Scholar Awards

There is a critical need for investigators prepared to conduct clinical and translational research in myasthenia gravis (MG). The MGNet Scholar Program provides individualized training and mentorship for researchers pursuing Clinical and Translational Research and/or Biomarker Discovery. We encourage applicants to contact the MGNet Scholar Program administrator with any questions (MGNet@gwu.edu).

Applicants must have a MD (or equivalent) or PhD clinical fellows, post-doctoral fellows, or junior faculty are eligible. Mid career faculty wanting to pursue more dedicated MG research or to transition into MG research are also encouraged to apply. Applicants must identify a primary mentor with appropriate content expertise and experience mentoring young investigators. Candidates should be U.S. citizens, US permanent residents, or non US citizens with a valid visa to work in the US. Applicants with training outside the field of neurology are particularly encouraged to apply.

The MGNet Scholar Program provides mentored research training to prepare Scholars for an independent research career in the field of MG. Selected Scholars receive up to $75,000 to support salary, research costs and didactics. Ten percent indirect costs are provided. After year one, Scholars are encouraged to transition to NIH, departmental or private foundation support, or to compete for a second year of funding after submission of a second application that includes a description of accomplishments and pilot data.

Research must constitute at least 50% of each Scholar’s professional effort. Each Scholar must form a 2-3 member advisory committee to include a primary mentor and an additional clinician-investigator or collaborator. After award a MGNet faculty mentor will be assigned. The advisory committee will meet with the Scholar at least quarterly to review progress and each Scholar will develop an individual academic career development plan and renew it with the committee at least every 6 months.

Applicants must submit a completed application as one pdf and should be uploaded to the MGNet Scholar portal no later than close of business January 15, 2026.

• Specific Aims (1 page)
• Research proposal developed in collaboration with the primary mentor (2 pages)
• Applicant research experience, career goals, and research training plan (1 page)
• Applicant NIH Biosketch (max 5 pages)
• Three letters of recommendation supporting the applicant’s research potential (primary mentor and 2 others). Primary mentor letter must detail the research training plan for the applicant, including any research skills, didactics, workshops or professional skills to be developed.
• Primary Mentor NIH Biosketch
• Letter from department chair describing support for the candidate and at least 50% protected time to complete the program, effort can be supported by MGNet Program and/or in combination of cost share commitment.
• NIH PHS 398 Detailed Budget Page and budget justification with any proposed cost sharing commitment.

Application Due: January 15, 2026, 5pm EST

Award Notifications: February 2026

Funding Commences: March 2026

Applications will be reviewed by a MGNet Scholar Program Committee. Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Applicant’s commitment to MG career and promise as a scientist (30%)
• Training plan, environment and mentorship (30%)
• Scientific merits of the research plan (40%)

MGNet is a member of the Rare Disease Clinical Research Network Consortium supported by U54 NS115054