For over 35 years, AAMDSIF has provided research grants totaling in excess of $6 million to an international group of 109 researchers to help advance the understanding and treatment of aplastic anemia aplastic anemia: (ay-PLASS-tik uh-NEE_mee-uh) A rare and serious condition in which the bone marrow fails to make enough blood cells - red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The term aplastic is a Greek word meaning not to form. Anemia is a condition that happens when red blood cell count is low. Most… , myelodysplastic syndromes myelodysplastic syndromes: (my-eh-lo-diss-PLASS-tik SIN-dromez) A group of disorders where the bone marrow does not work well, and the bone marrow cells fail to make enough healthy blood cells. Myelo refers to the bone marrow. Dysplastic means abnormal growth or development. People with MDS have low blood cell count for at… (MDS), and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: (par-uk-SIZ-muhl nok-TURN-uhl hee-muh-gloe-buh-NYOOR-ee-uh) A rare and serious blood disease that causes red blood cells to break apart. Paroxysmal means sudden and irregular. Nocturnal means at night. Hemoglobinuria means hemoglobin in the urine. Hemoglobin is the red part of red blood cells. A… (PNH).
2026 Grant Cycle now open!
In 2026, AAMDSIF will accept proposals addressing these bone marrow failure disorders:
- Aplastic Anemia, Myelodysplastic Syndromes/Neoplasms (MDS), or Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH)
Funding is available to support two projects focusing on either Aplastic Anemia, MDS, or PNH at $80,000 over two years ($40,000 per year) judged to have the highest scientific merit by the AAMDSIF Medical Advisory Board reviewers. - Aplastic Anemia only
Funding is available to support one project focusing on Aplastic Anemia at $80,000 over two years ($40,000 per year) judged to have the highest scientific merit by the AAMDSIF Medical Advisory Board reviewers.
Applicant eligibility
The AAMDSIF Research Grant Program is open to New Investigators only. New Investigators are post-doctoral fellows, instructors, and those who have been assistant professors for fewer than five (5) years.
Required Letter of Intent (LOI)
LOIs are required prior to submission of full application. Applicants will be invited to submit a full application based on the LOI.
Letters of intent (LOIs) will be accepted from potential applicants. The deadline for LOI submission is June 30, 2026. LOIs must be submitted via the online grant application portal proposalCENTRAL, https://proposalcentral.altum.com/.
Application
Select applicants will be invited to submit full proposals, based on review of the letters of intent. Applications will be due October 31, 2026, and must be submitted via the grant application portal proposalCENTRAL, https://proposalcentral.altum.com/
Important dates:
Grant Portal Open: April 10, 2026
Letters of Intent Submission Deadline: June 30, 2026
Applications Due: October 31, 2026
Notification of Award: Early December 2026
Funding Begins: January 1, 2027
We look forward to an exciting 2026 grant cycle. Questions may be directed to Alice Houk, Senior Director of Health Professional Programs at houk@aamds.org
2026 Research Grant Guidelines
2026 AAMDSIF Research Grant Program Guidelines
https://assets.aamds.org/pdfs/2026_AAMDSIF_Research_Grant_Program_Guidelines_FINAL.pdf
AAMDSIF Grant Recipients (Prior Year Grantees)
A searchable list of AAMDSIF grant recipients (prior year grantees) can be found here. Awards can be searched by year or by Fund. To make a donation to an existing fund, to provide general support to the Foundation or to establish a research fund, you can make an online donation here or you can get more information by calling (301) 279-7202.