The NCL Foundation has opened applications for the Rare-to-Common Neurodegeneration Impact Prize, a €200 000 award designed to support collaborative research projects at the interface between CLN3 Batten disease and more common neurodegenerative or age-related disorders.
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) is a rare, inherited metabolic disease that remains largely under-researched. It is incurable, progresses relentlessly and leads to early death, typically beginning in childhood with loss of vision followed by cognitive and motor decline.
Bridging rare and common neurodegeneration
The prize aims to bring together research groups working on CLN3 — the most common form of NCL — with teams studying fields such as Alzheimer’s disease, retinal degeneration, cellular ageing or lysosomal dysfunction. Increasing evidence shows that these conditions share biological mechanisms, including lysosomal impairment and inflammatory pathways, offering opportunities for joint therapeutic advances.
Applications must be submitted by two collaborating research groups, one specialising in CLN3 and the other in a related field. The call is open internationally to teams affiliated with scientific institutions.
The application process follows two stages, beginning with a short project outline. The deadline for outline submission is 31 August 2026, with selected teams invited to submit full proposals by 31 October 2026.
Researchers seeking partners for their proposal can request matchmaking support from the Foundation, which also provides a global overview of NCL research groups to facilitate collaboration.
Further details and application information are available in the full call: Rare-to-Common Neurodegeneration Impact Prize.