Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Neurofibromatosis Research Program (NFRP) Neurofibromatosis Research Academy – Leadership Award (NFRALA) supports visionary, established neurofibromatosis (NF) investigators with documented history of neurofibromatosis funding, publications, strong mentorship and commitment to leadership to serve as Director and Deputy Director of the Neurofibromatosis Research Academy. The Academy Director and Deputy Director will execute a multi-institutional, interactive, virtual research academy that consists of scholars, who are early-career investigators, and their career guides, who serve as the scholars’ primary mentors.

Distinctive Features:

• Academy Director: Established NF investigators at or above the level of Associate Professor, or equivalent, at the full application submission deadline.

• Academy Deputy Director: Investigators at or above the level of Associate Professor, or equivalent, at the full application deadline and affiliated with a different institution than the Academy Director.

• Pilot Research Project: The Academy Director and Deputy Director will conduct one or more pilot research projects in collaboration with the academy scholars. Preliminary and/or published data relevant to NF and the proposed research project are encouraged but not required.