The Gilbert Family Foundation (GFF) is a private nonprofit foundation founded by philanthropists Dan Gilbert and Jennifer Gilbert. A core mission for GFF is to accelerate treatments and, ultimately, a cure for neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1). GFF is pleased to announce upcoming requests for applications (RFAs). This is a provisional RFA and details such as scope, timelines, and application instructions are subject to change. Once published, please review the individual RFAs prior to preparing your application packet.
NF1 is an autosomal dominant, genetic disorder that affects approximately 1 in every 2,500 births throughout the world. Hallmark features of NF1 include multiple café au lait (light brown) skin spots, neurofibromas (small benign growths) on or under the skin, and tumors on nerves that can lead to disfigurement, blindness, and cancer. NF1 can also result in cognitive disability, skeletal deformity, and cardiovascular complications. The course of the disease is both unpredictable and variable among individuals. Even within the same family, patients may experience vastly different symptoms with varying degrees of severity.
NF1 is caused by germline mutations in the neurofibromin 1 (NF1) gene, which encodes neurofibromin protein. Neurofibromin is primarily characterized as a GTPase-activating protein, catalyzing the conversion of active Ras-GTP into inactive Ras-GDP and thereby negatively regulates Ras/MAPK pathway activity. In NF1 disease, NF1 haploinsufficiency is thought to underlie vasculopathy and cognitive symptoms. The remaining majority of NF1 clinical manifestations require a separate mutational event in the somatic NF1 allele (a ‘second hit’). Tumor manifestations are typically benign; however, the accumulation of additional pathogenic mutations leads to progression to a more aggressive and/or malignant state.
GFF anticipates releasing multiple RFA announcements that cover the landscape of opportunity that will move NF1 research forward and advance disease-modifying treatments for NF1. These RFAs broaden eligibility and scope from GFF’s prior initiative-based structure to support efforts addressing a range of NF1 manifestations across all bench-to-bedside stages of drug discovery and technology development. GFF welcomes collaboration across labs with complementary expertise, encourages cross-disciplinary applications, and invites active GFF-funded investigators as well as new investigators to the GFF consortium to apply.
The scope of work GFF will support includes but is not limited to: explorative and early-stage mechanistic studies, foundational research, the development of tools and technologies that enable the NF1 field, as well as therapeutic development and clinical translation. GFF will continue to support cutting-edge and disruptive therapeutic approaches for NF1 such as gene therapy, immunotherapy, and emerging therapeutic modalities. GFF’s major priorities include supporting research addressing NF1-associated peripheral nerve tumors, brain tumors, vision impairment, as well as cognitive and behavioral manifestations. The exact scope of each RFA will address a defined area within this landscape.
GFF expects to support both pilot and full research awards during this application cycle.
All LOIs will be reviewed by GFF and invited full proposals will undergo rigorous review by an external peer review panel. Applications will be evaluated according to the Key Review Criteria to be outlined in the specific RFAs, scientific merit, and team synergies (if applicable). GFF will provide summaries of reviewer critiques and evaluations to full proposal applicants. Based on peer review and GFF priorities, GFF will work with selected applicants to revise submitted project plans and/or budgets prior to award execution.
The application process entails 2 stages:
1. Two-page letters of intent (LOIs): See LOI components below.
2. Full-length proposals: Guidelines for preparing the full application will be included with the invitation to submit full proposal. All full applications must be submitted online via GFF’s application portal.
All applicants must submit a LOI to GFF prior to submission of a full proposal. The LOI application consists of the following components and must be formatted in Arial 11-point or Times New Roman 12-point font with no less than ½ inch margins. To submit your LOI, please upload a combined pdf of the requested documents via the form/link included with each specific RFA.
1. Project Title
2. Applicant/PI Information: Team Science applications must identify one PI for administrative purposes (the Administrative PI for the proposal). For teams with US and international PIs, it is preferred that the US PI is designated as the applicant.
3. Organization/Institution Information: This is the Administrative PI’s institution.
4. Key Personnel Information: Identify other PIs and other key personnel on the team. All PIs share authority for project leadership. Please describe the nature of and rationale for the proposed collaboration, and the specific roles of all key personnel, including the Administrative PI.
4. LOI: Two-page maximum that includes:
a. specific aims
b. preliminary data including figures and tables
c. overview of proposed studies
d. key milestones and timelines
e. GFF funded awardees will be invited to provide an additional one-page summary of project progress. Please refer to the template included with the RFA.
5. References: One-page maximum.
We anticipate releasing two sets of RFAs in Q4 of 2026. Our overall process is expected to take approximately 9 months from RFA launch to notice of award. The intermediate steps and tentative timeframes are provided below. Applicants are encouraged to refer to the timelines included with each RFA.
| Tentative time frame | |
| RFA release | Q4 2026 |
| Letter of intent due | 4 weeks |
| Full application due date | 16 weeks |
| Revised proposal due date (if applicable) | 34 weeks |
| Notice of award | 40 weeks |
| Earliest project start date | 43 weeks |
For questions regarding GFF and/or this RFA, please contact Dr. Poornima Venkat at PoornimaVenkat@GilbertFamilyFoundation.org
For questions regarding expertise or resources available through NGNRI, please contact Dr. Elwy Okaz at ElwyOkaz@GilbertFamilyFoundation.org
If you have any questions, technical issues, or need to change your application after submission, please reach out to Caroline Poole at CarolinePoole@Rock.com or 313-771-3082.