Our Call for Research Projects
Call Number 12
Our 12th call for research projects is now closed
Our 12th call for research projects is now closed
SMA Europe launches Calls for SMA Research Proposals every two years.
This Call for SMA research projects is open to proposals that address the needs of people living with SMA and demonstrate a clear pathway to impactful outcomes, both in the short or longer term.
For the 12th Call, priority was given to projects focusing on the following areas:
- Reviving the motor unit in patients with SMA, with a specific interest in the role of NMJ (dys)function (including skeletal muscle and development/developmental vulnerability of motor neurons in the spinal cord/brain stem).
- Identifying biomarkers within and beyond the neuromuscular system.
- Understanding how metabolism is affected in SMA and how this might influence peripheral organs.
The 12th Call for Research proposals was generously co-funded by AFM-Téléthon, Initiative SMA, FundAME, SMA Schweiz, SMA UK, and Fundacja SMA.
For updates on the next Call (currently planned for 2026), please keep an eye on this page.

Scientific Advisory Board
We are supported by a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), composed of neuroscientists and neurologists with particular expertise in spinal muscular atrophy research, our Research Programme Manager and AFM’s Manager of International Scientific Affairs. The SAB identifies current and future priorities and through reviewing our grant applications, ensure that only the best science is funded.
The Call
- SMA therapy research
- 51%
- Fundemental research
- 43%
- Outcome measures
- 6%
Commitment
Since 2008, SMA Europe has funded or committed to fund €5,478,424 to SMA research through its Call for Research Proposals.
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