The HUGO-GT™ Grant Awards aim to support impactful preclinical research projects by providing researchers access to state-of-the-art humanized mouse models. This grant program offers a range of awards, collectively valued at over $380,000, to fund development of fully Humanized Genomic Ortholog for Gene Therapy—HUGO-GT™—mice projects across ophthalmology, neurology, oncology, rare diseases, and ultra-rare diseases. One Grand Prize winner from each category will receive a free HUGO-GT™ wild-type humanized mouse model service (valued at $76,000). All eligible applicants will also receive 50% off CRISPR point mutation services on existing wild-type HUGO-GT™ models ($15,000 value).
With so much value at stake, this guide is intended to help applicants optimize their entries, stand out during the review process, and maximize their chances of winning a grant award. Below, we’ve provided tips and suggestions to help researchers craft competitive submissions.
Available HUGO-GT™ Grant Awards
The HUGO-GT™ Grant Awards include:
- Five (5) Grand Prizes: One per category (ophthalmology, neurology, oncology, rare diseases, ultra-rare diseases), each valued at $76,000.
- All Eligible Applicants: 50% off CRISPR point mutation services for existing wild-type HUGO-GT™ models ($15,000 value).
The award must be used for one (1) animal model generation project as described in the winning application and within six months of the award date.
Preparing to Apply
Before submitting, ensure you have thoroughly reviewed the Official Rules for detailed contest requirements. By submitting an entry, applicants agree to these terms. All applications will be reviewed based on their scientific merit, clarity of the proposal, feasibility, alignment with the research category, and potential impact on the field. It is critical to articulate how the proposed humanized mouse model addresses the biological questions of your study. Selecting the appropriate humanization strategy and gene-editing method is essential to creating a strong proposal.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early to maximize their chances of winning, as awards are granted on a rolling basis.
Application Documents
As detailed in the Application Guidelines, the following documents are required to submit an eligible entry:
1. Research Proposal
Your proposal should address the following key points:
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- Study Summary: Background of your study, biological questions, and its significance to basic research or clinical applications.
- Model Description: Details of the HUGO-GT humanized mouse model(s) to be generated for the study, including the specifically targeted genetic regions for humanization. This section should have sufficient supporting data (e.g. project strategies) to assess the technical feasibility of constructing such model(s). Outline the planned experiments to answer your biological questions.
- Expected Outcomes: Potential observations from your study, the impact on the field, and how the findings may advance scientific knowledge.
2. Optional Supporting Documents
Include figures, tables, or preliminary data as necessary.
3. Concise Formatting
Limit the main text of your research proposal to 1-2 pages (not including figures, tables, or references).
Confidentiality
All information submitted in applications will remain strictly confidential and reviewed solely by the grant committee. By accepting a grant, winners agree to allow Cyagen to use their name, likeness, and project details for promotional purposes.
Complimentary Custom Humanized Model Consultations
In many cases, there are a multitude of gene modification approaches that may be used to generate custom animal models. Understanding which method will provide the best results for your project plan and timeline is critical to developing a thorough application.
Not sure which gene-editing approach or humanization strategy best fits your study? Our experts are available to help you develop a customized project plan and evaluate your proposed gene targeting strategy at no cost. Cyagen’s specialists will provide:
- A tailored targeting strategy with detailed methodology.
- Guidance on custom model generation options, including wild-type (wt) humanization and mutant model development.
Contact us at animal-service@cyagen.com to schedule a free consultation and get a detailed project strategy that will support your HUGO-GT™ Grant Awards application.
Tips for Your Research Proposal
The Research Proposal is the cornerstone of your application and will be the primary factor considered by the review board during the selection process. To maximize your chances of success, ensure your proposal provides clear and comprehensive responses to the requested information. To strengthen your submission:
- Describe the Humanized Mouse Model: Detail the full-length gene humanization approach to assess the technical feasibility of constructing such model(s). Highlight why the proposed HUGO-GT™ model is particularly suited to addressing the biological questions in your study.
- Articulate Expected Outcomes: Explain the anticipated observations from your study using the HUGO-GT™ model and how these findings could advance the boundaries of knowledge in your research field. Emphasize the novelty of your proposed model and its potential impact on both basic and translational research.
- Demonstrate Feasibility and Significance: Provide a compelling argument for the technical feasibility of generating the humanized mouse model and the broader relevance of the research to clinical or scientific advancements. We recommend including a project strategy, which we can provide for free upon request.
We recommend keeping your research proposal concise and focused – aim for 1-2 pages of text using a standard 12-point font size (excluding figures, tables, and references). Figures and tables may be embedded in the text, appended at the end, or uploaded separately as supporting documents. Large images or video files can also be included as supplemental materials to strengthen your application.
By presenting a well-structured, scientifically robust, and innovative proposal, you can significantly increase your likelihood of being selected for a HUGO-GT™ Grant Award. Check out this example Sample Application to get ideas on how to write the research statement.
Confidentiality
All information submitted in applications will remain strictly confidential and reviewed solely by the grant committee. By accepting a grant, winners agree to allow Cyagen to use their name, likeness, and project details for promotional purposes.
Apply for Humanized Mouse Grants: HUGO-GT™ Grant Awards
Submit your application through the HUGO-GT™ Grant Awards submission form. Each applicant must provide:
- Name, contact information, and affiliation (if applicable).
- Research proposal (see above).
- Supporting documents (optional).
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so apply early to improve your chances of selection.
Custom Humanized Animal Model Support for Your Application
We understand that the animal model development process is not a familiar subject to all researchers, but our experts are available to help you with your project plan. Contact us with your research proposal and our experts can help you get started with a free consultation.
