MOVEMENT DISORDERS FOUNDATION

In 2025, the Movement Disorders Foundation (MDF) Board of Directors provided ongoing oversight and strategic development of the YOUNG INVESTIGATOR PILOT GRANT (YIPG) program, a cornerstone of MDF's research mission. The Board focused on strengthening scientific review, enhancing accountability for funded research, refining program scope, and positioning the program for long-term growth and donor engagement. Board members reviewed progress reports from active grantees, applying qualitative and quantitative criteria. Funding decisions were contingent in some cases on clarification, revised reporting, or adjusted timelines, balancing scientific accountability with support for early-career investigators. By year-end, all 2024 awardees had received full $50,000 grants, phased according to demonstrated progress. The Board also developed draft criteria for second-year funding, considering progress, likelihood of external support, adherence to acknowledgment requirements, and alignment with MDF research priorities. Beyond grant administration, the Board emphasized donor-facing strategies, including framing YIPGs as catalytic seed investments, exploring flexible funding models, and planning salon-style donor events to highlight investigator work. The Board also evaluated a high-impact translational research opportunity at the University of Denver, considering potential alignment and collaboration with YIPG-funded projects. By the end of 2025, MDF had established a more strategic research framework, positioning the YIPG program to expand impact, support innovative early-career investigators, and bridge promising science to larger-scale funding opportunities.

In 2025, the Movement Disorders Foundation (MDF) and Rocky Mountain Movement Disorders Center (RMMDC) maintained operations of the HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE SOCIETY OF AMERICA (HDSA) CENTER OF EXCELLENCE (COE) program while navigating leadership transitions, funding adjustments, and evolving program requirements. Early in the year, RMMDC advanced its leadership transition from Dr. Rajeev Kumar to Dr. Meagen Salinas, who formally assumed COE directorship in April. In response to a nationwide HDSA funding reduction of approximately 15%, Dr. Salinas presented a revised clinic structure to preserve required services while managing costs. By June, RMMDC delivered twelve clinics, including ten fully compliant multidisciplinary sessions and two modified-service clinics, ensuring continuity of care and compliance with HDSA standards. MDF supported the Annual Rocky Mountain Huntington's Disease Family Education Day on October 18 at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus and facilitated a November 1 rebroadcast to extend outreach. In November, HDSA maintained funding for an additional six months and indicated potential structural changes to its COE network. The Board recognized that program scale and resource allocation may require reassessment as further guidance emerges. Despite operational pressures, the COE program continues to provide critical community benefit, support clinical trial recruitment, and advance care for individuals affected by Huntington's disease.