AthenaDAO funds women's
health research

We source, fund, govern, support, and incubate translational research in women's health.

We believe in a systems biology approach to research. However, to best evaluate the science we take a cohort approach to funding projects.

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Our First areas of focus

Ovarian Aging

It's affected by many factors, including genetics, BMI, environmental factors, therapies and health conditions. Progress lies in doing research to get at the underlying causes of reproductive decline in women.

Menopause

Understanding what factors cause menopause and the related health outcomes that come with it is a way into the future still

Endometriosis & Uterine Fibroids

Smooth muscle tumors that grow in the uterus from the muscle layers of the womb. Endometriosis can cause infertility and oocyte quality drop.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

We have only just scratched the surface of scientific research on endometriosis and PCOS - especially since these areas have been written in the context of other conditions.

Fertility

Fertility research is a crucial endeavor aimed at unraveling the intricate factors that influence reproductive capacity in women that enables the development of personalized interventions.

Biomarkers for all of these

Pursuing the critical research on biomarkers for ovarian aging, menopause, endometriosis and uterine fibrosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome.

Funded Projects

Targeting the cGAS-STING Pathway to delay ovarian aging

Dr. Mario Cordero, Principal Investigator at Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla (UPO) is working on the Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is an overlooked issue that currently lacks effective treatment.

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Targeting the cGAS-STING Pathway to delay ovarian aging

Dr. Mario Cordero, Principal Investigator at Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla (UPO) is working on the Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is an overlooked issue that currently lacks effective treatment.

View project
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THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH REPORT

Last year, we published our landmark Reproductive Health Report - Vol I, which established where reproductive biology is today in the critical topic of Ovarian Aging. 

Building upon the positive response and recognizing the urgent need for further awareness, we decided to make this a series and proudly present Volume II, dedicated to two prevalent overlooked conditions: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Endometriosis. These conditions not only affect the lives of countless women worldwide but also highlight the imperative role of patient and advocate-led initiatives.

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FAQs

What are the deal terms?

Terms vary on a case-by-case basis, depending on the maturity of your data, R&D plan, and team.

Who owns the IP from funder projects?

It depends on the funding terms, which are negotiated on a per project basis. In some cases AthenaDAO owns the intellectual property from the projects that it funds, either directly or in the form of an exclusive licence. In other cases the funded institution and other third parties can maintain partial or full ownership of IP.

What is the funding size?

$50-150K. Funding may be lower or higher, depending on the project, but we prioritize lower budgets.

What is the funding period?

1-2 years R&D, depending on project and funding size.

What can the funding be used for?

The funding can be used for reasonable R&D and Operations expenses, such as: researchers salaries, equipment and material cost, lab spaces, legal fees. University overhead rate for facilities and administration and other incidental costs shall be 15% at maximum.

Who can apply for AthenaDAO funding?

All researchers are welcome to apply, including professors, post-docs, research scientists, and even students. We can also fund early stage biotech startups! There is no limitation to institution or country of origin and no Web3 knowledge is required.

Which projects would AthenaDAO fund?

We would prioritize translational projects or ones with translational potential down the line. If you’re not sure whether your project is a good fit for AthenaDAO funding, you can connect with the 👉 AthenaDAO discord community for guidance, or ✉️ contact us.

What kind of research does AthenaDAO fund?

Research with translation potential in underfunded areas of female reproductive health is our focus. We particularly want to fund the projects that are ‘moonshots’ – potentially revolutionary. On occasion we will also fund more ‘basic’ research. Current areas of focus:
• Ovarian and reproductive aging
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome & Uterine fibroids
• Endometriosis

How does funding from AthenaDAO work?

You apply with a grant-style application, our team of senior reviewers (professors, scientists, biotech operators, VC investors) will provide initial feedback. We will help you polish the project to comport with industry-standards for R&D, and then you submit a final application – following which we quickly provide feedback and next steps.

(Note: Existing biotech & femtech startups are also eligible for funding from AthenaDAO.

Do I need to own IP already?

No, it’s not necessary to already own project IP.

How does the AthenaDAO application process work?

After you fill out the application form, our internal team will do a preliminary assessment and get in touch if additional information is required. A panel of senior scientists will then assess the current project cohort. After projects are approved we will negotiate the deal terms with the appropriate institution. Depending on the project, funding could be provided in full or separated by milestones.

When funding is finalized we will ask for quarterly updates on the projects.

Can I submit it regardless of the research focus?

Yes. We are interested in all women's health research project. Please submit your project here.

When are the application deadlines?

The Research Project Call for Submissions is currently closed. Please subscribe to our newsletter to hear from us about upcoming submissions dates.