Merrills Fund Rules & Regulations
Version: October 12. 2004
Page 1 of 3
Anna's Angels
PURPOSE: To provide funds for research that will improve the cognitive and
communicative ability of individuals with Down syndrome.
1. GENERAL INFORMATION. Anna Merrills, a child with Down syndrome, was diagnosed
with acute myeloid leukemia at the age of 16 months. Her parents became interested in
providing money to support innovative research projects in Down syndrome. Once a year
grants will be made in the amount between $10,000 to a maximum of $50,000 for seed
funding to anyone in the Duke community, including the medical center, Arts and Sciences
and affiliated hospitals. A minimum of $5000 will be maintained in the account after
disbursement of funds for each annual cycle.
 Indirect costs will not be assessed.
 Funds will be directly transferred from the Fund Account to the recipient’s designated
fund code.
 The granting period will be considered to be one year (February 1 through January 31).
 Applications will be solicited on November 1st of each year with a deadline of December
15th.
2. APPLICATION & REVIEW PROCESS. Applications will be limited to no more than 5
pages in length (including references) and will follow the format of the attached application
blank. These funds cannot be used for salary support.
 Applicants must agree to acknowledge funding from “Anna's Angels" for any
publications or public presentation of work supported by these grants. Applicants must
also agree to the use of their names and the titles of their projects in any publicity used to
raise money for the Fund.
 A one page progress report will be required at the end of the budget page and should
include any grants received or applied for the project supported by Anna's Angels.
 Applications will be submitted electronically as “Word” documents.
 Applications will be reviewed by the Review Committee to be composed of the following
people.
- Dr. Joseph St Geme, Chair, Department of Pediatrics
- Dr. Thomas Kinney Associate Chair, Department of Pediatrics
Interim Chief, Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Ms. Michelle Pfeiffer, Founder and Director Anna's Angels
- Mr. Andrew Merrills, Founder Anna's Angels, Managing Partner Ogletree
Deakins

Applicants will be notified of the Committee’s decision, but reviews will not be provided.
Merrills Fund Rules & Regulations
Version: October 12. 2004
Page 2 of 3
Duke University Medical Center
Anna's Angels
Down Syndrome Research
Research Grant Application
(You must answer all questions to qualify for consideration)
Name of Applicant:
Applicant’s Primary Department:
Secondary Department (if any):
Applicant’s Duke Address:
Duke E-mail:
Applicant’s Duke Phone Number:
Fax Number:
Total Amount Requested: $
Fund Code:
JV copies to: (name & box number):
Title of Proposed Project:
Summary Of Projected Project (limit to 250 words):
Merrills Fund Rules & Regulations
Version: October 12. 2004
Page 3 of 3
Lay Summary Of Proposed Project (limit to 250 words):
Biosketch:
Other Funding:
Facilities Available:
Relationship of Proposed Budget to Other Support:
RESEARCH PROPOSAL (Please follow outline below. Use no more than 5 pages TOTAL,
including bibliography)
A.
Specific Aims
B.
Background and Significance
C.
Research Proposal
D.
Future Goals
E.
Human/Animal Subjects (for those proposals using either human or animal subjects, a
copy of the APPROVED IRB or Animal Protocol must accompany the application)