SMA Europe seeks research projects on motor regeneration, metabolism

SMA Europe is accepting proposals for research projects that can help scientists better understand spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and improve outcomes for people living with the condition.

This is the organization’s 13th biennial call for proposals. For this round of funding, projects about regeneration of the motor system and the multisystem impact of SMA, particularly metabolism, are of particular interest. However, any SMA-related research project is eligible.

The application submission deadline is Sept. 30. Applicants should expect final decisions and notifications by March-April 2027.

Recommended Reading

June 17, 2026 News by Michela Luciano, PhD

Migraine drug may protect motor neurons in SMA: Mouse study

Community priorities shape research call

“The Call aims to strengthen a collaborative research ecosystem that responds to community-defined priorities, accelerates scientific insight, and contributes to building the scientific foundations necessary for meaningful clinical progress,” according to SMA Europe’s information for applicants.

SMA is a genetic condition that causes the loss of motor neurons, the specialized nerve cells that control movement. As motor neurons progressively die, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, and other SMA symptoms can develop.

Researchers are still developing and refining treatments and trying to better understand the biological processes involved in SMA. SMA Europe funds research as part of its goal to improve life for people living with SMA. The organization is an umbrella group of SMA-focused patient organizations from across the continent. In addition to research funding, SMA Europe is involved in advocacy and awareness work.

In its most recent round of funding, the group supported five projects. These cover a range of topics in SMA, including biological markers of disease progression and treatment response. One team is investigating muscle stem cells — precursor cells that can develop into mature muscle cells and help repair damaged tissue — as a potential avenue for SMA treatment.

This type of regeneration, as well as other repair mechanisms within the motor system, is one of the areas of interest for the current call for proposals.

The other area of interest is the multisystem impact of SMA, and in particular, metabolism. While SMA has traditionally been considered a neuromuscular disease, researchers increasingly acknowledge that the disorder affects other parts of the body. Metabolic and nutritional issues are among the concerns for many people with SMA.

Motor regeneration, metabolism are priorities

While the SMA Europe Scientific Advisory Board will prioritize proposals about motor regeneration or SMA metabolism, other SMA-related applications also will be considered.

After reviewing the proposals, the SMA Europe Scientific Advisory Board will identify those it deems fundable, which will then be evaluated by the SMA Europe Community Research Panel. This panel includes patient advocates, who will evaluate the relevance, potential impact, and innovation of the proposals. Applicants must provide a plain language summary of their proposal, including their objectives and the relevance to the SMA community, for this portion of the review.

The organizations funding this call for proposals will make final decisions based on the scientific and community review steps. Besides SMA Europe, several SMA and neuromuscular disease advocacy groups are supporting this effort — AFM-Téléthon, Initiative SMA, FundAME, SMA Schweiz, Muskelsvindfonden, SMA Family Foundation Russia, and SMA Belgium.

SMA Europe expects to fund about three to four projects, each for no more than €150,000. The proposals will generally cover two years of research.

Principal investigators can submit proposals for operating grants, which would cover a specific project. Postdoctoral fellows can also apply for individual funding for their work.