Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation of Canada

The Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation of Canada (HNF Canada) is a registered Canadian charity dedicated to funding research for treatments and a cure for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, the most common hereditary neuropathy affecting approximately 2.5 million people worldwide. As a disease-specific foundation, HNF Canada focuses exclusively on advancing CMT research through direct funding to researchers and research institutions.

HNF Canada allocates funds to organizations and researchers who demonstrate progress in CMT research. The foundation focuses on research areas including: identification of mutant genes and proteins causing CMT subtypes, understanding mechanisms of nerve degeneration and muscle atrophy, developing interventions to stop or slow disease progression, and finding therapies to reverse nerve degeneration.

The foundation operates as a registered Canadian charity under the Canada Not-For-Profit Corporations Act since September 2009. All donations received are eligible for charitable donation tax receipts. The foundation states that no funds are allocated to administration, with operations accomplished by unpaid volunteers.

HNF Canada was co-founded by Clarke McKeen and his late wife Deborah after one of their sons was diagnosed with CMT 1A. The foundation was established to improve the level of support and research available in Canada for those affected by CMT.

The foundation supports Canadian patients and families affected by CMT while funding research with global impact. Research funding has been directed to McGill University, University of Florida, and University of Southern California. The foundation also contributes to training future researchers and healthcare professionals through student mentorship in research labs.

HNF Canada collaborates with research institutions including McGill University (Dr. Benoit Gentil's laboratory), University of Florida, and University of Southern California. The foundation maintains partnerships with researchers working on therapeutic approaches including gene therapy, trophic factors, and HDAC inhibitors.