to $40,000 to individual research scientists around the world who are conducting studies that are directly relevant to the causes of and a cure for Parkinson's disease. The studies must also be complementary to and not duplicative of other research in the field, and have the potential to lead to research proposals to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or international equivalent. Formal proposals are reviewed by a panel of eminent Parkinson's scientists headed by Stanley Fahn, M.D., the Houston Merritt Professor of Neurology at Columbia University, New York. "With these criteria, we aim to fund research of the highest quality, pertinence and long-term potential for solving the mystery of Parkinson's disease," Robin Elliott, Executive Director of the PDF said, "and at the same time, help to build the profession of movement disorders scientists and leverage additional funds from other sources." Of the 49 scientists to whom the PDF granted awards between 1999 and 2002, 18 have gone on to receive major awards from the NIH or the equivalent international agencies. "Few institutions provide funding for scientists to gather essential pilot data required in any new scientific investigation; most grants require a scientist to gather the pilot data first," said Dr. Giselle Petzinger, 2003 grant recipient from the University of Southern California. "The PDF has provided me with the funding to gather this essential data which will enable me to apply for a larger grant from NIH." Projects funded over the past several years have spanned the range of important areas of Parkinson's science, from studying the causes of neuronal cell death to examining the role of synuclein, a protein that has been implicated in some cases of familial PD. About Parkinson's and PDF. Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects almost 1 million Americans. The Parkinson's Disease Foundation, (www.pdf.org) founded in 1957, is a leading presence in the field of Parkinson's disease research, education, and public information. Programs include: advancing Parkinson's science through research awards and training fellowships, providing information and education to the Parkinson's community through materials and conferences, and engaging in advocacy work. Contact: (To inquire about the IRGP or to request an application form) Sharon Stone, Director of Research and Special Programs Tel: (212) 923-4700 Fax: (212) 923-4778 E-mail: [log in to unmask] The deadline for applications is Monday, February 9, 2004. SOURCE: The Parkinson's Disease Foundation http://www.pdf.org/AboutPDF/internationalresearch.cfm * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn