Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Emory University's Office of Sponsored Programs received a $840,000 project grant from the Defense Health Agency (DHA) under the Military Medical Research and Development program (CFDA 12.420), awarded April 1, 2026, with a completion date of March 31, 2028. The award supports research efforts titled "Repurposing Approved Drugs as First-in-Class Disruptors of the P38/MK2 Complex to Suppress Neuroinflammation in ALS," with research activities conducted in Atlanta, Georgia. This project represents hypothesis-driven biomedical research designed to develop innovative therapeutic solutions addressing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a critical neurodegenerative condition.

The funded research initiative will deliver translational research and drug development services focused on identifying and validating repurposed pharmaceutical compounds that disrupt the P38/MK2 signaling pathway to mitigate neuroinflammatory processes in ALS. As a leading academic medical research institution with extensive federal research capabilities, Emory University will execute basic and applied research activities consistent with DHA's mission to transform healthcare for military service members and the American public through innovative medical solutions. The two-year project period enables comprehensive investigation of therapeutic mechanisms and advancement of drug candidate development to address this severe neurodegenerative disease.