The Marilyn Brachman Hoffman Foundation sponsors research and makes grants to further scientific understanding of multiple chemical sensitivity.
2025
Request for Applications
Announcement of Funding for Research on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)
February 28, 2025
The Marilyn Brachman Hoffman Foundation funds work that focuses on chemicals and the environment, One of the Foundation’s objectives is to pursue research on the causes of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) and to define measures that can be taken to improve the lives of MCS patients. The disorder was initially described 60 years ago as a condition that occurs after individuals have experienced intoxication due to exposure to a chemical, later developing symptoms in multiple body systems that can be triggered by exposure to doses of toxic chemicals at levels that do not affect most people. However, the existence of MCS as a specific physiological disorder has remained controversial, especially in the United States, where it has not been acknowledged as a distinct disease for either diagnostic purposes or disability benefits. MCS has been variably defined, and its pathogenesis remains uncertain, despite decades of research. Treatment has generally been limited to avoidance of substances that trigger MCS symptoms. The Foundation seeks to support work that will elucidate the key characteristics of MCS as a diagnostic entity and explore its pathogenesis and prevalence.
The Foundation will support two different lines of research focused on exposures to chemicals as the initiating event precipitating MCS and as the triggers that subsequently result in symptoms in affected patients:
1) RFA 1. Pathophysiology and biomechanisms underlying the development of MCS: The Foundation seeks innovative, hypothesis-driven research into the pathophysiology underlying MCS. The goal is to identify MCS mechanisms, including biomarkers of the disorder. Proposals responsive to this RFA should employ the Cullen criteria (1987), outlined in the full RFA, as the case definition for MCS. Although the disorder has often been attributed to psychiatric/psychological diseases (and dismissed for this reason), applications that focus on psychiatric explanations will not be considered for funding under this RFA. Approved research proposals will be funded up to $500,000/year for two years, plus indirect costs.
2) RFA 2. Cohort-based survey research on MCS: The Foundation seeks proposals based on prospective population-based cohort studies that include ongoing follow-up and data collection, that can incorporate questions regarding MCS symptomatology. Proposals should consider employing questions that have been used in prior survey research on prevalence of the disorder that are also appropriate and feasible for the study population. Cohorts focused specifically on populations with other chronic symptom-based disorders or illnesses (e.g., long COVID, fibromylgia, chronic fatigue syndrome) are not appropriate for this RFA. Approved research efforts will be funded up to $300,000/year for two years plus indirect costs.
Summary Key Dates
LOI due: June 1, 2025
LOI review: June-July 2025
Invitation to submit proposal: by end of July 2025
Full proposal due (if LOI accepted): 2 months after acceptance of LOI
Full proposal review: September - October, 2025
Award announcements: November - December, 2025
Sponsored Research Policies
Indirect Cost Policy: The Marilyn Brachman Hoffman Foundation policy allows payment for indirect costs of no more than 10% of direct costs on any grant. Not all grants will be eligible for any indirect cost recovery.