The Live Like Lou Foundation is pleased to announce that applications are open for its Graduate Fellowship.

The Live Like Lou Graduate Fellowship is intended to encourage new researchers in PhD or MD/PhD graduate programs conducting innovative neurodegenerative disease research aimed at finding treatments or cures for ALS. Click for an overview of the application and requested materials.

The 2026 program will award two graduate students working on ALS enrolled in an academic institution or equivalent research environment up to $50,000 annually for up to 2 years, beginning June 2026.

For awards funded by the Live Like Lou Foundation, our grants to institutions support our research priorities. As such, none of our funds may be used for indirect costs, facilities, and/or administrative costs. All funds awarded by the Live Like Lou Foundation are expected to be used for research in this field (after costs, if applicable).

‍Scientific Review Process: Each application is reviewed by two independent experts with relevant expertise and scored accordingly. Applications are ranked based on their average score, and the top 10 percent are considered finalists. Finalists are then reviewed and discussed by a second independent review panel composed of members of Live Like Lou’s Scientific Advisory Board, which makes funding recommendations to the Live Like Lou Foundation Board of Trustees. As part of the review process, applicants receive a brief written summary highlighting the strengths of their proposal and opportunities for improvement.

Funding and Eligibility

• Students must be enrolled full-time in a PhD or MD/PhD graduate program during this award's 2026-2028 academic years.
• Students should be in the research years of their degree program (post-qualifying exam).
• This award must be administered through the student's university. Payment will be made to the university, not directly to the student.
• Non-citizens and institutions outside the US are eligible to apply.

Apply Now!

Deadline

• April 13, 2026—Application Due
• June 2026—Anticipated Decision

Please contact info@livelikelou.org with any questions.

Read about past Graduate Fellowship recipients:

• 2025—He "Lilian" Gao, University of California at San Diego and Thao Nguyen, Standford University