A primary purpose of the Foundation is to fund desperately needed breakthrough research on the primary causes of anorexia nervosa (AN) and identify potential paths to treatment and prevention of this severe mental illness. Collaborative, co-funded research projects between academic institutions and industry are encouraged, but not required. Initially, the SKANRF will be funding Phase 1 proof-of-principle research with grants of $50K in the priority areas described below. Successful Phase 1 programs will be eligible for follow on funding up to an additional $200K. If you or your colleagues have novel ideas about how to advance these areas of interest, please contact the Foundation for more information and a one-page pre-proposal form. Other high risk-high reward research proposals outside of these four interest areas will also be considered.
The development of the gut microbiome in the first year of life is directed by both genetic and environmental factors and can have a life-long impact on the immune and other organ systems. We are particularly interested in research on the impact of the early gut microbiome on the development of later AN, anxiety, and depression.
The gut-brain axis (GBA) represents bidirectional communication between the central and enteric nervous systems. The links between the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain with peripheral intestinal function may involve the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems. We are particularly interested in research that advances understanding of the impact of diet and the gut microbiome in the first months of life on the development of the GBA and how it might modulate risk for AN and anxiety and/or depression later in life.
Establishing a path to prevention could be illuminated by identifying biomarkers for an elevated risk of AN, depression, and anxiety. We are particularly interested in research designed to identify early life changes in physiology using multi-omic techniques including genomic, epigenetic, proteomic, lipidomic, and metabolomic changes associated with increased risk of AN. Both animal models and human studies will be considered.
Download the 2025 Phase 1 Pre-proposal. Specific summer deadline TBA
download Phase 1 Pre-proposal