Dr. George C. Cotzias Memorial Fellowship

APDA Research & Impact Research Opportunities Dr. George C. Cotzias Memorial Fellowship

Dr. George C. Cotzias Memorial Fellowship:  Academic Year 2025-2028

Letter of Intent due: Dec 16 at 5:00PM EST, 2024.

Invitation for full application: Early February 2025

Full Application due: April 2025

Award details

Dr. George C. Cotzias was a pathfinder in the pharmacologic exploration of brain functions and in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease with levodopa. His work stimulated much of the current interest and research on the problems of the neurological movement disorders. It is to honor the memory of the late Dr. Cotzias and to stimulate young neurologists to follow his leadership that The American Parkinson Disease Association has established the George C. Cotzias Fellowship.

One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) will be awarded each year for salary and supporting research expenses for three consecutive years providing the required conditions are met to the satisfaction of the APDA Scientific Advisory Board, and the APDA Board of Directors.

The applicants will receive notification of the decision in June 2024. The APDA grant year runs from September 1st, 2025, to August 31st, 2028.

Goal

The Dr. George C. Cotzias Memorial Fellowship is intended to assist promising young neurologist in establishing careers in research, teaching and patient care relevant to the problems, causes, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease and related neurological movement disorders.

Eligibility

The applicant must be a physician who is licensed to practice medicine in the US and who is completing, or has completed, training in a clinical discipline concerned with disorders of the nervous system (i.e. adult neurology, child neurology, neurosurgery, neuropathology). The applicant should be an instructor or assistant professor and demonstrate a clear commitment to the goal described above. There should also be evidence that the sponsoring institution will provide the environment and support needed for career development.

The applicant should be no more than 10 years beyond completion of his/her clinical training at the time of submission and must be sponsored by a non-profit institution in the US or its territories.

Application Process and Proposal

Required information in the Letter of Intent:

  1. Provide an overview of research activities to be carried out. You can upload figures in supplemental materials. (400 words)
  2. Highlight the novelty of the current research as well as the relevance and potential significance of the findings to the PD community (100 words)
  3. Indicate collaborations with other internal or external researchers/organizations. (50 words)
  4. Explain why your institution and your lab are equipped to perform this research (100 words)
  5. Provide a narrative of how the budget will be allocated (% personnel, % equipment, etc.) (50 words)
  6. Citations (unlimited)

 In addition, the applicant’s NIH biosketch is required.

Funding

10% of the total funding ($10,000) can be allocated to indirect costs. This is included in the $100,000.

Funding is not to be used for:

  • Salary for the principal investigator higher than $75,000; fringe benefits are included under this category
  • Travel expenses higher than $3,000 each year.
  • Publication costs higher than $1000 each year.
  • Equipment costs higher than $10,000 each year.

Grant Disbursement

The funds ($100,000 per year) will be awarded as follows:

  • $50,000 awarded on or about September of each fiscal year; $25,000 on or about March of each fiscal year and $25,000 on or about June of each fiscal year
  • Funding is dependent on receipt of acceptable yearly scientific and financial reports.
  • A final scientific and financial report is also required at the end of the third year.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Dr. Elvin Yao, Senior Programs and Research Manager, at eyao@apdaparkinson.org.

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