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Grant for Study of Skeletal Dysplasia (GSSD)


Read the most recent updates on founder Amer Haider's blog. 

Update: September 18, 2014


We received many exciting and promising proposals. The submitted proposals were critically reviewed, scored and ranked by experts (see committee below) and award(s) were based on available funding.  We are happy to announce:

Inaugural Grant for Study of Skeletal Dysplasia (GSSD) is happy to support the winning proposal 

Survey of C-Type 
Natriuretic Peptide Levels in People with Skeletal Dysplasia.
A  multicenter project within the Nemours health system.
Robert Olney, MD
Division of Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic
Department of Pediatric 
Nemours Children's Clinic
Jacksonville, FL 
Michael B. Bober, MD, PhD
Medical Genetics
Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
Wilmington, DE 


The initial grant will be $50,000 (reduced from original $100K to manage resources) over two years starting October 2014. We will post updates from the researchers on our blog. 

Unfortunately, we had many wonderful and promising proposals that we cannot fund due to funding constraints. To address this need we are starting a new funding program that can raise funds for proposals. This new program is called Crowd Funding For Study of Skeletal Dysplasia (CFSSD). Researchers who want to learn more on how we can try and raise funds for their proposals should contact Amer Haider at amerhhh@gmail.com or info@growingstronger.org. We will volunteer to create a crowd funding page for proposals on www.indiegogo.com. We will manage the page and try to help raise funds for programs through the little people community. Researchers will have full access to review and edit the funding site we create. 


We will post the links to CFFSD programs below in the coming months.


Update: May 29, 2014

The review committee has reviewed the submitted LOIs. Selected LOIs have been asked to submit full proposal by June 20, 2014. The review committee is trying to complete the full review process and announce grantees at the LPA MAB board meeting. 

Thank you for your support. 


Update: February, 2014

Request for Study Proposals - Background

Growing Stronger in collaboration with Little People of America (LPA) and the LPA's Medical Advisory Board (MAB) are pleased to announce a small grant program to help promote and foster research that aims to improve the quality of medical care and social support for individuals with skeletal dysplasia. A limited number of grants up to $50,000 will be awarded for a period of up to 2 years.

In early 2014 Growing Stronger invited interested individuals associated with a non-profit organization to submit a letter-of-intent (LOI) available below by April 15, 2014.  The most highly ranked of these LOIs for potential projects will be selected by May 15, 2014 for submission of a 10-page application by June 15, 2014 for full review.  Final decisions will be announced August 1, 2014 for funding to begin October 1, 2014. 


Proposed projects may range in size depending on scope, cost and time within the limits stated above. Formal LOIs should by submitted online (see form below). Submissions should contain clearly defined specific aims with measurable outcomes and predetermined milestones.  Awards will be based on peer review with special consideration given to the following:
  • Potential to improve the quality and/or safety of the care of individuals with skeletal dysplasia
  • Potential to improve monitoring of natural history and early detection of complications
  • Potential applicability to more than one condition
  • Likelihood that results/outcomes will be measurable and meaningful
  • Track record of applicant in field relevant or potentially relevant to skeletal dysplasia
  • Preliminary evidence supporting the rationale for the proposal and its feasibility
  • Potential for publication, project expansion, and future grant funding
  • Collaborative nature of the grant (number of investigators and institutions involved)

Budgets should be appropriate for the proposed research and properly justified.  Final funding levels will be determined by the GSSD Grant Review Committee. 

Grant Review Committee currently consists of:
1. Dr. William Mackenzie
2. Dr. William Horton
3. Dr. Morrys Kaisermann
4. Ericka Okenfuss
5. Amer Haider


For any inquires please contact info@growingstronger.org or Amer Haider at: amerhhh @ gmail.com or call (408) 234 - 0520



Application Form: (if you cannot see the form below CLICK HERE to open the form in a new window)


Copyright 2015. See privacy policy.
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Growing Stronger
    • Founding Donors
    • Scientific Advisory Committee
    • UK Chapter
    • Privacy Statement
    • News >
      • In the News
  • Learn
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Parent Resources
    • Blogs >
      • Dr. Morry's Blog
      • Dr. Jyoti's Blog
      • Greg Lunstrum's Blog
      • Dr. Wilcox's Blog
      • Dr. Mohammadi's Blog
      • Amer's Blog
    • Videos and Presentations
    • How to raise funds
    • How to Join Team Growing Stronger
    • Description of Target Molecule
  • Donate
    • Donate
    • Become an Ambassador
    • Raise funds for dwarfism
    • Join Team Growing Stronger
  • LP Doc Talk
  • Grant Info
    • Grant for the Study of Skeletal Dysplasia
    • Grant Recipients
    • Emeritus Grant Recipients >
      • Dr. Horton's Lab >
        • Dr. Jyoti Blog
      • Dr. Wilcox's Lab
  • Contact Us